Natural Hormones Made Easy
Why Natural Hormones?
Since 1993, I have urged my patients to switch to Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for PMS, Menopause and Osteoporosis.
Why?
Because medical research shows a high risk of cancer in women who take synthetic hormones, especially BREAST CANCER!!!
In the Nurses Health Study published in 1995 we see reports of up to 46% increased risk of breast cancer. Despite these statistics, women are still routinely put on synthetic hormone replacement at the onset of menopause.
This is shocking and appalling to me. As a physician, I have a responsibility, “First, do no harm.” Now more than ever, my mission is to inform women to take Natural Hormones which will not harm their bodies, but rather help them through PMS and the passage of menopause. The good news is that more and more studies are shedding light on the dangers of using these toxic substances. The other good news is that the increased risk of cancer associated with HRT disappears within five years of discontinuing synthetic hormones.
1997, the dangers and side effects of synthetic hormones have been reported extensively in all aspects of the media, including front covers on such esteemed magazines as Time and Newsweek.
I was delighted to see the mainstream medical establishment confirm what I have known for so long. However, there has been a serious downside to the publication of this lifesaving information.
There has been an “explosion” of companies that are offering “yam cream” to alleviate PMS and menopausal symptoms. ALL CREAMS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!
My colleague, John R. Lee, M.D., a pioneer in the field of natural hormones, warns that:
- A cream “will not be effective if it isn’t suspended in the proper medium.”
- Products containing mineral oil can prohibit absorption.
- Unless the cream contains “Active” Wild Mexican Yam (Dioscorea) and the extraction process is meticulously followed, the cream you purchase can be almost useless.
There are so many “yam creams” currently available in natural food stores and by mail order and even at swap meets, that I have heard medical experts call this “THE YAM SCAM!”
I am dedicated to bringing you top quality products that work. Experts in the field of hormones and anti-aging agree that natural hormone supplementation keeps a woman’s body functioning at optimal health and has a powerful effect on her body’s ability to resist disease; especially cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
By the time you have read this pamphlet, I will have provided you with enough information for you to make an informed, safe choice about your natural hormone replacement therapy.
Natural Progesterone And Natural Estrogen
For Treatment Of Menopause And PMS
Welcome to Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy!!!
Let me begin your “education” or review what you already know. Strictly speaking, menopause is the cessation of menses; the end of the menstrual cycle. However, the pattern of a woman’s monthly hormone secretions actually starts to change years earlier, usually at some point in her 40’s.
The hormones of a woman’s menstrual cycle begin to shift out of balance during the perimenopausal years and become more erratic during the following years. The years before periods stop forever are called perimenopause. Many women are surprised to learn that the perimenopausal phase can last as long as ten years. During this time, some periods may be heavier or lighter than others. Cycles begin to be irregular or to be skipped completely in some months.
Perimenopause is often marked by a wide variety of symptoms reflecting the body’s response to its changing hormone balance.
These include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal area
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Anxiety, Anger, Mood Swings
- Forgetfulness or “fuzzy brain” syndrome
- Depression, feelings of despair
- Vaginal and bladder infections
- Short-term memory loss
- Joint and muscle pain
- Rapid skin aging & Loss of tone in breasts
- Fatigue and heart palpitations
Most women reach menopause at about age 51 to 55. Skipping 12 periods in a row “officially” confirms menopause.
What is Estrogen?
The word “estrogen” generally refers to the group of hormones produced by the ovary which all have similar actions. The three most important hormones of this estrogen class are Estrone E1, Estradiol E2, and Estriol E3. In popular writing however, each of these specific members of this class continue to be referred to as “estrogen.”
What Happens to Estrogen Levels at Menopause?
Your body will continue to make some estrogen from and reside in your fat cells, so your estrogen levels never actually fall to zero. However, when estrogen levels get too low a woman will experience hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness, which may not be alleviated by progesterone supplementation alone. The vaginal mucosa often shrinks and becomes thinner. In addition to the discomfort of dryness, the loss of resistance and resilience predisposes her to other problems. She may develop vaginal inflammation or vaginitis and bladder infection or cystitis. In these cases supplementation with NATURAL estrogen is indicated.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology now states that not only long-term, but short-term users of the number one prescribed synthetic hormone, a synthetic estrogen called Premarin, carry a 40 percent risk of acquiring breast cancer from Chemically-Altered Hormones.
Drug manufacturers are largely responsible for the negative side effects associated with estrogen replacement therapy. It’s an old story: drug company chemists take a natural substance, synthesize it and add a few chemical changes so that it can be patented as a new entity. The problem with this approach is twofold:
- Synthetic single molecules are devoid of cofactors that enhance or modulate their activity.
