FAQs About Happy PMS Natural Progesterone Cream

Where should I apply natural progesterone cream?

Natural progesterone (derived from the Mexican wild yam root) in a moisturizing cream can be applied to the face, hands, chest, breast,inner arms, soles of feet, and in cases of osteoporosis, to the entire trabecular spine. The cream is readily absorbed, bio-identical in its progesterone and leaves no trace after a few minutes. During absorption the cream bypasses the liver and goes to specific receptor sites where progesterone is needed. When the action is completed, residue is then excreted from the body.  Absorption rate varies from person to person as does the relative need for progesterone.

PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is different. Some women require more progesterone cream to alleviate symptoms, while others can use less.

For the first 3 months, use one 2 oz. jar per month. Then try cutting back on the amount of natural progesterone each month. If symptoms return, resume previous usage. It is important to stop using progesterone cream at least five days each month.

How do I know if I should use natural progesterone?

If you have PMS symptoms. PMS symptoms are those symptoms which occur consistently a week or 10 days before the period and stop with or shortly there after.

If you have Estrogen Dominance symptoms. These symptoms are water retention, breast swelling, fibrocystic breast, uterine fibroid,loss of libido, mood swings, depression, craving for sweets , and weight gain with fat deposited at hips and thighs.

If you have menopausal symptoms. Estrogen continues to be produced from the fat in cells even after menopause; however,progesterone production virtually ends.   Hot flashes are the most prominent symptoms of menopause.

Osteoporosis. Women over 50 years of age should use natural progesterone cream to prevent osteoporosis.

When do I use natural progesterone cream?

If you are still menstruating, use one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of cream twice a day after ovulation (which is generally12-14 days from the first day of menstrual flow) until day 26. You do not need natural progesterone while menstruating; however, if you experience menstrual cramps try rubbing a small amount of cream on the lower abdomen. For migraines, rub cream on back of your neck.

If you have menopausal symptoms and are still menstruating, use one-fourth to one-half teaspoon cream twice per day beginning with the 10th day from day one of menstruation until day 26. [After 3 months, start using cream 12-14 days from day 1 of menstruation until day 26.]

If you have menopausal symptoms and are not menstruating; have osteoporosis or for prevention of osteoporosis, use based on calendar month. Use one-fourth to one-half teaspoon twice per day beginning on the 8th day of each calendar month and continue for the remainder of the month.

Can natural progesterone be used during a pregnancy?

Some would say, and we would agree, that natural progesterone cream is essential to nearly every woman these days during pregnancy.  In his book, “Premenstrual Syndrome & You”, Neils H. Lauersen,M.D., from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, states that natural progesterone may be helpful to maintain pregnancy. The creamin not only safe for use during pregnancy but is recommended. From conception to delivery, apply primarily to abdomen, breast, low back, and upper thighs (where it will tend to prevent the skin from stretching). For the first six months of pregnancy, use an average of 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon 2 to 3 times a day. Discontinue at delivery and resume again at a level of twice per day starting one month after delivery. The cream is also useful for post-partum depression,which many women experience after childbirth.

Can young girls use natural progesterone cream?

Yes. Low estrogen levels can adversely affect the general health of  girls between the ages of 9 and 13.  For a year or more before the onset of menstruation, blood calcium levels are so low that young girls often develop symptoms associated with menarche,which are usually accepted as normal behavior: emotional outbursts, irritable and temperamental behavior, and compulsive consumption of sweets.  During puberty, the maturing ovaries require calcium to produce estrogen, thus deverting calcium from metabolic requirements.  Introducing natural progesterone at this time will alleviate most of the symptoms mentioned above.  Continued use of natural progesterone through the teenage years will maintain a high level of wellness with few or no PMS complaints.

What exactly is natural progesterone and how does it

differ from synthetic progesterone?

Natural progesterone, a cholesterol derivative, comes from the Mexican yam or soybeans. It matches exactly the chemical formulation of the body’s own progesterone and thus causes no side effects.

Manufacturers of synthetic progesterone alter the chemical makeup of progesterone in order to create progestins. Progestins in their altered molecular structure may cause many side effects, such as birth defects or abortion, fluid retention, epilepsy, migraine,asthma, cardiac or kidney dysfunction and depression.

Can natural progesterone help with endometriosis or fibrocystic breast?

One common factor in both these conditions is a higher level of circulating estrogen, indicating a hormonal imbalance.

Progesterone-which helps to normalize all other endocrine hormonal activity in the body-may help to clear these conditions by helping to lower the level of estrogen.

