Progesterone is equally as important to women as estrogen. It is made in the ovaries before menopause, and some is produced in the adrenal glands after menopause. Progesterone is the first of the hormones to start declining, typically at 30 years of age, causing many symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, pain and inflammation, osteoporosis, decreased HDL cholesterol levels, and excessive menstruation.

Stress can lower progesterone levels, resulting in anxiety and depression; many patients are then prescribed antidepressants, which again lower progesterone levels even more. Now you are caught in a Catch-22 situation, as the symptoms are being treated and not the cause. Sugar also lowers progesterone levels and is probably the number one reason besides stress that women are deficient. Saturated fats, deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and zinc can also result in low progesterone levels, as well as decreased levels of thyroid hormones.

Replacement therapy with bio-identical progesterone has very different effects on the body, as it is biologically identical to what the human body produces. Bio-identical progesterone helps balance estrogen and leaves the body much quicker. It improves sleep and has a calming effect. Blood pressure and LDL cholesterol decrease and HDL cholesterol increases. It may also offer protection against breast cancer. Ongoing studies coming out are suggesting that this is the case. It has a natural diuretic and antidepressant effect, as well as increasing the beneficial effects estrogen has on blood vessels.

Synthetic progesterone called progestin does not have the same chemical structure as natural progesterone. Consequently, progestins do not reproduce the actions of natural progesterone. Progestins are in birth control pills, such as Provera, which increase appetite, cause weight gain, fluid retention, irritability, depression, headaches, bloating, breast tenderness, decreased energy, and decreased sexual interest. They also interfere with the body's own ability to produce progesterone and do not balance estrogen. They increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol, increasing the risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Progestins do not protect the breast, in fact there are studies suggesting a link to breast cancer when combined with synthetic estrogens.

Remember your hormones are all linked in a symphony, so the ratio between progesterone and estrogen is extremely important. It is very important to test these levels prior to prescribing. In some women, estrogen may be sufficient, but progesterone is low. In this case only progesterone needs to be corrected. If progesterone is replaced and estrogen is deficient, you will become symptomatic, such as increased weight gain, increased LDL cholesterol, decreased HDL cholesterol, increased triglycerides, depression and fatigue, decreased libido, increased blood sugar and insulin resistance. Too high of progesterone breaks down protein and muscle tissue, this process may cause diseases such as fibromyalgia to worsen.

Progesterone can be replaced orally or transdermally. Compounded progesterone taken orally has beneficial effects on the GABA receptors in the brain, improving anxiety and insomnia issues; transdermal does not. Prometrium is a natural progesterone, but it contains peanut oil which, if taken daily, can cause allergic reactions in some people.

My goal is to help women understand the effects of a hormonal symphony that is out of tune, and the consequences it has on their overall health. Having the knowledge base to make an informed decision on whether bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is right for you or not empowers you to make the right decision.

For more information on this subject, contact Jan Nelson at Balanced Wellness Medical Clinic, (509) 919-4575, [email protected], www.balancedwellnessmed.com.