- No matter how innocuous, chemically-altered substances are foreign to the body. Synthetic ETHINYLESTRADIOL is used in estrogen supplements and birth control pills. This chemical is one you want to avoid. Women who have a history of breast cancer or uterine cancer and women who are at risk of recurrent urinary tract infections and vaginal infections, as well as women with artherosclerosis, hypertension, varicose veins, diabetes, and migraine headaches need to stay away from synthetic hormones because they will exacerbate those diseases.
The makers of Premarin (the bestselling estrogen drug) like to refer to their product as “natural”. “Premarin” is short for “pregnant mares’ urine”. Premarin is made by keeping artificially inseminated horses in stalls with collection bags strapped over their anatomy in order to collect their urine, which is then made into the drug.
“If the human consumption of horse urine is natural, then Premarin is natural...”
SIDE EFFECTS of Premarin (source: 1997 PDR)
|
|
What is Estrogen Dominance?
John R Lee, M.D., has coined a phrase he calls Estrogen Dominance. How can you know if you have what Dr. Lee calls ESTROGEN DOMINANCE in your body? The signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance are (and, by the way you can have one or many of these): water retention, breast swelling, fibrocystic breasts, PMS mood swings, depression, loss of libido, heavy or irregular menses, weight gain and craving for sweets, and fat deposits on hips and thighs.
You always knew your hormones were a little off but couldn’t quite put your finger on it. Now you have answers...
Estrogen Dominance!!
Dr. Lee states that a sign of estrogen dominance, is weight gain caused by both water retention and fat deposition at hips and thighs. This “pear shape” dilemma is a common complaint and may be due to synthetic estrogen (prescribed alone) and also the rapid drop in progesterone level that accompanies menopause.
So What Should You Do if You Have Estrogen Dominance?
According to Dr. Lee, “supplementation with NATURAL PROGESTERONE will alleviate most of these symptoms by increasing your body’s natural hormone balance. No matter how valuable estrogen is, when unopposed by progesterone, it is not something to be wholly desired in the female body. Many of estrogen’s undesirable side effects are blocked by progesterone.”
What I suggest is that you choose one of our Natural Phyto-Progesterone products to counter Estrogen Dominance.
|
Characteristics of Estrogen Dominance
|
 |
Results after Progesterone Use
|
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is the precursor for the female hormone estrogen and testosterone, the hormone produced by the testes in males. Progesterone functions as the primary precursor for all adrenal corticosteroids. Progesterone is devoid of secondary sex characteristics. The surge of progesterone in a woman’s body at the time of ovulation is the source of libido, the urge to procreate.
The roles of progesterone in procreation are:
- Causes the cervical mucus to become accessible by sperm
- Maintains the lining of the uterus for nurturing a possible fertilized ovum
- Stops ovulation in the other ovary, allowing development of baby without secondary sexual development
- Allows the baby to survive by preventing immune rejection of the fetus throughout pregnancy
- Allows full development of fetus throughout pregnancy
- Activates osteoblasts needed to increase new bone formation
- Utilizes body fat for energy during pregnancy
What is Natural Progesterone?
Today natural progesterone is mostly produced from wild Mexican yam plants and soybeans. It is not a patentable product. Therefore, money from pharmaceutical funding for progesterone research was spent in the direction of expensive patentable progestins such as synthetic birth control pills. A billion dollar industry was born when birth control pills were discovered and there was no further interest in “Natural Progesterone” by pharmaceutical houses.
What is Synthetic Progesterone or “Progestins”?
In the U.S.A. and many other western countries, the pharmaceutical industry purchases the natural progesterone which comes from wild Mexican yams and soybeans, and then changes it to make nonnatural substances called Progestins. Progestins are any chemical compounds other than natural progesterone able to sustain human secretory endometrium. They are synthetic, they are not natural progesterone. They are Progestins. Man-made. Progestins such as Provera (medroxy-progesterone acetate) do not undergo the same chemical reactions in our bodies as natural progesterone and they are not as safe to use because of their side-effects.
Dr. Niels Laursen, author of "PMS and You", says of synthetic progestins, "progestins are chemically formulated from progesterone, but rather than duplicating the properties of progesterone, these synthetic hormones react differently".
When a woman is treated with synthetic progestins, her body becomes confused, and produces less natural progesterone, causing salt buildup, fluid retention and hypoglycemia.
In addition, John R. Lee, M.D. explains, “Natural progesterone is virtually the same molecule as the progesterone the female body makes. By contrast, the synthetic Progestin has additional chemical groups that change its shape. The danger is that cells that bind progesterone will receive this false progesterone but because it is a different shape it will not function properly."
Some doctors are also confused and think natural progesterone has the same side effects as C-19 Progestin with increased serum lipid levels. But studies have shown when adding natural progesterone with estrogen there is an improved lipid profile without endometrial proliferation or hyperplasia and other side effects. (You may refer your physician to an article in OB& GYN 1989; 71: 606-612 by Hargrove et al., when they want to know how your natural progesterone will affect lipid levels). This article shows natural progesterone has a beneficial effect because it is not a C-19 Progestin.
