This information is based on the work of the internationally renowned Dr. John Lee, MD, an authority
and pioneer in the use of progesterone cream to achieve natural hormone balance. It is not intended
to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition. You are strongly encouraged to discuss topics of concern with a licensed health care professional.
Q: Who was Dr. Lee?
Over a decade ago, Dr. John Lee first published his research conclusions regarding the health risks associated with the synthetic hormones used in hormone replacement therapy. He is known as the medical doctor who pioneered the use of transdermal progesterone cream to achieve safe and effective hormonal balance.
The Organic Excellence progesterone creams are formulated to the specifications outlined in Dr. Lee's best-selling book, "What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause."
Q: What are hormones?
Hormones are essentially chemical messengers that transport signals from one cell to another. Cells respond to a hormone when they express a specific receptor for that hormone. The hormone binds to
the receptor resulting in the activation of cell type-specific responses.
The glands of the endocrine system produce 39 different hormones. Each has a specific role, yet they work together to regulate metabolism and immune function, control the reproductive cycle, assure proper growth, and to prepare the body for a new phase of life, such as puberty, childbirth, and menopause.
Q: What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at ovulation. In women with a normal menstrual cycle, the body produces 20 to 30 mg of progesterone daily during the luteal phase (ovulation). Progesterone is also produced, to a smaller degree, by the adrenal glands.
Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone.
Progesterone is the "master hormone" and is the only hormone that converts into other hormones as needed to create a balancing affect on the entire endocrine (hormonal) system.
Q: What is "estrogen dominance?"
About 10 - 15 years before menopause, women experience seemingly normal cycles, however ovulation has not actually occurred. Known as anovulatory cycles, without ovulation, the body does not produce progesterone. With increasingly more anovulatory cycles, progesterone levels continue to drop allowing estrogen levels to become "unopposed" or in excess.
The uncomfortable symptoms associated with the perimenopause years are the result of too little progesterone and too much estrogen, or "estrogen dominance." An excess of estrogen is linked to an increased risk for breast and reproductive cancers.
In his bestselling book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause," Dr. John R. Lee MD
lists the following effects of estrogen:
- Creates proliferative endometrium
- Breast cell stimulation (fibrocystic breasts)
- Increased body fat and weight gain
- Salt and fluid retention
- Depression, anxiety, and headaches
- Cyclical migraines
- Poor sleep patterns
- Interferes with thyroid hormone function
- Impairs blood sugar control
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Little or no libido effect
- Loss of zinc and retention of copper
- Reduced oxygen levels in all cells
- Causes endometrial cancer
- Increased risk of breast cancer
- Increased risk of prostate cancer
- Restrains bone loss
- Reduces vascular tone (dilates blood vessels)
- Triggers autoimmune diseases
- Creates progesterone receptors
- Prevents vaginal dryness & mucosal atrophy
- Increases risk of gall bladder disease
Q: What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause refers to the years before menopause and often occurs earlier in life than you might expect. Perimenopause begins when hormonal changes have become obvious, anytime between your mid 30's to your late 40's. Since the average age of menopause is 51, perimenopause can span
5 - 15 years of your life.
Although many women think of menopause as a long process, it is actually a point in time. You reach menopause when an entire 12 months have passed without a menstrual cycle. One year later, you are officially a post-menopausal woman.
Q: Why do I need progesterone cream?
While your body will continue to produce estrogen throughout your lifetime, progesterone production slows dramatically during perimenopause and eventually stops altogether. Supplementation of natural, USP progesterone helps maintain the proper function of other vital hormones and every organ in your body. Progesterone affects brain function, fat metabolism, thyroid function, water balance, bone health, energy production, immune function, thermogenesis, the survival and development of the embryo and fetus and much more.
Q: What is progesterone cream made from?
Our progesterone comes from a substance called diosgenin. A steroid sapogenin, diosgenin is extracted from the tubers of the Mexican Wild Yam. In the laboratory, diosgenin is synthesized to
create progesterone identical to that produced by the human body.
Q: Wouldn't it be easier to take a progesterone pill?
Based on his many years of research, Dr. Lee recommends transdermal cream over progesterone pills. Oral progesterone is filtered through the liver where 80% to 90% of the dose is lost. On the other hand, when progesterone cream is applied to thin-skinned areas of the body, the entire dose absorbs directly into the blood stream making transdermal application optimal.
Q: Are Wild Yam products the same as progesterone?
While progesterone cream is derived from Mexican Wild Yam, a special lab process is necessary to create progesterone that is bio-identical, or, exactly like what is produced naturally in the body. Look for "USP Progesterone" on the label to assure optimum quality, safety, and effectiveness.
Q: What about soy? Isn't it suppose to relieve my symptoms?
We do NOT recommend soy products for women in perimenopause when estrogen levels are high. Soy stimulates estrogen production and is also known to compromise thyroid function, which is already often an issue during perimenopause due to hormonal changes and their impact on the endocrine system.
In menopause and post-menopause, soy isoflavones can be helpful, however we recommend only
organic, NON-GMO, and fermented soy products.
Q: What is "bio-identical" progesterone cream?
The term "bio-identical" refers to progesterone that undergoes a special laboratory process, making it identical in chemical structure to the progesterone produced by the human body. Only USP progesterone cream is truly bio-identical.
Q: What does "USP" mean?
When you see "USP progesterone" on a label, the product has met the quality assurance standards
and specifications outlined by The United States Pharmacopeia. The United States Pharmacopeia sets and maintains standards for medicines, drug substances, and dietary supplements.
Q: What is progestin and how does it compare to bio-identical progesterone?
