Functions of PROGESTERONE in the body

Controls reproductive function

PROGESTERONE is an essential building block for a normal, balanced supply of:

• Estrogens (ESTRONE, ESTRADIOL, ESTRIOL) -  also sensitizes estrogen receptors enabling estrogen to work more efficiently
• TESTOSTERONE

PROGESTERONE controls menstruation; Causes the endometrium to shed; Normalizes length of period;

PROGESTERONE is a natural inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme, preventing conversion of androgens to estrogen.

PROGESTERONE optimizes libido/restores normal sexy feelings; PROGESTERONE, not estrogen, is the primary sex drive hormone in women.

PROGESTERONE significantly reduces menopausal symptoms,  including hot flashes and night sweats; PROGESTERONE levels greatly decrease at menopause since ovulation has ceased, at which time the adrenal cortex is the only source;

Erectile Dysfunction - a PROGESTERONE /TESTOSTERONE cream was able to help correct a commonly found associated hormonal imbalance;

Spermiogenesis - PROGESTERONE influences sperm production, sperm capacitation/acrosome reaction and TESTOSTERONE biosynthesis in Lehdig cells

PROGESTERONE is THE Pregnancy hormone:

• Necessary for implantation (reduces failure in assisted reproduction);

• Thickens the uterine lining ready for the fertilized egg;

• Sustains baby's survival during pregnancy:

Inhibits labor onset;

Reduces frequency of uterine smooth muscle contraction (reduces rate for spontaneous abortion or preterm labor in those at risk);

Inhibits immune response against fetus;

Inhibits in-vitro embryo-toxic Th1 cytokine production to trophoblast in women with recurrent pregnancy loss; PubMed

Relaxes placental arteries and veins;

Inhibits lactation

Increases intelligence in fetus.

Natural PROGESTERONE aids conception and pregnancy

In contrast:

Synthetic PROGESTERONE prevents pregnancy or may lead to abortion,

Shealy, "Natural PROGESTERONE Cream -Safe and Natural Hormone Replacement", 1999; 

Prevents reproductive organ cancers

/ Promotes natural cell death

PROGESTERONE promotes normal cell death in the breast which is important in the prevention of cancer -Promotes activation of the protective tumor suppressor gene p53, which preserves stability by preventing genome mutation and promoting apoptosis (natural cell death) -if P53 is inactive or mutated, apoptosis would otherwise be prevented;

PROGESTERONE is involved in the maturation of breast cells and decreases the rate of multiplication - Helps prevent hormone-sensitive breast, uterine/endometrial cancer - inhibits estrogen-promoted cell division (mitosis) on the endometrium and enhances differentiation; Protects breast tissue against fibrocystic breasts (a likely precursor to breast cancer);

Helps prevent enlarged prostate (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) /prostate cancer, similar to saw palmetto berry and nettle root, PROGESTERONE is a natural inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme needed to convert TESTOSTERONE to growth-stimulating di-hydroTESTOSTERONE (DHT) implicated in BPH and prostate cancer. (17-0PROGESTERONEhad highest effect); treatment via transscrotal delivery system;

PROGESTERONE against BPH and Prostate Cancer

Anti-Depressant, Calms nervous system

Calming / Anti-depression.    In the brain,  PROGESTERONE activates receptor sites for GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which decreases anxiety and depression. (Anti-depressants and barbituates bind these same receptors).  PROGESTERONE also raises SEROTONIN hormone levels in brain; PROGESTERONE is concentrated in brain cells to levels 20 times higher than that of blood serum levels.

Effective against some forms of epilepsy.

 PROGESTERONE is a natural antidepressant and prevents anxiety. 

Diuretic

PROGESTERONE acts as a natural diuretic.    ALDOSTERONE promotes water retention and swelling. Although a building block of ALDOSTERONE, PROGESTERONE blocks ALDOSTERONE receptors, thereby causing normal fluid loss and decreasing swelling.

Balances Copper and Zinc

Helps to balance copper and zinc levels

Thyroid

PROGESTERONE increases the activity of thyroid hormone - by decreasing thyroid binding globulin. Thyroid hormone increases metabolism, and utilizes the fat stored under the influence of estrogen for energy.