The safety of natural progesterone has been confirmed by extensive testing at Vanderbilt University under Joel Hargrove, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Hargrove and his associates prescribe natural progesterone for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal replacement therapy, that’s what I do for my patients too.
Uterine Fibroids & Natural Progesterone
Dr. John R. Lee states that uterine fibroids are:
- Another example of estrogen dominance and anovulatory cycles.
- A consequence of progesterone deficiency.
- They generally occur in the 8-10 years before menopause.
- When sufficient natural progesterone is supplemented from day 10 to day 26 of the menstrual cycle, further growth of fibroids is usually prevented (and often the fibroids regress).
Ovarian Cysts & Natural Progesterone
Natural progesterone, given from day 5 to day 26 of the menstrual month for two or three cycles, will almost routinely cause disappearance of these cysts.
- By suppressing normal FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)
- By suppressing LH (luteinizing hormone)
- By suppressing estrogen production
- All the above gives the ovary time to heal.
Fibrocystic Breasts & Natural Progesterone
Estrogen dominance in the body causes fibrocystic breasts !
Dr. Lee states “restoring hormone balance with natural progesterone usually results in prompt clearing of the problem. When natural progesterone is used during the two weeks before the menses, fibrocystic breasts revert to normal within 2-3 months.” Also states Dr. Lee, “Using progesterone transdermally, from DAY 15 of the monthly cycle to DAY 26 will usually cause breast cysts to disappear.”
Severe Menstrual Cramps, Clotting and Natural Progesterone
Medical reports have stated that cramping starts when the adrenal gland has been drained of its cortisone reserve. Since progesterone is a precursor of cortisone, which is made by the adrenal glands if follows that by adding natural progesterone to our bodies we are supporting our adrenal glands.
Many women have found progesterone to be a pain-relieving hormone. Progesterone helps alleviate cramping pain by assisting the adrenal glands to create cortisone. Some physicians now advise the “application of one-half teaspoon of the cream to the abdomen every 30 minutes until the cramping subsides.”
Other women with a history of clotting have found that by administering progesterone cream over a period of months, they are able to resume a normal, even flow.
Endometriosis and Natural Progesterone
Estrogen dominance is a contributing factor to endometriosis. Higher doses of natural progesterone helps to normalize hormonal activity in the body. 40-60 mg daily of natural progesterone cream from DAY 5-28 of your menstrual cycle, or whenever your normal cycle ends often helps to alleviate this problem.
Women with endometriosis should avoid birth control pills or anything else that creates a higher level of estrogen in the body.
Cancer & Natural Hormones
When a woman has had cancer, and hormone replacement is clearly indicated, many doctors prefer to recommend progesterone only, because it is clearly safer. Others will recommend estriol, (but not estrone or estradiol) along with progesterone. We recommend Progonol™, our natural phyto-progesterone or Osta B3™, our 100% Estriol product. See end of pamphlet for list of recommended products.
Natural Progesterone Protects against Breast Cancer
The protective action of natural progesterone on breast cells was demonstrated in an important study in 1995 by Dr. K.J. Chang. Results indicated that unopposed estrogen increased cell proliferation by 230% whereas progesterone decreased it by more than 400%! Application of an estrogen/progesterone combination cream maintained the normal proliferation rate.
Why is this so significant?
Excessive cell proliferation (hyperplasia) is a recognized signpost of potential cancer development. Most researchers and naturopathic doctors understand completely that estrogen, especially in the form of synthetics such as Premarin, is a promoter of breast cancer and that progesterone balances or opposes the undesirable side effects of estrogen. Many studies offer solid evidence that progesterone has an important role in preventing and treating breast cancer.
***Please be aware that synthetic progestins such as Provera are NOT the same as natural progesterone.
In addition to counteracting the increased cell proliferation caused by estrogen, there are other mechanisms by which natural progesterone protects against breast cancer. A very significant study done by Dr. William Hrushesky in Albany, New York revealed that estrogen promotes delayed apoptosis. Apoptosis is the system our body has to destroy old cells. Normal cells are programmed to live for only a specified period of time and then die as new cells come to replace them. If old cells are not destroyed, it increases their risk of becoming cancerous. Natural progesterone decreases delayed apoptosis.
Thirdly, the metastasis or spread of cancer cells depends on the permeability of blood vessels which allow the cancer cells to pass through their walls. Natural progesterone reduces blood vessel permeability and thus helps protect against cancer cell metastasis.
A link has also been established between cancer and progesterone on the genetic level. Researchers B. Formby and T.S. Wiley grew cultures of cancer cells and then treated them with estrogens and progesterone. They found the estrogen alone promoted cancer growth, but when progesterone was added, tumor suppressor genes were stimulated and the cancer growth was stopped.
A study done at John Hopkins showed that the incidence of breast cancer was 5.4 times greater in women with low progesterone than in women who had good progesterone levels (regardless of age or history). The incidence of all kinds of neoplasms was tenfold higher in women with low progesterone levels as compared to women with good progesterone levels.