Progestin is a synthetically produced hormone that differs in structure from the progesterone produced by the human body. Typically combined with estrogen in hormone replacement therapy and contraceptive pills, synthetic progestin is laden with side effects and health risks. Synthetic hormones do not have the same effect on your body, mind, or emotions as natural hormones do. They shut down or reduce the normal function and production of natural hormones, ultimately creating a further imbalance.
Progesterone refers to the hormone naturally produced in the body, or from a plant source such as Mexican Wild Yam, which, after a laboratory process, renders progesterone chemically identical to that produced by the human body.
Q: Is progesterone cream safe to use?
There are no side effects or health risks associated with USP progesterone. The placenta produces an astounding 300-400 mg. of progesterone daily during the last few months of pregnancy, assuring the safety of bio-identical progesterone.
Q: Are there contraindications with any supplements or medications?
If you are currently using synthetic hormone replacement therapy, including contraceptives, please consult with your medical doctor before using bio-identical progesterone cream.
Q: Is bio-identical progesterone cream right for me?
Bio-identical progesterone is a safe and effective, natural approach to hormonal balance and relief from the symptoms associated with PMS, perimenopause and menopause. Since this "master hormone" has the ability to convert into other hormones, it naturally helps to create and maintain hormonal balance.
Q: Can bio-identical progesterone cream be used before or during pregnancy?
Natural progesterone, being bio-identical to the body, has been used in fertility clinics since the
1940's. Research shows that it helps sustain pregnancy in women with a history of premature birth. Always consult your licensed health care professional before using natural progesterone during pregnancy.
Q: Will my medical doctor recommend bio-identical progesterone cream?
Medical doctors have focused more on estrogen than progesterone. However, physicians are beginning to understand progesterone's role, especially during perimenopause.
Unfortunately, many allopathic doctors continue to prescribe synthetic hormone replacement therapy
and "the pill" despite their well-known risks and side effects. Share this information with your doctor
and request a natural approach to this natural life transition.
Q: Does bio-identical progesterone cream offer any health benefits?
In his bestselling book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause," Dr. John R. Lee, MD notes the benefits of supplementation with bio-identical progesterone cream as follows:
- Maintains secretory endometrium
- Protects against breast fibrocysts
- Helps use fat for energy
- Natural diuretic
- Natural anti-depressant & calms anxiety
- Prevents cyclical migraines
- Promotes normal sleep patterns
- Facilitates thyroid hormone function
- Helps normalize blood sugar levels
- Normalizes blood clotting
- Helps restores normal libido
- Normalizes zinc and copper levels
- Restores proper cell oxygen levels
- Prevents endometrial and breast cancer
- Decreased risk of prostate cancer in men
- Stimulates new bone formation
- Improves vascular tone
- Prevents autoimmune diseases
- Increases sensitivity of estrogen receptors
- Necessary for survival of embryo
- Prevents coronary artery spasm and atherosclerotic plaque.
Q: How do I know which brand of progesterone cream to choose?
First, be sure to choose USP, bio-identical progesterone cream with ingredients you can pronounce. It's important to remember that what you put on your skin goes directly into your bloodstream.
Some progesterone creams on the market have harmful chemicals and petroleum based ingredients
that are known to disrupt the endocrine system. These can actually aggravate your symptoms and make them worse.
The Organic Excellence progesterone creams are 100% chemical and fragrance free with the added benefits of certified organic herbs. Made in small quantities to assure the highest quality possible, they are formulated to meet the strict criteria outlined by Dr. John R. Lee, MD and contain approximately
500 mg. of bio-identical progesterone per ounce. Organic Excellence offers two creams to meet your specific needs, one with phytoestrogens and one without.
Q: How do I know which Organic Excellence progesterone cream to use?
We recommend that women of all ages begin with our progesterone cream WITHOUT phytoestrogens.
Women experiencing PMS and/or perimenopause, and those with an excess of estrogen (estrogen dominance) will benefit tremendously from this cream.
For women in menopause and beyond experiencing the symptoms of estrogen deficiency, such as 10
hot flashes per day or more, our cream WITH phytoestrogens is an excellence choice. This cream is
rich in estrogen-like plant based herbs that stimulate estrogen receptors.
If you remain uncertain about which cream to use, don't be afraid to experiment. Many women choose
to purchase one of each (with and without phytoestrogens) and alternate their use depending on their symptoms.
Q: How do I use progesterone cream?
According to Dr. Lee, MD: Gently massage 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cream into thin-skinned areas of
the body such as the neck, face, chest, inner arms, and the palms of the hands.
Perimenopausal Women: Begin on the 12th day of your cycle. (Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual flow.) Continue through day 26.
Menopausal Women Use 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon for 25 consecutive days, then take a 5-day break. Many women find it easiest to start using the cream on the first day of each month and discontinue use on the 25th day.
Q: What if my periods are irregular and I don't know when or if my 12th day will come?
It's ideal to begin using progesterone cream as close to ovulation as possible. However, in perimenopause, there will be an increasing number of months when ovulation doesn't occur. You
might experience prolonged bleeding one month, and skip your period the next, making it difficult
to know when to begin using progesterone cream and when to stop.
If an irregular cycle makes it impossible to follow the directions above, begin using our progesterone cream as close to when you would normally ovulate as possible (based on your most recent period).
If months have passed since your last cycle and you have no idea when your ovulation time might be,
just choose a convenient date to begin. Continue use for 14 days, and begin again on the same day
each month thereafter.
If spotting occurs, continue to use the cream. If a full period should occur, discontinue the cream, counting the first day of bleeding as day 1. Resume use on day 12 and repeat monthly.
Don't be afraid to experiment with progesterone cream to find what works best for you.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice
of a licensed medical doctor. Organic Excellence does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you
have or suspect a mental or physical health condition, please see your healthcare provider.