Do natural hormones help vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness can occur in women of all ages for various reasons, but it is primarily present in post menopausal women.

Natural hormones in a cream base can be used intravaginally and has been very successful in treating vaginal dryness and vulvar atrophy associated with aging.

Should estrogen be used without natural progesterone?

Definitely not. It is very important that natural progesterone be used with any form of estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone cancause endometrial and vaginal carcinomas. Estrogen blocks thyroid production and causes water retention; and it can cause fibrocystic breast disease and even fibroid tumors and cysts in the ovary area.

Do I need a prescription for natural hormones?

No. Natural progesterone in a cream or oil base comes from Mexican yams/or soybeans which is technically a food product.

I am already taking hormones from my doctor why should Iswitch to natural hormones?

Natural hormones are simply an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Synthetic progesterone (known as progestins) has many side effects, and synthetic estrogen can be dangerous to your health, especially if taken without any progesterone. If someone is taking both synthetic estrogen and progestins, a gradual step is to substitute natural progesterone cream; and gradually reduce the synthetic estrogen. (Reduce estrogen by one-half and continue to reduce over 90 days until discontinued use).

I’m post menopausal, will I start menstruating again if I use natural hormones?

Occasionally upon beginning use of natural hormone supplement, a post menopausal woman could experience some breakthrough bleeding, or a “period.” This is a perfectly normal response and is nothing to cause alarm.  The progesterone is simply causing the body to rid itself of excess stored estrogen which can sometimes stimulate a uterine shedding-thus breakthrough bleeding. If this continues for longer than several months you should consult a physician.

I have facial hair, especially above my upper lip, that requires shaving occasionally. What causes this?

This is a condition called hirsutism” (defined as excessive growth of facial and body hair). It indicates that there is ahormonal imbalance between estrogen, testosterone (the dominant male hormone) and progesterone. Progesterone acts as a regulator for the entire endocrine system. A woman who has the hirsute problem probably has PMS too. Both menopausal and menstruating women have reported that facial hair (and body hair) decreased or completely disappeared after three to six months of regular application of cream twice a day. Natural progesterone is needed to effect proper hormonal balance.

Is natural progesterone useful for hysterectomized,oophorectomized and menopausal women?

Yes. Many women experience hot flashes following premenopausal hysterectomy (removal of uterus) or oophorectomy (complete removal of ovaries) and in the beginning of the natural onset of menopause.

The cream which contains natural progesterone is reported to be effective for relieving symptoms of hot flashes.  Most women have reported a complete cessation of flushing within 3 to 8 weeks.

Is natural progesterone indicated for osteoporosis?

Many medical authorities tell female patients who are post-menopausal that osteoporosis is inevitable. A physician in Mill Valley California, John R Lee, has proven that this often repeated statement is simply untrue. The results of his ongoing clinical study with 100 women is noteworthy. All have experienced new bone density ranging from 5 to 40 percent for women who have used natural progesterone cream from 6 to 48 months. His results also indicated this therapy is successful even several decades after menopause. One of his patients, who is 82 years of age and has been using natural progesterone cream for four years, has a greater than 40 percent new bone density as proven by dual photon absorpriometry. Dr. Lee has proven that osteoporosis is not only preventable, but is also reversible in most cases.

Can I use natural progesterone if there is family history

of breast or uterine cancer?

Yes. Breast cancer and endometrial cancer occur in tissue sensitive to gonadal hormones. Unopposed estrogen is the only known cause of endometrial cancer, though there may be other factors involved. Estrogen, or at least one or more of the various estrogens, are thought to contribute to breast cancer.   Progesterone balances the estrogen level in the body, thus lessening the risk.

Can men use natural progesterone?

Men over 45 can use natural progesterone. One benefit is an increase in the libido. Progesterone is the precursor of testosterone.   Testosterone can stimulate new bone formation, increasing bone density; a lack of it can cause osteoporosis. Older  men with rheumatoid arthritis have reported relief from pain and swelling after rubbing natural progesterone in a cream base on their joints.

Are there any other benefits of natural progesterone use?

Additional benefits for women include: improved brain function, diminished muscular aches and pains, improvement of skin problems including acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis and keratoses, and improved sleep pattern.

Recommended Reading

John R. Lee, M.D. with Virginia Hopkins What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause.

The Breakthrough Book on Natural Progesterone. New York: Warner Books, 1996.

John R. Lee, M.D., Jesse Hanley M.D., and Virginia Hopkins, best selling authors of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause. Warner Books, 1999.

Special thanks to Linda Zeller for allowing me to reprint this information.