When breast cancer researcher, Dr. David Zada studied the estrogen and progesterone levels in breast tissue specimens taken from women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer he found that almost universally they revealed estrogen dominance and a deficiency in progesterone!
More than ten other studies demonstrated a better survival rate and longer disease-free period when women had a healthy progesterone level at the time of their breast surgery. One 20-year study showed that women with a high progesterone level at the time of their breast surgery had a significantly higher survival rate than those with a low progesterone level.
Your doctor may not be aware that natural progesterone has these protective qualities. Certainly, mainstream medicine is becoming more knowledgeable about progesterone cream. One area of resistance is that many physicians measure progesterone levels with serum (blood), but this measures only protein-bound progesterone. When progesterone is absorbed transdermally, it is not protein-bound, and travels in the blood on red blood cell membranes where it is loosely bound and readily bio-available. Saliva hormone testing is the proper way to measure this non-protein-bound progesterone. Because many physicians use only blood tests, they are very apt to say that natural progesterone is "not working." The physicians we interviewed at the Anti-Aging Conference urged us to tell you not to give up on the conventional medical community. The evidence is too strong and too abundant for them to ignore it much longer!
- Why would I want to choose this Natural Progesterone/Natural Estrogen Dr. Helen Pensanti keeps talking about?
- What exactly is natural progesterone?
- Are there any side effects from using natural progesterone or natural estrogen?
- 4. I am postmenopausal, will I start menstruating again or have breakthrough bleeding if I use natural hormones?
- My teenage daughter has heavy or irregular periods, can she use natural progesterone?
- Do hormones help vaginal dryness?
- Should estrogen be taken without progesterone?
- Is it possible to build bone back?
- Can natural progesterone help with fibrocystic breast?
- How do I know whether I need natural progesterone alone, or natural progesterone with natural estrogen?
- What if I have had breast or uterine cancer?
- I’m already on hormone replacement therapy from my doctor, why should I switch to natural hormones?
- How do I get off synthetic estrogen and/or synthetic progestins and on the natural?
- Can I mix synthetic estrogen with natural progesterone?
- How long should I be on natural hormone replacement therapy?
- Why is transdermal absorption so good?
- What if I prefer not to use a cream?
- How long before I notice changes in my body?
- What if I’m allergic to milk products?
- What do I say to my physician who thinks this is silly?
- How safe is Natural Progesterone?
- How old is too old for Natural Hormones?
- I think I have Estrogen Dominance but I felt worse after I started natural progesterone. Why?
- Why doesn’t my doctor know more about Natural Hormone Therapy?
- What if I have no symptoms? Do I still need natural hormones?
- If I am still menstruating, how do I use Natural Progesterone?
- Will Natural Progesterone help uterine fibroids?
- I have had a hysterectomy, but still have my ovaries. Do I need natural hormones?
- What if I don’t have a uterus and am taking estrogen? My doctor says I do not need progesterone.
- I have been told I have very low estrogen levels, yet I fit into the symptoms of estrogen dominance. How can this be?
- Will natural hormones affect my thyroid medication?
- What if I have hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and I have had breast cancer. What can I do to get relief?
- I read Dr. Lee's first book and he did not seem to mention the need for estrogen supplementation, only progesterone. Why?
- How will I know if I am using too much natural hormone cream?
- I have been told I have Osteoporosis, how do I use Natural Progesterone?
- What about blood tests for Hormones?
- Why is it important to stay on Natural Hormones?
- What about some of the new “designer estrogens” that are supposed to be more natural than the synthetics?
- Why can’t I buy just any phyto-hormone cream on the market?
- What is a hot flash?
- What is a night sweat?
Night sweat is a hot flash that occurs during sleep. A sudden explosive physiologic phenomenon lasting 3 to 4 minutes accompanied by increased profuse sweating and increased peripheral skin temperature.
Dr. Pensanti recommends the use of natural progesterone to relieve hot flashes with 0% cancer risk, 0% heart attack risk, 0% stroke and blood clot risk.
Click here for more information (adobe acrobat required)
Dr Pensanti recommends the following products:
Menopause Relief Cream Click here
42. What is Vaginal Dryness?
Menopause causes a woman's hormone levels to fall. Lower hormone levels result in a decrease in vaginal moisture. Vaginal tissues thin out and become less elastic and very painful.
Symptoms include
• Itching
• Sensitiveness,
• Irritation
• Tenderness,
• Inflammation, and
• General discomfort.
Severe case can lead to continued dryness, yeast infections and vaginitis.
Dr. Pensanti recommends the use of natural progesterone to relieve hot flashes with 0% cancer risk, 0% heart attack risk, 0% stroke and blood clot risk.
Click here for more information (adobe acrobat required)
Dr Pensanti recommends the following products:
Menopause Relief Cream Click here
Ostaderm V Click here
- What can I do if I want to study natural hormones in more depth?