Brain Function

PROGESTERONE supplementation after menopause supports brain metabolism and cognitive functioning. PubMed

Ensures Cellular Oxygen

Corrects oxygen supply to cells

Anti-Inflammatory

PROGESTERONE is a building block for the anti-inflammatory CORTISONE hormone from CORTISOL in the adrenals;

Known stimulant of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and Th2;

Directly inhibits pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines;

Shown to reduce the response of natural killer cells, as well as other know initiators of inflammation;

PROGESTERONE inhibits MMPs - Estrogen maintains secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) implicated in cancer and arthritis;

Heart protective.   Normalizes risk of blood clots (inhibits platelet aggregation); Prevents lipid peroxidation;

• Anti-atherogenic.  Acutely blocks cholesterol → cholesterylester conversion;

• Prevents vasoconstriction - by increasing vasodilating nitric oxide.

Brain.  Readily crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) reducing edema to barely measurable levels; systemic injections of PROGESTERONE given after traumatic brain injury shown to improve cognitive, sensory and motor recovery, enhancing both short and long term recovery

Prevents osteoporosis

To keep bones strong, osteoblasts (bone builders) must exceed osteoclasts (bone dissolvers, leaving tiny unfilled spaces).  

PROGESTERONE remineralizes and restores bone mass for new bone growth by stimulating osteoblasts - increases number of human osteoblastic cells; Supplemental bio-identical PROGESTERONE is 3x more effective than synthetic PROGESTERONE ;

In contrast, estrogen slows rate of bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which breaks down old bone, but unlike PROGESTERONE,  estrogen does not build bone.

PROGESTERONE and Osteoporosis / Bone Building

Precursor to most other Hormones

Necessary precursor of CORTICOSTERONE /CORTISOL (stress hormone) production;

Used to make DHEA (precursor to estrogen) and TESTOSTERONE.

Converts fat into energy

Fat metabolism; stimulates LEPTIN hormone secretion

Normalizes blood sugar control

Metabolizes glucose.   A PROGESTERONE deficiency tends towards hypoglycemia

Suppresses Immune System

PROGESTERONE- induced "blocking factor" directly blocks T-cell activation;

Reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and their protein products;

Fights insomnia

Raises SEROTONIN level in brain - SEROTONIN is the precursor to MELATONIN;

Skin Anti-aging

Significantly increases skin elasticity, greatly reduces wrinkle counts and wrinkle depth, promoting a greater decrease in nasolabial wrinkle depth and a significantly higher increase in skin firmness in peri- and postmenopausal women; topical PROGESTERONE is rapidly absorbed through skin;

Relaxes urinary smooth muscle

Brings about smooth muscle relaxation in the urinary system.

Neuroprotective

PROGESTERONE readily crosses the blood brain barrier;

Promotes regeneration and myelination of axons (myelin forms around neural axons, allowing nerve impulses to travel faster) - influences growth, differentiation and increases expression of myelin-specific proteins in oligodendrocytes, and potentiates the formation of new myelin sheaths by Schwann cells in vivo;

Antioxidant effect in injured nervous system - studies have shown efficacy in traumatic brain injuries;

Multiple effects on glial (Neuron support) cells;

Anti-Stress

PROGESTERONE is an essential building block for the stress hormone CORTISOL;

PROGESTERONE metabolite allopregnanolone reduces the brain's response to stress;

PROGESTERONE regulates the secretion of catecholamines during stress - positively modifies the cardiovascular and catecholamine response to mental stress in menopausal women;

Reduces facial hair

Natural PROGESTERONE supplementation will cause facial hair to disappear or decrease in time.   DHEA is a precursor for androgens and estrogens.  When PROGESTERONE is deficient, an alternative DHEA pathway is called upon to take up the slack, which leads to increased androgen production, which is the cause of unwanted facial hair.

C Norman Shealy,M.D., PhD, PROGESTERONE Cream, Safe and Natural Hormone Replacement, 1999;