In Australia Natural Progesterone is available as a prescription medicine and must be formulated by a compounding chemist.

Deficiency of progesterone is implicated in menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), osteoporosis (brittle bones), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menstrual irregularities, ovarian cysts, post-natal depression, infertility and breast cancer.

In Australia all products containing progesterone are available only on a doctor’s prescription. Progesterone was first manufactured in 1938 by an American biochemist named Russell E Marker. He first manufactured progesterone in a laboratory by converting another substance, diosgenin, found in the Mexican Wild Yam into progesterone through a series of chemical changes. Soon after this breakthrough pharmaceutical companies then took progesterone and changed it again to give progestagens. These are compounds with actions similar in some respects to progesterone.

Since the 1940’s progesterone has been manufactured from soya beans, wild yams and other plants. Today progesterone is produced for pharmaceutical purposes in the laboratory with the aid of an enzyme.

Research has shown that progesterone is effectively absorbed through the skin and utilized by the human body when applied as a cream, troche or oil. It is not as effective when swallowed by mouth because the liver breaks it down before it can exert an effect in the body. 

Over-the-counter remedies for hormonal imbalances may contain wild yam extracts but by law they can not contain progesterone. Beware of natural products claiming to be 'Yam Cream' or 'Progesterone Cream' but with no active ingredient.

PMS refers to a broad number of symptoms including some or all of the following:

* irritability, * headaches, * migraine

* bloating * loss of libido

* fatigue * depression

* weight gain * backache

* mood swings * fluid retention

* sore and/or lumpy breasts

These symptoms usually appear a week to ten days before a period and disappear soon after menstruation commences. They can be very severe, making some women dread "that time of the month". For others it is not quite so bad but still intrudes on their interpersonal relationships and work capabilities. The cause of much of the problem is the level of the production of oestrogen relative to progesterone. PMS symptoms are commonly referred to as the symptoms of oestrogen dominance.

Understanding the workings of the menstrual cycle can help clarify when these hormones are produced and relate this production to symptoms throughout the month.

For 14 days after the start of a period the ovaries produce oestrogen and no progesterone. Oestrogen is produced in small amounts initially then rises slowly to peak around the time of ovulation (day 14). During this time the uterine lining is building up due to the actin of oestrogen. Oestrogen levels stay high until just prior to the next period commencing. Once ovulation takes place, progesterone is produced by the ovary which released the egg. progesterone plays a crucial role in maintaining the uterine lining but also in tempering the stimulation effects of oestrogen on the body.

Many women displaying symptoms of PMS are in fact displaying symptoms of oestrogen dominance brought about by a lack of progesterone production. Irregular bleeding and emotional swings are commonly associated with annovulatory cycles. These are cycles where no ovulation takes place. If no ovulation takes place no progesterone is produced and thus PMS symptoms are usually more severe. Supplementing progesterone to women during the second stage of the cycle (days 14-28) will in many cases resolve many of these symptoms. This is achieved by using hormones natural to the body in amounts of complementary to naturally produced levels.

Builds up uterine lining

Stimulates breast tissue

Increases body fat

Salt and fluid retention

Depression, headache/migraine

Interferes with thyroid hormone

Increased blood clotting

Decreases libido

Impairs blood sugar control

Increases risk of endometrial cancer

Increases risk of breast cancer

Slightly restrains bone loss

Reduces vascular tone

Maintains uterine lining

Protects against fibrocysts

Helps use fat for energy

Diuretic

Anti-depressant

Facilitates thyroid hormone action

Normalizes blood clotting

Restores libido

Regulates blood sugar levels

Protects from endometrial cancer

Probable prevention of breast cancer

Stimulates bone building

Propagates growth of embryo

Precursor of corticosterone production

Because of its many benefits, its great safety and particularly its ability to oppose the stimulatory effects of oestrogens, progesterone deserves to play a larger part in the prevention and care of women’s health problems today.

A great deal of information is now available from many sources. Below are some suggested books that can provide balanced information regarding hormones and you.

Progesterone: The Roles of a Remarkable Hormone.

John Lee M.D. Jon Carpenter Publishing.

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

Passage to Power. Leslie Kenton. Edbury Press. Random House.