Natural Progesterone (Phyto-Progesterone) and Natural Estrogen (Phyto-Estrogen) are important plant hormones almost identical to what our bodies excrete. They have helped many women who suffer with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, PMS, mood swings, depression, heavy and/or irregular periods, water retention, weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, bone fragility and osteoporosis as well as loss of sex drive and loss of energy WITHOUT the dangerous side effects of synthetic hormones.
The advantages of Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for perimenopausal and menopausal and postmenopausal women are now quite clear:
• Prevention of osteoporosis & restoration of bone strength
• Reduced hot flashes & reduced vaginal dryness/thinning
• Better maintenance of muscle mass & strength
• Protection against heart disease & stroke
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Reduced risk of endometrial cancer & breast cancer
• Reduced risk of depression
Natural progesterone comes from plant sterols. It matches the chemical composition of our body’s own progesterone. Wild Mexican yam and soybeans plant are the most common source today.
Any side effects from natural progesterone are associated with dosage, and can be easily alleviated by changing the amount and frequency of the dosage
In the PMS age group, using too much natural progesterone may delay the period a day or two. This effect may occur as early as the first month or as late as four months of use. Discontinuing the natural progesterone will cause the period to start, then natural progesterone can be resumed after 7 days, but use a lower dose, please.
Women using birth control pills or nursing women should not use natural progesterone for PMS symptoms.
Menopausal women might notice some spotting when they begin using natural progesterone. This should be alleviated with continual use and is nothing to fear. If it persists, consult your physician.
The Postmenopausal age group should not have any side effects at all. Occasionally, upon beginning use of natural hormone supplement, postmenopausal woman could experience some breakthrough bleeding or a “period”. This rarely happens, but if it should, it 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. There have been reports of temporary incidental spotting. This stops after three months. Any persistent problems should be checked by your physician.
Yes. With women and teenagers who are irregular, the period is trying to regulate on a 28-day cycle. With continued use, periods will become regular and the spotting will be alleviated. This sometimes takes 3-4 cycles.
Vaginal dryness can occur in women of all ages for various reasons. It is primarily present in post menopausal women as hormone levels drop. Natural hormones, especially those containing estrogen, can be used and have been very successful in treating vaginal dryness and vulvar dystrophy associated with aging. We suggest using Ostaderm V which often rebuilds and restores vaginal tissue within 6 weeks. We also suggest Vitamin E and essential fatty acids (EFA’s) to lubricate vaginal tissues.
Definitely not! It is recommended that natural progesterone be used with any form of estrogen, natural or synthetic. Estrogen without progesterone can cause endometrial and vaginal carcinomas as well as breast cancer. Estrogen alone blocks thyroid and causes water retention, and it can cause fibrocystic breast disease and even fibroid tumors and cysts.
Yes, natural progesterone helps to build bone back, even in older women. According to Dr. John Lee, the most important factor in osteoporosis is lack of progesterone which causes a decrease in new bone formation. Estrogen plays the role of slowing bone loss, but it is progesterone that plays the lead in building bone. Adding natural progesterone will actively increase bone mass and density, and can reverse osteoporosis.
Yes, fibrocystic breasts usually respond well to progesterone therapy in about 3-4 months. One common factor often found in women with fibrocystic breasts is a higher level of circulating estrogen, indicating a hormonal imbalance. Progesterone is the precursor hormone and it helps normalize all other endocrine and hormonal activity in the body. In the case of fibrocystic breasts, it will assist in balancing the level of estrogen in the body. Once the fibrocysts are under control, use a lesser dose of progesterone to maintain results.
PMS = If you personally have a history of reproductive organ or breast cancer, I recommend only natural progesterone. If you have breast pain or tenderness you might want to stick with natural progesterone, too.
MENOPAUSE = If you personally have a history of reproductive organ or breast cancer, I recommend only natural progesterone. If you have breast pain or tenderness you might want to stick with natural progesterone, too. All others can use a combination of natural progesterone and natural estrogen.
Choose natural progesterone products only. My recommended choice is Progonol™ or Progon B™.
Natural hormones are a Natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. We have already discussed the multiple risks of using synthetic hormones. One of the biggest studies we have to date, the Nurses’ Health Study, showed in June 1995 that women taking synthetic estrogen alone had a 36% increase in their risk of breast cancer; those on synthetic estrogen plus “progestin” had a 50% increase; those on “progestins” alone had a 240% increase risk of breast cancer.
Women who at the time of the study had been taking estrogen and progestin for five to ten years had a 46% increase in their risk of breast cancer.
Also, the older a woman was, the higher the risk. Women between the ages of sixty and sixty-four who had been taking synthetic hormones for five years or more had an increase risk of developing breast cancer by 71%. This is important when you look at the way hormones are being marketed to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease. Women are told to start taking hormones at age fifty and continue them for the rest of their lives. This is why it is so important to switch to natural progesterone.
