Progesterone Cream

You may have heard about progesterone cream and are curious about the exact uses and effects. For post-menopausal women, there are many benefits to be had with the regular application of this topical treatment. Progesterone is a hormone that is naturally produced in a woman's body, which in turn works in balance with estrogen. When you ovulate, progesterone is produced in the corpus luteum of the ovary, reaching its maximum during your menstrual cycle. Because of how it is created, progesterone levels often plummet after menopause, which leads to a condition known as estrogen dominance. This is something that progesterone creams can help to relieve.

Estrogen dominance in women has the tendency to lead to issues such as mood swings, fatigue, water retention and gaining weight, and the increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Luckily, progesterone cream can help to correct some of this imbalance and fight these symptoms without the use of synthesized chemicals common in other forms of hormone therapy.

There are two basic types of progesterone creams on the market – natural and bio-identical. Any natural cream that you buy should be certified by United States Pharmacopoeia and made with organic ingredients. Bio-identical creams are usually derived from soy or yams to replicate human progesterone, with the most popular version being diosgenin, which is usually marketed as coming from wild yams. Both types can offer benefits, such as reducing mood swings, hot flashes, anxiety, and cramping. However, some bio-identical creams can come with harmful side effects such as heart problems, asthma, depression and even cancer in the worse cases. This is mainly due to the fact that the body cannot properly break down the synthesized diosgenin. For these reasons, natural cream is far preferred over the bio-identical versions.

When applying progesterone cream, you need to use multiple application sites rather than just one. This is mainly to reduce the risk for skin irritation from over-applying the cream in one particular spot. Progesterone is fat soluble so it is easily absorbed into the skin – and over use can cause it to be locked within cells and interrupt the effects of other hormones such as cortisol and testosterone. The best place to apply the cream is to areas of the body where blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin, which allows for quicker absorption. These are mainly places where you blush easily, such as your face (particularly your cheeks), and on the neck, arms, palms and breasts.

If you are worried about the side effects associated with progesterone cream, there are other options available. Oral micronized progesterone can be placed into pills and gel caps, but these are only available from your doctor. Another popular prescription for progesterone therapy is a medication called prometrium, which a small pill that is inserted vaginally before bed and absorbed by the body overnight. Both of these treatments are equivalent to using topical, natural progesterone creams.  

No matter which application method you choose to use, be it a cream or a pill supplement, hormone therapy should be approached carefully and with the guidance of your doctor. But now you know to avoid certain bio-identical products and instead focus on using all natural products to help reduce the problems associated with menopause and estrogen dominance. By righting your hormone balances with the aid of a progesterone cream or comparable treatment, you can help to make your life post menopause far more comfortable and enjoyable.