Progesterone: Hormone of Happiness

The last time we met I was ranting about estrogen and it’s plethora of negative effects. Indeed the problem is so extensive, with little girls coming into menstruation as early as age 8 or 9, women coming down with fibrosis diseases and worse at alarming rates and at younger and younger ages, that the prospects for things continuing as they are frighten me. Now there are even studies from the national medical authorities in the UK and New Zealand that show women who as infants were raised on soy formula had much higher than normal rates of reproductive organ disease or malformation, miscarriage and birth defects. Now that’s not to mention the testicular tissue destruction boy’s face from drinking the stuff! And that’s leaving out mention of the merely annoying attributes of estrogen to produce depression, grouchiness, make us fat, bald and lose muscle mass. At times it seems as if the world has been bathed in estrogen and estrogen mimicking substances relegating all of us, gal and guy to be estrogen dominant!

So what can little old us do to really change the world and make it safer for us all hormonally; well, not much right now. But what can we do for ourselves and significant others to overcome the problems associated with estrogen dominance – plenty. Firstly we can do noninvasive saliva testing to determine exactly where we fall in the realm of hormone balance. These tests give us a much clearer picture of where we stand hormonally hour to hour than blood tests. These days advanced thinking doctors of all types, pharmacists, nutritional consultants and even health food stores make these tests available. “Okay, what then. Do I spend a fortune on injections and pills”. Nope, not a shot or a pill in your future.

After determining what the need is, estrogen can be controlled and two of the good hormones can be increased by the application of easy to use topical creams. Creams are the perfect vehicle to put hormones or proto (pre) hormones into the body. As opposed to hormones taken by mouth, where the absorption rate can be as low as 5%, cream products with liopsome bases show an absorption of some 95% according to a University of Dublin, Pharmacology Dept. study. When cream application is compared against injection, the creams show a steadier release and more consistent action where as the injectables tend to be released too quickly leading to extreme highs followed by lows prior to reinjection. So, which are the good hormones and what do they do? We’ll start with the most important one for women.

Progesterone

All of the good things attributed to estrogen are actually the functions of progesterone but primarily for our concerns the “P” hormone:

• Elevates mood and a sense of well being. (Remember the high of being pregnant and happy during second trimester, that was due to progesterone).
• Increases Bone Density.
• Stops estrogens’ tendency to increase fat stores in the waist, hips and thighs.
• Improves the bust line.
• Increases libido.
• Fights miscarriage.
• Fights all of estrogens negative tendencies from creating fibrosis and cancer to prematurely aging the skin.

When using the Progesterone creams one or two applications a day will work just fine. Premenopausal women should follow label directions for cycling applications through out the month. Postmenopausal gals can use the P all the time save for five days off each month. Some docs are now saying that there can be too much progesterone. (These are likely then same folks who were over prescribing estrogen). During the second trimester of pregnancy progesterone levels hit 486% higher than normal. What does all this progesterone do, nothing besides making women incredibly happy and unrepressed. So what if gals have high P levels all the time! Most will still have their periods, though easier and with less angst’s mental or physical. Menopausal gals will just feel better and avoid the decay that estrogen brings.

What about P for the guys? Well, here P:

• Keeps Testosterone from converting into Estrogen, and both from converting into the dreaded baldness and prostate swelling hormone Di Hydro Testosterone or DHT. (Estrogen becomes DHT much easier than Testosterone).
• Fights the tendency of estrogen to make men fat.
• Improves libido especially when combined with natural testosterone.

It used to be said that it was having too much testosterone that made men bald and swelled up their prostates. Studies now show those are all actually the effects of estrogen. Think of your usual balding, pot bellied, skinny armed, low ambition middle aged guy. Not really a poster boy for too much testosterone, is he? And as for T being the primary cause of Prostate Cancer, the University of Chicago Medical Center is now using injections of natural Testosterone Cyponiate to shrink recurrent Prostate cancers. Synthetic methyl testosterone drugs and all anabolic steroids can bring about cancers of various sorts but natural Testosterone does not and never has had that tendency.