If you are taking synthetic estrogen (ERT) for a number of years, whether by itself or in combination with synthetic progestin and decide to get off it, you should do this slowly to allow your body time to readjust. To decrease ERT or to get off it, cut down very gradually over a three-month period. For the first month, use your synthetic every other day while using the natural hormone replacement. If using the patch, cut it in half. For the second month, take synthetic every 3rd day, or cut the patch in quarters (paper tape used for gauze bandages may be used to hold a partial estrogen patch in place). For the third month, take synthetic every 4th day. Go off estrogen patch totally. When you do it this way, your body can readjust and hot flashes usually won’t come back. If you go off synthetic estrogen too suddenly, the symptoms may return with a vengeance. However, we have reports of many women who quit “cold turkey” and switch to natural hormones with minimal discomfort. If someone is taking synthetic progestin, in combination with synthetic estrogen, once they have begun using natural progesterone, simply cease the use of synthetic progestin (Provera) at the end of its current 12 day cycle of use.
If you are unwilling or unable to discontinue your synthetic estrogen, please try adding natural progesterone to your daily regime. It will decrease your cancer risk.
Progesterone is an excellent protector against osteoporosis (as demonstrated by bone density testing). It’s also a great help for sexually active females with vaginal dryness causing painful intercourse. It is recommended that women should use natural hormones a minimum of five years but each individual woman may use them as long as they feel the hormones are of benefit to their bone density and skin texture. Women who feel younger and more mentally alert on natural hormone products should use them indefinitely three weeks out of the month. One week of low hormone levels maintains receptor sensitivity and mimics the body’s natural hormone production.
Natural hormones are small, fat soluble molecules which are readily absorbed through the skin. They pass directly into the skin to the subcutaneous fat layers, then to blood circulation. So first it goes into body fats and then into the blood.
We have oral pellets, or oral caplets available as well as some that are absorbed directly under the tongue.
Click Here to Order "Oral Progesterone"
Some women report immediate improvement. However, it may require up to 3 months use before maximum benefits are experienced. Don’t give up too quickly. Use the adequacy of vaginal secretions as your guide. If you notice your vagina is moist and your mood is even, you are on the right track! My patients report a 4-6 week use before noticing sexual interest, so persevere if you are looking for this particular benefit.
Lactose intolerants should not order Phyto-B, Progon-B or Osta B3.
There is nothing new under the sun! This formula is the same base as 400 FDA drugs on the market today. We just don’t add synthetic chemicals to it. More and more physicians are finding out that synthetic hormones have too many undesirable side effects. I receive inquiries almost everyday from M.D.’s who want to switch their patients to natural hormones.
The safety of natural progesterone is well established. There have been no reports to the FDA of problems with it, hence the FDA permits the sale of progesterone cream at the levels we offer our patients without a prescription.
Natural hormone supplementation is beneficial to women of all ages in order to maintain optimal health and vitality. It is particularly beneficial in the area of osteoporosis prevention. A study was conducted with a hundred patients who ranged in age from 38 to 83 years. They were all menopausal or post menopausal. Each patient was followed a minimum of three years.
In the 63 women given natural progesterone, the benefit proved to be extraordinary showing that in three years, instead of losing 4.5 percent of bone as expected, the subjects actually increased their bone density by an average of 15.4 percent, regardless of their age.
Further, the study refuted the myth that osteoporosis is irreversible for older women, or even that it is more difficult to correct. Indeed, test subjects over the age of 70 showed even better results than those under the age of seventy.
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
According to Dr. John R. Lee, estrogen dominance tunes down the estrogen receptors. The body is trying to protect itself from too much estrogen. When Progesterone is started, it temporarily increases the sensitivity of these estrogen receptors.
Your body is actually restoring estrogen dominance for awhile as the receptors resume normal sensitivity. At this time, there may be a period of adjustment when some women experience various uncomfortable symptoms that flare up as swollen breasts, weight gain, water retention, and headaches.
These estrogen side effects last only for the first month or two. By the third month, the body’s progesterone level will rise sufficiently high to oppose this action. Dr. Lee’s suggestion to women with these problems, therefore, is that if you will just persevere for two to three months, these symptoms will subside and you will begin to feel great.
Many doctors have little enough time to keep up with the world of double-blind, placebo-controlled drug trials reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, The New England Journal of Medicine, and other top-of-the-line medical journals and are completely in the dark about the use of natural hormones. Their use isn’t taught in any medical school or promoted by any pharmaceutical company (the other major source of information for nearly all “conventional” physicians.) With no multinational drug industry to pay the enormous costs, the large definitive studies that might demonstrate the efficacy and safety of natural hormones will likely never be done. Almost all doctors see only studies of the benefits and risks of Premarin®, Provera®, and other patentable “hormone” studies which the pharmaceutical industry has conducted itself or underwritten.
