The following symptoms and diseases respond to progesterone therapy, if they are hormone related. It is important to remember that progesterone is not a drug, it is a hormone vital to our well being.

Please click a letter to show symptoms and diseases begining with that letter (if you cannot click a letter, it means that section is empty):

Hair loss & excessive facial hair

With declining progesterone levels in the 5 to 10 years prior to menopause, the body responds by producing alternative adrenal hormones which have some male like effects. The two most obvious results of this are male pattern baldness and facial hair.

Prevention : With 20mg/day of progesterone, facial hair drops off within weeks, but hair on the head will take up to 6 months to grow.

Heart attacks & disease

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is cut off. In men this can be caused by either coronary atherosclerosis (deposits), thrombosis (blood clot) or embolism (any foreign substance), or a spasm of the coronary artery. In women it is generally caused by a spasm. As we age arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries also plays a role. High blood pressure increases the risk of both heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, thick blood and water retention all cause a rise in blood pressure. A normal blood pressure irrespective of age should be 120/80. A healthy cholesterol level should be 190 -210mg/dl. The average American level is 220mg/dl, whereas people living in rural areas eating whole foods and little animal protein have levels between 120 to 160mg/dl. Too low a level increases the incidence of aggressive behaviour, strokes, depression and suicides. There are a number of factors which can lead to heart disease, particularly a diet high in oxidised fats and low in anti-oxidants; an excess of sodium and a lack of potassium; calcium; magnesium; Omega 3; Vit A; C; E; selenium and zinc. A lack of magnesium in particular can cause a coronary artery to go into spasm. Omega 3 is involved in the reduction of the prostaglandin thromboxane in the blood, which if too high can cause the arteries to go into spasm, increase blood clot formation and cause palpitations or arrhythmias. Research has shown that oestrogen can also cause coronary arteries to go into spasm. Contrary to popular opinion oestrogen does not prevent heart disease. It causes salt and water to be retained and potassium and magnesium to be lost, thereby increasing blood pressure, progesterone is a natural diuretic and protects against this. Oestrogen promotes fat synthesis and blood clots while progesterone increases the burning of fats. Oestrogen also accelerates the aging of collagen, weakening the walls of the arteries.

Prevention : Avoid all forms of oestrogen; oxidised fats, ie all refined oils, fats including margarine, fried foods in particular meat; reduce sodium intake. Increase intake of potassium, calcium and particularly magnesium and the anti-oxidants Vit A; C; E; selenium and zinc. Also omega 3 which thins blood by lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Vit E is known to reduce heart attacks by 75%, while Vit C strengthens collagen. Magnesium prevents cramping of arteries and muscles, of which the heart is one. It is also very effective at preventing palpitations or arrhythmias. Progesterone counteracts the effects of oestrogen and is known to relax coronary arteries that have gone into spasm, it also normalises blood clotting and brings down blood pressure by acting as a diuretic. 20 to 200mg/day of progesterone will be needed depending upon the severity of the problem.

Hot flushes and night sweats

At present no one knows what causes hot flushes. Within the hypothalamus is our temperature controlling centre, it is thought that a sudden stimulus to this causes it to go out of control. The stimulus can be the result of a sudden drop in hormones, particularly oestrogen or testosterone or a rapid drop in the blood sugar level, this can be further aggravated by a hot drink, coffee or wine. Although they are generally associated with menopause, they can occur at puberty, during or with removal of the testes because of cancer.

Prevention : Adding back the hormone that is lacking can generally control hot flushes. Most women have found that 20mg/day of progesterone is sufficient but if the flushes are caused by a dramatic drop in the oestrogen level then 100 to 200mg/day will be needed. If possible avoid all forms of oestrogen supplements at this time, because although they are effective at stopping the flushes, they can worsen existing symptoms such as breast tenderness, depression, water retention and weight gain. The risk of getting breast cancer is also increased by 40%. The following herbs can also help: Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) and Agnus castus.