Hormone Optimization
Menopause and Progesterone
"Doc, I took the saliva test you suggested in an earlier blog post, The Best Hormone Test, which indicated that I am estrogen dominant. I also read your blog post on The Best Supplement for Estrogen Dominance, and I started taking 200 mg of DIM at bedtime to make estrogen dominance safer. What is the next step?"
Let's think about it.
If menopause is not ovulating, and if you do not ovulate, your ovaries do not release progesterone.
Estrogen levels drop to cause ovulation loss, but when one does not ovulate, ovarian progesterone production ceases altogether.
Therefore, estrogen dominance should be called progesterone deficiency.
So, what would you need to do to balance estradiol and progesterone?
THE BENEFITS OF PROGESTERONE SUPPLEMENTATION
Progesterone - Reduces Anxiety and Mood Swings
Many of my colleagues nicknamed progesterone the cuddle hormone. I call Progesterone the 60s hormone, it's all about peace, love, and flower power. Progesterone is the singing, dancing, and whistling hormone.
Progesterone is well known for stabilizing mood, reducing irritability, and helping with menopause-related anxiety or depression.
Progesterone - Weight Optimizer
Progesterone is also indirectly a woman's fat-burning hormone. It's not an efficient fat-burning hormone, but a woman must rely on progesterone because they have very little testosterone, testosterone being the ultimate fat-burning hormone.
Progesterone works indirectly as a fat-burning hormone by keeping estradiol’s ability to store fat in check. It's like what my wife does for the caveman part of my brain.
Another reason progesterone is essential for menopausal weight loss is because it lowers insulin levels by making you less insulin-resistant, the cause of modern-day diabetes.
If you have been reading this blog, you know that the only way paused women and men can lose weight is by playing the insulin-glucagon SeeSaw game.
In Phase One of the HOPE For Menopause System, we eat the Meso menu, which keeps insulin low. When insulin bottoms out, insulin's twin hormone, glucagon, is released.
Insulin opens the doors to the cells to let sugar in, where it is converted to fat and stored in our fat pantries.
Glucagon opens the exit doors and lets the fat out.
Another reason progesterone works well with weight loss is because estrogen dominance elevates insulin. Higher insulin levels will cause you to suffer from lower blood sugar. Low blood sugar will cause hunger and cravings. Low blood sugar is one reason women crave sweets during their premenstrual cycle.
Progesterone and Inflammation
Progesterone decreases inflammation. Progesterone, being an anti-inflammatory hormone, is another reason many consider progesterone their best friend during phase one of HOPE. Inflammation is the primary source cause of hormonal disruption and obesity.
Inflammation is what will most likely end our lives. Chronic inflammation is the primary source cause of most cancers, diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and Alzheimer's.
Progesterone and Sleep
Progesterone improves sleep by calming the brain. Estrogen has an excitatory effect on the brain. That's why women with estrogen dominance have sleeping disorders.
Your body produces hormones while you sleep. Not getting a great night's sleep has been shown to cause hormonal disruption.
A lack of sleep is also associated with overeating.
Progesterone and Bloat.
Estrogen dominance causes water retention.
Progesterone is a natural diuretic.
Supplementing with progesterone will help eliminate the bloat caused by estrogen dominance.
Menopause, Estrogen Dominance and Progesterone
After Vicky's Estrogen Dominance Saliva Test indicated that she was moderately estrogen dominant, she began using low doses of progesterone cream.
"You should never take progesterone without first being diagnosed that you are estrogen dominant or that your progesterone is deficient."
Always seek the counsel of your healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement.
You no longer need a prescription to purchase progesterone, and it is much more affordable over the counter than from a pharmacist. Here are the different progesterone creams that Vicky and our clients have used.
Kokoro is probably the cream with the most accolades. Vicky and my clients have not used it that much, so I cannot say much about it.
