Delivery route choices for PROGESTERONE: Topical /Epithelial delivery

(i.e. via skin using hormonal cream/gel)

NOT for LONG-TERM USE - with prolonged use PROGESTERONE can build up in fatty tissues, where its constant release can result in an overdose

Using topical Progesterone for systemic supplementation

Delivered transdermally, PROGESTERONE enters the blood stream fully bio-available (i.e. not bound to protein in serum).   PROGESTERONE is absorbed through the epithelial tissue of the skin and into the bloodstream without passing through the liver.    The increase in PROGESTERONE is very apparent in saliva testing (a serum test will show little or no change, since blood tests do not accurately reflect body's PROGESTERONE status. See: Testing for Hormones);

Dermal fatigue from long-term skin application.    Used in the short-term, the transdermal method has been employed for the past several years with much success. HOWEVER, a problem, identified as “dermal fatigue”, has become apparent with its long-term use . Being fat-soluble, fat cells in the skin store the hormone, which is fine at first, since fat stores are low. Unfortunately, after a few weeks of applying cream to skin, the skin tissue fat cells become saturated with PROGESTERONE (or any other steroid hormone used), which results in disruptions to adrenal hormones, such as DHEA, CORTISOL and TESTOSTERONE. This not only stops the effectiveness of the hormone, it may even make symptoms worse.

Users of transdermal PROGESTERONE cream long-term can have excessively elevated levels of this hormone.    Those with excessively high PROGESTERONE levels from using transdermal supplementation may need to go off the cream for up to two years, to allow the excess PROGESTERONE to leave their body.

Some topical PROGESTERONE applications for the benefit of the skin itself

Good on piles or painful, achy or itchy areas.

Excellent for burns

Anti-aging on the face.

The cream can also be applied in the vagina or nose to counter dryness.

Topical PROGESTERONE application details

How often

Take at least three to seven days off every month - 3 days for those women who experience a severe recurrence of symptoms during the break; taking a break prevents one's body from developing a resistance or tolerance to the PROGESTERONE .

Transdermal PROGESTERONE cream is better applied in split doses

To keep levels consistent; Divide into at least two doses if you are using a high dose of PROGESTERONE (40mg or more) - E.g. 2/3 at bed time and 1/3 in AM.

Application areas

Neck, face, arms, chest, legs, stomach, vagina, scrotum

Scrotal Route (for delivery to the prostate gland in men)

•   Special note for scrotal application (a good application area when used against prostate cancer for delivery to the prostate gland).  Simply rubbing the PROGESTERONE cream into the scrotal area may allow sufficient absorption of PROGESTERONE - however, this author suggests using a small amount of the membrane penetrant DMSO to carry the PROGESTERONE cream through the scrotal membrane to enhance absorption, DMSO must be applied on clean, dry skin with clean hands. Application area must be allowed to dry completely after application before being allowed to touch other material.

Do not attempt to use DMSO without first getting to know how to use and handle it:

DMSO - Medicine Carrier / Cell membrane

•  Alternatively, a World Intellectual Property Organization patent (WO2005079317)  describes the successful absorption of PROGESTERONE through the scrotal membranes using certain substances (polyethylene glycols or peptide/fatty acid complexes) to enhance absorption

“Permeation rate enhancers allow for rapid absorption of the PROGESTERONE composition across the scrotal sac, after which the lipophilic PROGESTERONE hormone is stored in adipose cells. After the PROGESTERONE hormone reaches a saturation level in the adipose cells, it diffuses into the circulatory system for eventual uptake by the prostate gland. The present invention therefore can deliver a sustained effective dosage amount of PROGESTERONE to the prostate gland.”

Rub the PROGESTERONE cream into the skin

 Skin comprises 95% kerotinocytes with many PROGESTERONE receptor sites. 

The skin must be clean.    Cleared of cosmetics etc. cream is better absorbed when applied immediately after drying off after bath or shower;

Rotate among three or four different skin sites on different days.   The larger the area of skin the dose is spread on, the greater the absorption; areas typically used are neck, chest, inner arms, inner thighs, and stomach