Diet & Fitness

 

Natural progesterone supplementation has been anecdotally linked to reduction in symptoms of menopause.^1,2,3 In one trial, natural progesterone was found to have no independent effect on symptoms, and synthetic progestins were found to increase breast tenderness.⁴ However, a double-blind trial found that topical administration of natural progesterone cream led to a reduction in hot flashes in 83% of women, compared with improvement in only 19% of those given placebo.⁵ Preliminary research has found that oral, micronized progesterone therapy is associated with improved quality of life among postmenopausal women. However, oral micronized progesterone is available only by prescription in the United States.⁶ Hot flashes, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sexual functioning were among the symptoms improved in a majority of women surveyed. Synthetic progestins, also available only by prescription, have reduced symptoms of menopause.^7,8,9

Progesterone is a hormone and, as such, concerns about its inappropriate use (i.e., as an over-the-counter supplement) have been raised. The amount of progesterone in commercially available creams varies widely, and the progesterone content is not listed on the label because the creams are legally regulated as cosmetics, not dietary supplements. Therefore, a physician should be consulted before using these hormone-containing creams as supplements. Although few side effects have been associated with topical progesterone creams, skin reactions may occur in some users. Effects of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remain unclear; research has suggested both increased and reduced risk.

 

Oral, micronized progesterone (200 to300 mg per day) has been shown in at least one double-blind trial to successfully induce normal menstrual bleeding in women with secondary amenorrhea.¹⁰ Use of this natural hormone should always be supervised by a doctor.

Most well-controlled trials have not found vaginally applied natural progesterone to be effective against the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.¹¹ Only anecdotal reports have claimed that orally or rectally administered progesterone may be effective.¹² Progesterone is a hormone, and as such, there are concerns about its inappropriate use. A physician should be consulted before using this or other hormones. Few side effects have been associated with use of topical progesterone creams, but skin reactions may occur. The effect of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remains unclear; some research suggests the possibility of increased risk, whereas other research points to a possible reduction in risk.

 

Some practitioners report success using topical progesterone cream for dysmenorrhea.¹³ To date, this approach lacks sufficient research.

 

Natural progesterone supplementation has been anecdotally linked to reduction in symptoms of menopause.^14,15,16 In one trial, natural progesterone was found to have no independent effect on symptoms, and synthetic progestins were found to increase breast tenderness.¹⁷ However, a double-blind trial found that topical administration of natural progesterone cream led to a reduction in hot flashes in 83% of women, compared with improvement in only 19% of those given placebo.¹⁸ Preliminary research has found that oral, micronized progesterone therapy is associated with improved quality of life among postmenopausal women. However, oral micronized progesterone is available only by prescription in the United States.¹⁹ Hot flashes, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sexual functioning were among the symptoms improved in a majority of women surveyed. Synthetic progestins, also available only by prescription, have reduced symptoms of menopause.^20,21,22

Progesterone is a hormone and, as such, concerns about its inappropriate use (i.e., as an over-the-counter supplement) have been raised. The amount of progesterone in commercially available creams varies widely, and the progesterone content is not listed on the label because the creams are legally regulated as cosmetics, not dietary supplements. Therefore, a physician should be consulted before using these hormone-containing creams as supplements. Although few side effects have been associated with topical progesterone creams, skin reactions may occur in some users. Effects of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remain unclear; research has suggested both increased and reduced risk.

Preliminary evidence suggests that progesterone might reduce the risk of osteoporosis.²³ A preliminary trial using topically applied natural progesterone cream in combination with dietary changes, exercise, vitamin and calcium supplementation, and estrogen therapy reported large gains in bone density over a three-year period in a small group of postmenopausal women, but no comparison was made to examine the effect of using the same protocol without progesterone.²⁴ Other trials have reported that adding natural progesterone to estrogen therapy did not improve the bone-sparing effects of estrogen and that progesterone applied topically every day for a year did not reduce bone loss.²⁵²⁶ In a more recent double-blind study, however, progesterone had a modest bone-sparing effect in post-menopausal women.²⁷

 

Oral, micronized progesterone (200 to300 mg per day) has been shown in at least one double-blind trial to successfully induce normal menstrual bleeding in women with secondary amenorrhea.²⁸ Use of this natural hormone should always be supervised by a doctor.

Most well-controlled trials have not found vaginally applied natural progesterone to be effective against the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.²⁹ Only anecdotal reports have claimed that orally or rectally administered progesterone may be effective.³⁰ Progesterone is a hormone, and as such, there are concerns about its inappropriate use. A physician should be consulted before using this or other hormones. Few side effects have been associated with use of topical progesterone creams, but skin reactions may occur. The effect of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remains unclear; some research suggests the possibility of increased risk, whereas other research points to a possible reduction in risk.

 

Some practitioners report success using topical progesterone cream for dysmenorrhea.³¹ To date, this approach lacks sufficient research.