Vicky has probably used this cream more than any other. I am not fond of this cream. This cream has fat burners that may disrupt sleep. I have also had women complain about its fragrance. Internal Harmony cream has 25 milligrams of progesterone per dose, 5 mg more than most. It also has a couple of B vitamins and vitamins E and D within the cream. All are essential to our program.
This cream is my favorite. It has 20 milligrams per 1/4 teaspoon; I have never heard anyone complain about it. It is also paraben—and fragrance-free, as parabens and fragrances are estrogenic.
This is the tried-and-true, less expensive progesterone cream. I have never heard our clients or past patients complain about it. I remember a few problems with the pump malfunctioning, but nothing serious.
How To Apply Progesterone Creams
Remember, do not use progesterone cream without consulting your healthcare provider. The information below is for information purposes only.
Any hormone cream needs to be placed on thin skin. Progesterone also needs to be rotated because it will thicken skin. If you continue to use it at the same location, absorption will decrease as the skin thickens.
Vicky's favorite spot to apply hormone creams is on her chest. She flexes her head and places the cream where her chin touches. She rotates the cream from her chest to her inner arms and thighs.
Vicky used the cream for 25 days, then took three days off. She likes to mimic (somewhat) the natural menstrual cycle.
Though Vicky cycled her cream and still does today, most of my menopausal clients like to use progesterone cream daily. The reason is that when they take a three-day break, they crash, meaning the symptoms of anxiety, sleep disruption, and depression return.
Pre-menopause Application
If Vicky were still menstruating, she would take half a dose (⅛ teaspoon or one-half of a pump) of progesterone for 14 days, then a full dose (¼ teaspoon or a complete pump) for 14 days, and then take three days off.
Vicky did not bathe for a couple of hours after applying progesterone cream. If she was going to be intimate, she used the cream after intimacy.
Update: I recently heard of a unique way to apply hormone creams that makes total sense.
Rub the cream on your ankles and cover your ankles with socks while you sleep so you don't inadvertently pass the cream to your loved ones.
Other Benefits
Progesterone Protects the Uterus (Endometrial Health) If a woman is taking estrogen, she must add progesterone to prevent endometrial hyperplasia—a thickening of the uterus lining that can lead to cancer.
Progesterone Supports Bone Health Estrogen is usually credited with bone protection, but progesterone also stimulates bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and reduces osteoporosis risk.
Progesterone Helps with Hot Flashes & Night Sweats While estrogen is the primary hormone for cooling down hot flashes, progesterone can help by stabilizing body temperature regulation and reducing intensity.
Progesterone Supports Cognitive Function There’s emerging evidence that progesterone has neuroprotective properties, potentially helping with brain fog and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Who Should Be Cautious with Progesterone Supplementation?
Women with a history of breast cancer, clotting disorders, or severe depression should consult their doctor before starting progesterone therapy.
Side Effects
I have not heard of any adverse side effects from my clients at these low doses of progesterone cream. Occasionally, they may initially have breast tenderness. This is usually caused by water retention. This rarely continues after the first three days of use.
In our medical clinics, we dosed at 200 mg. Our patients grew an immunity to these high doses, and progesterone eventually quit working. We found 20 mg to work much better without the immunity problem.
Summary
In a nutshell, we have found that low progesterone levels are the primary cause of what physicians call the triad of menopausal psychosis, sleeping disorders, anxiety, and depression. In my experience, I have found that doses of 20 mg work much better than the standard dose of 200 mg.
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THIS WEEK'S US-IE
Celebrated a friend's birthday this weekend. Being social is so important for superior hormone health.
“If you want to reach higher levels of health as you age, it starts today.”
And remember...
"IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR HORMONES!"
"Because when your hormones are optimized, your weight, health, and mind will follow."
🎉 Doc
FDA Disclaimer:
The information provided in The Pause newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The statements made about hormones, weight loss, or any other health-related topics have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, including starting or stopping medications, supplements, or lifestyle changes.
What is the MESO diet?