Dr. Betty Kamen states in her book “Hormone Replacement Therapy: Yes or No?” that even if you don’t have menopausal symptoms and have a good diet and exercise regularly, the use of natural progesterone is still recommended to keep your body hormonally balanced. Natural progesterone helps support the adrenals, our stress glands, and helps protect against breast cancer.
You use natural progesterone from day 12 through 26 of your menstrual cycle. You do not need natural progesterone cream while menstruating and can stop using the cream when menstruation occurs. However, if you experience cramps or other symptoms during menstruation, you may use natural progesterone until the symptoms dissipate. Try rubbing the cream on your lower abdomen during menstrual cramping. If you have migraines during your cycle, rub the cream on the back of your neck or on your temples every 3 to 4 hours until your symptoms cease (usually 1 to 2 applications). If you have symptoms prior to ovulation (i.e., migraines), you may begin using natural progesterone earlier, and use until menstruation begins.
As time goes by and symptoms diminish, try cutting back each month on the amount of natural progesterone you use. If symptoms return, resume the previous usage, and try to cut back the following month.
Ultimately your goal is to be symptom free. If you have no symptoms for several months and symptoms recur, resume using natural progesterone on an as needed basis.
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
Estrogen dominance can result in uterine fibroids: fibrous, noncancerous lumps that grow in the uterus. Estrogen stimulates their growth and lack of estrogen causes them to atrophy. Fibroids always shrink at menopause when estrogen levels are low. However, contemporary medical treatment is usually surgical, often a hysterectomy. Natural progesterone offers a better alternative for many women. When sufficient natural progesterone is replaced, fibroid tumors no longer grow in size and often decrease. In most cases they can be kept from growing until menopause when they will atrophy. Ultrasound follow-up can be used to check results. Protocol for using natural progesterone is from day 8 through day 26 of the menstrual cycle.
Yes. Following hysterectomy, the blood supply to the ovaries is significantly reduced and therefore so is their ability to produce progesterone. Within 2 years of the hysterectomy estrogen production usually falls to postmenopausal levels.
Although this is the conventional medical approach, it is very misguided according to Dr. John Lee and other experts in the field of hormones. You should always take progesterone along with estrogen with or without a uterus due to the increased risk of breast cancer associated with estrogen dominance. I believe that this also applies to some of the soy products on the market today such as Promensil.
According to Dr. John Lee who first coined the phrase “estrogen dominance”, it describes a condition in a woman’s body where she has deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen but has little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Therefore, even a woman with low estrogen levels can be estrogen dominant.
It seems to be true that estrogen dominance interferes with or inhibits thyroid hormone activity and progesterone facilitates it. Therefore, you may need a reduced dose of your thyroid medication after a few months of progesterone therapy. Some women eventually are able to discontinue thyroid supplementation entirely.
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
There are several things you can do to help with hot flashes: first, use a good quality natural progesterone, 1/4 tsp daily. This may alleviate up to 85% of your hot flashes according to a recent study by Dr. Leonetti. Take Vitamin E up to 1000 IU per day.
Essential fatty acids should be taken daily. Also a good B complex containing B6 helps many women. Decrease consumption of caffeine, spicy foods and large meals during periods of increased hot flashes. Because hot flashes are a temperature-control problem (changes in the hypothalamus associated with lower hormone levels trigger a cooling response at inappropriate times), keep a thermos of ice water on your night stand or in your refrigerator and sip during hot flashes.
Keep your room temperature at home at 65 degrees. Use deep breathing techniques. Slight exercise has been shown to increase the amount of estrogen circulating in the blood.
During severe episodes, apply 1/4 tsp of progesterone cream every 15 minutes for one hour following the episode.
For vaginal dryness or discomfort, use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of progesterone cream once a day intravaginally. This may be in addition to or instead of your daily applications, dependent on severity of your symptoms. Many women also report success with the insertion of a Vitamin E capsule into the vagina once daily until symptoms are relieved.
Since Dr. Lee published his first book he has found that there are 3 areas in which natural progesterone may not be enough for some women. (He has addressed this issue in his second book.)
These are: hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
These symptoms may require the hormone estrogen for maximum relief. Of course, he advocates only natural forms of estrogen! Remember, Premarin is NOT natural. We have specially blended formulas that contain both natural progesterone and natural estrogen in the amounts needed by the body. I like to advocate the phytoestrogen-progesterone blend for women over the age of 40 who are not menstruating because I find it helps with skin tone and sagging breasts.
The use of too much natural progesterone may cause breast tenderness or drowsiness. Since natural progesterone usually increases energy, this is easy to spot. Too much natural estrogen also may cause breast tenderness at the nipple area or a woman with a uterus may even experience some spotting. The effects of using too high a dose are reversible by returning to normal levels.
Our goal is to keep you balanced! We want to mimic the doses of hormone your body would make if it was healthy and balanced, not give you a pharmacological dose which is how most drugs are used. I personally think it is very important to purchase your natural hormone products from a reputable source with access to a knowledgeable support system so that you can get your questions answered if any symptoms or questions arise.
