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Progesterone Progesterone is another female hormone of equal importance to women, although it is commonly overlooked. Fifty percent of women over 35 years old are progesterone deficient. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands and is used in nature to balance the effects of estrogen. It, too, can safely and effectively relieve menopausal symptoms, protect against cancer, prevent osteoporosis, and improve overall well being. In the past, physicians had been accustomed to prescribing the synthetic progesterone called progestin. These synthetic progestins caused the same problems and side affects as the synthetic estrogens and do not provide the benefits realized by a natural progesterone.
Natural progesterone enhances the action of estrogen as these two hormones were meant to work together to maintain normal hormonal balance. The lack of progesterone causes similar disease processes as does lack of estrogen, which include osteoporosis, heart disease, decrease in libido and significantly diminished quality of life. The combination of natural progesterone and estrogen can prevent this downward spiral by keeping women vital, strong and healthy.
In our estimation progesterone is the most over-looked "essential" hormone. Natural progesterone is often confused with it's synthetic counter-part (progestins). Please understand the difference between progestins and true progesterone. The disparity between these 2 forms of progesterone is literally as different as night and day. True progesterone, whether you have had a hysterectomy or not, can benefit in the following ways:
Prevent osteoporosis
Prevent cardiovascular disease
Decrease PMS symptoms
Increase mood/feeling well
Decrease fluid retention
Increase "good" sleep
Decrease bad cholesterol (LDL)
Increase good cholesterol (HDL)
Increase estrogen's positive effects
Maintains healthy pregnancy
Positively effect serotonin levels (mood)
Positively effect melatonin levels (sleep/mood/immune function/etc)
Natural progesterone is also dosed based on your specific levels. In many females fertility is a serious concern. Once conception occurs physicians must monitor natural progesterone output by the expectant mothers. Low progesterone levels can cause a spontaneous abortion, i.e. miscarriage. If progesterone supplementation needs to be implemented it is contraindicated to prescribe and use synthetic progestins. The expecting mothers and a miscarriage will almost inevitably occur rejecting progestins. The only form of progesterone that can be prescribed by the fertility specialist is natural progesterone. During this time the female body and baby require the most protection. This is where Mother Nature steps in and draws the line between natural and synthetics. Nature's way to protect the mother and baby is to increase estriol as mentioned before and natural progesterone. Why then, when hormone replacement is considered for female patients do general practitioners and gynecologists mainly prescribe synthetic and animal derived hormones when the literature is overwhelming that these unnatural chemicals can cause horrible side effects and potentially even death?
Natural progesterone is dispensed in numerous forms. However be warned that all progesterone is not created equal. Be careful to only use USP pharmaceutical grade progesterone in the natural form. This form requires a prescription. There are many companies that market hormone products that are no more than herbal or food products that cannot be converted to the real hormone in the body. Do not take chances on your health. Anti-Aging Concepts, Inc. uses only USP pharmaceutical grade bio-identical plant derived progesterone.
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