Depression is one of the more common symptoms of PMDD. Women often feel sad, blue, unhappy, down in the dumps, and/or hopeless as part of the PMDD symptom complex. But remember, the depressive symptoms of PMDD are linked to the menstrual cycle and must be absent at least during the week following menses. Also, depression is not necessary for the diagnosis of PMDD.

During the first 2 weeks of a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen is the dominant hormone. In response to ovulation around day 14 of the cycle, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise and assume dominance for the final two weeks of the month. When progesterone levels drop the next menstrual cycle begins in about 48 hours. See similar questions...

The risks of not taking hormone replacement therapy may include elevated cholesterol, increased risk of heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis, tooth loss, depression, Alzheimer Disease, and menopausal symptoms. The side effects of the synthetic hormones such as bleeding, swelling, weight gain and breast cancer can be ameliorated by using the bio-identical estrogen and progesterone instead. See similar questions...

Estrogen dominance (a term first proposed by Dr. John R. Lee) is a situation in which there is too much estrogen in relation to progesterone. When a woman fails to ovulate, progesterone cannot reach the optimum 20 - 25 mg. during the final two weeks of a woman's monthly cycle. This allows estrogen to go unopposed the entire month and upsets the normal progesterone/estrogen balance. During his 30 years clinical practice, Dr. See similar questions...

Precursors (sterols) to progesterone and estrogen are found in wild yams and soy but the human body does not have the ability to convert these sterols to hormones. Through a simple process (hydrolysis) these chemicals are converted into Bio-identical Progesterone, Estriol, Estrone, Estradiol and Testosterone. They are considered "natural" because they are identical to the hormones biologically made in the body and because they are derived from a natural supply. See similar questions...

Definitely not. It is very important that natural progesterone be used with any form of estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone can cause endometrial and vaginal carcinomas. Estrogen blocks thyroid production and causes water retention; and it can cause fibrocystic breast disease and even fibroid tumors and cysts in the ovary area. See similar questions...

Premenstrual symptoms can begin anytime after a woman begins to menstruate and, on average, menstruation begins at around 12 ½ years of age in the U.S. Women tend to seek treatment for premenstrual symptoms in their late twenties and early to mid-thirties, so it is difficult to know exactly when milder premenstrual symptoms actually become severe enough to be considered PMDD. Even though PMDD is usually first diagnosed after adolescence, it can certainly occur in teenagers. See similar questions...

Genetics may play a role in PMDD. Studies have shown that identical twins are more likely to share the disorder (93%) than non-identical (fraternal) twins (44%), and daughters of mothers with PMDD are more likely to have it themselves. However, no specific genes have been identified to account for PMDD. It is best to simply say that genetics may put a woman at greater risk for developing the disorder. See similar questions...

Estrogen is known as a 'female hormone' and plays a key role in shaping the female body. One of estrogen's primary roles is to promote the growth of cells in the breast and uterus and estrogen affects many aspects of women's physical and emotional health. Progesterone is the second most important female hormone. Progesterone is primarily responsible for regulating the reproductive cycle. See similar questions...

Estrogen and progesterone together thicken the lining of the uterus, preparing it for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg. Estrogen also influences how the body uses calcium, an important mineral in the building of bones, and helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood. Estrogen also keeps the vagina healthy. menopause nears, the ovaries reduce most of their production of these hormones. See similar questions...

a woman approaches menopause, her production of estrogen and progesterone (the precursor to estrogen) decreases which causes the menstrual cycles to subside. Dr. Lee explains, "The doctors are just using estrogen. Ray Peat was up there saying, 'Look, I have a list of 250 references and they show that progesterone is a very important hormone,' and he lists all these important things - It's available over the counter - It's absorbed through the skin. See similar questions...

Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD of Kent. WA., recommends a natural combination cream with the triple estrogens, and progesterone. Our product that fits that recommendation is Estro-All. What is Pre-Menopause? Read Dr. John R. Lee & Virginia Hopkins latest book to be released in Jan. 1999, called "Pre-Menopause." Check with your Doctor or Health care provider when weaning off of synthetics Use Estro-All twice a day, while gradually tapering the synthetic estrogen over a 2 to 6 week period. See similar questions...

Bones, like skin, blood and hair, are living growing organs. Though much slower growing, bones do have a cycle of repair, replacement and growth. There are two functioning cell groups that take care of bone maintenance and health; 'Osteoclasts' and the 'Osteoblasts'. Osteoclasts are little 'PacMen' like cells that remove old, worn-out, crystallized bone cells. Behind them come the osteoblasts, which repair and rejuvenate bones using Vitamin D and over 17 different minerals (not just calcium!). See similar questions...

During the years before actual menopause, estrogen may be decreasing only slightly and ovulation has ceased or is rare. Without ovulation, progesterone production is essentially zero making a woman estrogen dominant. Further supplementing the dominant estrogen simply does not make sense, and synthetic progestins have undesireable side effects. See similar questions...

Maca is a well know Hormone and endocrine system adaptogen. It offers 4 unique alkaloids found in no other plant. These alkaloids are shown to augment the bodies natural endocrine function and assist in bringing balance to the endocrine system and normalizing hormone function. There is little evidence of any contraindications that would indicate dangers in the use of maca in conjunction with hormone replacement therapies. However, it would be wise to have your doctor monitor the situation. See similar questions...