Additional benefits for women include: improved brain function, diminished muscular aches and pains, improvement of skin problems including acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis and keratoses, and improved sleep pattern. John R. Lee, M.D. with Virginia Hopkins What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. The Breakthrough Book on Natural Progesterone. New York: Warner Books, 1996. John R. Lee, M.D., Jesse Hanley M.D.

Improved brain function, diminished muscular aches and pains, improvement of skin problems including acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis and kaurosis, improved sleep pattern and improved libido have all been suggested in research on hormonal therapy.

It is highly recommended. Due to faulty diets, decreased nutrients in our foods and the stress that we experience, most women have reduced levels of all hormones, but especially progesterone. We are exposed to numerous xeno-estrogens (certain chemicals in the environment that have effects on the body similar to estrogen). Keep in mind that health problems arise from not only the estrogen itself, but from imbalance resulting from a deficiency in progesterone.

There is much evidence that men and women, especially women, suffer from reduced levels of progesterone. Keeping progesterone levels to optimum levels can help fight depression and anxiety, increase sexual libido, prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), fight aging skin, wrinkles and brown spots, help oxygenation of cells, alleviate sleeplessness, control acne, reduce premenstrual discomforts, protect against breast fibroids, reduce hair thinning, reduce hot flashes etc.

Birth control pills usually contain synthetic progestins. It is not recommended to take them together. Birth control pills have been known to cause many health problems when taken over a long period of time.

I doubt the effectiveness of these creams. Nothing can substitute the progesterone promoting effects of raw nuts and seeds. Do not mix grains with nuts, do no mix grains or nuts with sweets. If you eat anything sweet - combine it only with protein (eggs or cheese) and vegetables or beans. The book shows you how to make best choices when dinning out. This can make a substantial difference in weight loss. Do not start with the shake until around 10 a.m.

Natural progesterone usage depends on your current hormonal and menstrual status. The following are general recommendations that should be confirmed or modified in concert with your health care provider. Please keep in mind these are general recommendations that may need to be modified for your specific situation. When selecting a progesterone cream, it should contain approximately 20 mg of progesterone per 1/4 teaspoon. Begin using natural progesterone after you have ovulated.

Dr. John Lee who studied the effect of progesterone on osteoporosis concluded that progesterone may help build new bone by stimulating osteoblastic activity.

According to Dr. Lee, a product that contains at least 480 milligrams of progesterone per ounce is needed. There are now many products on the market that contain less than 10 milligrams per ounce which are likely to be ineffective.

If you are still menstruating, use one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of cream twice a day after ovulation (which is generally 12-14 days from the first day of menstrual flow) until day 26. You do not need natural progesterone while menstruating; however, if you experience menstrual cramps try rubbing a small amount of cream on the lower abdomen. For migraines, rub cream on back of your neck.

Men over 45 can use natural progesterone. One benefit is an increase in the libido. Progesterone is the precursor of testosterone. Testosterone can stimulate new bone formation, increasing bone density; a lack of it can cause osteoporosis. Older men with rheumatoid arthritis have reported relief from pain and swelling after rubbing natural progesterone in a cream base on their joints.

There is much evidence that men and women, especially women, suffer from reduced levels of progesterone. Keeping progesterone levels to optimum levels can help fight depression and anxiety, increase sexual libido, prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), fight aging skin, wrinkles and brown spots, help oxygenation of cells, alleviate sleeplessness, control acne, reduce premenstrual discomforts, protect against breast fibroids, reduce hair thinning, reduce hot flashes etc.

Progesterone is responsible for balancing estrogen and the female reproductive cycle. Deficiency results in symptoms of PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. A deficiency in progesterone can be a factor in frequent miscarriages. Research shows that natural progesterone stimulates bone building osteoblasts, thus providing protection against osteoporosis.