Progesterone Therapy

Progesterone therapy has been around for over 50 years in the treatment of a wide variety of symptoms and diseases that are hormonally related.

The hormone progesterone literally means: ''for gestation'' - the hormone for pregnancy. It is a product of the ovaries and adrenal glands that prepares the lining of the uterus for the coming of the fertilized ovum. Progesterone hormones help the womb by stimulating and increasing blood vessels and tissue mass in the uterus creating a soft spongy bed for the embryo. If implantation does not occur, progesterone levels fall and menstruation begins.

Another important role of progesterone is that it balances or opposes the effects of estrogen in the female body. Estrogen is the female reproductive hormone that is responsible for the developmental of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts, widened pelvis, and body fat in the buttocks, thighs and hips.It regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus for pregnancy by enriching and thickening the endometrium.

Too much estrogen, however, creates a strong risk of breast cancer and reproductive cancers. If the body has insufficient progesterone, it is unable to counter estrogen levels, and the risks of developing these diseases become prominent.

This therapy is usually given to women who are going through menopause as progesterone levels naturally decline at this point. In recent years, however, it has been detected that the depletion of the production of progesterone in women can occur as early as 35 years old. Due to the difference in lifestyle that women live today, the body’s demands have become greater, thus requiring more of a bit of everything. The progesterone hormone supply has not been exempted from this. It has then become imperative for many younger women to undergo this kind of therapy to correct their progesterone levels.

Forms of Administration of Progesterone Therapy

Women considering progesterone therapy can choose among various forms of administration of the medication. Among which are oral tablets, capsules, creams or gels, rectal suspensions and suppositories. It is important though that in determining the best form of administration to use, patients and physicians keep in mind that it should always be individualized.

Extended Release Oral Tablets:

These tablets enable the production of consistent blood levels, which are critical for symptom management in PMS or menopause. This is also essential in eliminating drowsiness, normalizing erratic menstrual cycles and preventing breakthrough bleeding.

Micronized Oral Capsules:

Since these capsules metabolize quickly, it is inevitable for some side effects to occur. Side effects of these oral capsules include the''peak and valley effect,'' drowsiness and wooziness.

Creams or Gels:

Absorption of creams and gels by the body is very quick. Since medication using creams and gels need not pass through the digestive tract (thus, is not metabolized and expelled by the liver), the components of progesterone are neither altered nor contaminated, making them the most effective forms of progesterone treatment.

Rectal Suspension:

This is one of the most convenient methods of administration. Progesterone is suspended in water and is administered rectally using a small syringe or an applicator. Most physicians prefer to start their patients out using the method as it allows them to titrate the dosages more accurately.

Suppository:

Progesterone suppositories can be administered vaginally or rectally. They are wax-based suppositories that allow the consistent and even absorption of the progesterone hormones into the body. Lower dosages are most commonly used in treating ''luteal phase defects,'' and higher doses are generally used for treating PMS.

Progesterone Therapy vs. Progestin

The terms natural progesterone therapy and progestin are often interchanged. It should be noted, though, that although these two methods are used to counter the syndromes of menopause and PMS, these methods are not the same and do not have the same effect on the female body. Progestins are derivatives of progesterone used in medications like oral contraceptives or Provera. Although they are chemically structured to imitate progesterones, their effects on the body are distinctively from the effects of natural progesterones.To illustrate, synthetic progestins inhibit ovulation, thus suppressing the body's output of its own natural hormone. Natural progesterone therapy, on the other hand, does not block the body's ability to produce and utilize it’s own progesterone produce which makes it a better medication in maintaining life-promoting functions.

When to Use this therapy

1. Menstruating - After ovulation or during the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle
2. Perimenopausal - Day 1 to 23 (taking Day 1 as the first day of the calendar month) or continuously if symptoms returns throughout the 25th to 28th day.
3. Hysterectomies – If only one of the ovaries have been removed, the therapy should be taken after ovulation or the last 14 days of the menstrual cycle. If both of the ovaries have been removed, on day 1 to 23 of the calendar month. Like as prescribed for post menopausal women, medication should be taken continuously if symptoms resurface during the 25th through the 28th day.
4. Pre-pubertal, pubertal and menopausal –Since the menstrual cycle is very erratic during this stages, this therapy can be used between days 12-27 to regulate the periods or used continuously if symptoms persist during the off days.

Click here to read about the symptoms of PMS