For people with mild osteoporosis or for prevention of osteoporosis, use 1 oz. of natural progesterone cream (half a tube) each month, skipping the first seven days. This is slightly less than 1/4 tsp per day.
If you have severe osteoporosis or have experienced fractures, we recommend using at least 2 oz. natural progesterone (a full tube) or more each month, skipping the first seven days. This is at least 1/4 - 1/2 tsp per day.
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
Blood tests for hormones are unreliable. They do not reflect the bioreactive (unbound) level of hormones and will not give an accurate reading. There are new salivary hormone tests, which are the most effective way to test your hormone level when using natural hormones.
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the steroid hormones. The others include pregnenolone, androstenedione, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol. These hormones affect: Brain, Bones, Circulation, Muscles, Kidneys, Liver, Reproductive Organs, Nerves, Immune System, They have a powerful effect on the body’s ability to resist disease, especially: Cancer, Heart disease, Respiratory disease, Circulatory disease (stroke), Brain disease, Osteoporosis, Arthritis
Each of these hormones is related to or made from one another. Therefore, any imbalance has a profound effect! As we age our progesterone levels fall to zero and we lose the intrinsic effects of progesterone. An overriding message from anti-aging doctors and researchers is that after menopause, women should have natural hormones on their “shopping should have natural hormones on their “shopping list” for the rest of their lives in order to have optimal health! The experts agree that women should be supplementing with natural hormones for about 3 weeks out of a month, even if you are not suffering from symptoms of menopause or any other disease process. You can see that in order to maintain your body in optimal health the hormone levels must be kept healthy and balanced! So Add a Good Natural Hormone to YOUR “SHOPPING LIST!”
Although I am pleased to note that more and more drug companies are beginning to talk about “natural” alternatives, many of these new “designer” estrogens are not found in nature and still are synthetic to our bodies. We just don’t know enough about the effects and side effects of these drugs. Why should you be the guinea pig when you can use estrogen that is identical to what your own body produces?
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
Beware the Yam Scam!!! You can’t get enough of a significant amount of phyto-hormones from eating Mexican yams or using creams squeezed from the pulp. The human body does not possess the chemical cofactors required to convert them to useful hormones. These can only be extracted from the wild Mexican yam, turning it into what we call “Active” Wild Mexican Yam cream. This important scientific fact has not stopped a few entrepreneurs from marketing yam products as sources of various steroid hormones. Please don’t be fooled! If you purchase a progesterone or DHEA creams, make sure it actually contains “active” wild Mexican yam from Dioscorea.
Many of you have sent me samples of inexpensive yam cremes (some as low as $7.00) to evaluate. These won’t work because extraction methods of wild yams are critical to the efficacy of a product. If you destroy some of the plant’s natural enzymes, peptides, or other phytosterols, you risk leaving many of the natural substances behind.
Also, when choosing a starter material for my formulas, it is extremely important that I know the origin of a species. Many yam-based products sold today are extracted from harvested species of yams treated with fertilizers and pesticides, which may end up in the final extracts. Pesticides will mimic estrogens and definitely destroy the endocrine balance. (You may have heard the term “Xenoestrogens” before.) That’s why selection, cleaning and processing of the raw materials is of the utmost importance to me.
It is my top priority to help make using natural hormones a positive experience. Most health food stores are not equipped to handle medical questions about any unusual symptoms that may arise such as spotting, breast tenderness or other symptoms when using natural hormones. My trained medical support staff has over 30 years cumulative experience in office gynecology to help customers with any symptoms that may arise as you begin your natural phytohormone therapy.
Hot flash is a sudden explosive physiologic phenomenon lasting 3 to 4 minutes accompanied by increased digital perfusion and increased peripheral skin temperature. Dr. Pensanti recommends the use of natural progesterone to relieve hot flashes with 0% cancer risk, 0% heart attack risk, 0% stroke and blood clot risk.
Click here for more information (adobe acrobat required)
Dr Pensanti recommends the following products:
Menopause Relief Cream Click here
You may write to B.L.L. Publishing, P.O. Box 2068, Sebastopol, CA 95473. Send $12.95 for Natural Progesterone, The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone by John R. Lee, M.D.
Dr. Pensanti thinks Dr. Lee is probably the most knowledgeable researcher in this field today. If you want to get into this subject, this is the book you will want to buy. But remember, the book is written for other physicians and the language is medically sophisticated.
He has also written two other books available in most major book stores. “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” and “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Perimenopause.”
Click Here to Order "Progesterone Cream"
Please feel free to call
(714) 542-8333, (800) 301-1982 for help
Fax (949) 733-1877
| Copyright Statement ¦ Webmaster / Feedback ¦ Privacy Statement ¦ Orange County SEO | © 2008 Helen Pensanti, M.D. |