Next on our list of feel good hormones is Testosterone. Now hold on, before you tell me you don’t want to look like the steroid ridden deep voiced, 5 o’clock shadowed women bodybuilders, lets run down what having the testosterone level of a an average 18 to 20 year old woman would do for you:

• Increases bone mass
• Increases muscle density
• Decreases body fat, even without exercising. Exercise augments the effect
• Greatly elevates mood and mental drive. Some physicians had called testosterone the worlds greatest antidepressant
• Increases libido. (Remember how horny you were at 18)?
• Has been shown in studies to protect the heart and brain.

Indeed of the 3 places in the body with the greatest number of Testosterone receptor sites the genitalia rank 3rd after the brain and heart! Testosterone injections have been used to strengthen the heart and reduce damage after heart attack. Physicians who use T injections for women generally use about 50 to 100 mg every week or two as opposed to the usual male dose of from 200 to 600 mg every week or two. But here again the effects of the injections are haphazard. Using a cream of Androstene (which is one step away from being testosterone and is converted into such in the body) will elevate the testosterone levels quickly.

If the Androstene products with the measured pumps are used, women can apply one full male dose every other day (the guys usually do two doses a day), or if you get good at manipulating the pump of one male dose every day. Generally it’s best to apply the cream just before bed to the genitals. Although, using the cream within 1 1/2 hours to 30 min. prior to lovemaking will increase the sex drive and elevate the mood of lovemaking. This trick goes for the guys as well! Each month give yourself 5 days off and discontinue use if you discover that you are pregnant.

Now for the last and most elusive of the feel great hormones – Oxytosin. Yes that is the hormone that causes the contractions during labor and expels milk during breast feeding. Oxytosin is the thing responsible for making new moms forget the pains of childbirth and feel only the incredible joy of having her new baby. Most importantly Oxytosin IS THE orgasm hormone. All of the joy, the warm fuzzes and the afterglow of lovemaking all the product of Oxytosin. Most folks, men and women are dreadfully low on Oxytosin. One physician in a back east medical school is injecting women fibromyalgia patients with Oxytosin as an experimental therapy seeking to reduce the pain, depression and general malaise. Unfortunately for all of us Oxytosin injections are not available. Most docs limit its use to childbirth.

So we have to make the stuff the old fashioned way, by having fun! If you have a sex partner then use the hormone recommendations above and go to it with lust and gusto! The more orgasms you have, the more Oxytosin you make, its that simple! For those of you without sex partners, treat yourself to some one sided love making sessions. A very wise and caring female physical therapist I know once gently led an older woman fibromyalgia patient to the office bathroom, whispered in her ear and handed her a vibrator! Oxytosin release was the objective; a happier and less painful patient was the result. There is enough erotica out there, written, audio and visual to stimulate the solo practitioner. There are enough techniques and toys available for masturbation that the Oxytosin release results can be fruitful and fulfilling. Declare war on estrogen and its diseases. Up the happiness hormones and get back into a healthier happier and less dangerous life.

Benefits and Safety of Using Natural Progesterone

While natural progesterone has been referred to as a progestin because it maintains the lining of the uterus, it is technically separate and totally different from synthetic progestins. In addition, natural progesterone provides a number of biological actions which progestins do not. Some additional benefits reported with the use of natural progesterone include:

• reduces joint pain and swelling
• enhances skin moisture
• fades liver spots
• heals wounds faster
• reduces yeast infections
• supports the immune system
• protects against the side effects of unopposed estrogen
• tranquilizes
• promotes sleep

Therapeutic Applications of Natural Progesterone

In fact, there are many therapeutic uses for progesterone that promote health and well-being. Here is a short list of some of those benefits:

• helps to prevent osteoporosis, the formation of fibrocystic breasts, and breast cancer
• normalizes zinc and copper levels and maintains the secretory endometrium
• contributes to regulating the thyroid gland and blood clotting mechanisms
• acts as an antidepressant and precursor to corticosterones
• necessary for the proper production of adrenal hormones
• works to stabilize blood sugar and prevent salt retention
• enhances libido and thermogenesis (the burning of fat)
• protects the uterus and breasts from malignancies
• aids the survival and development of the fetus
• has a natural diuretic action
• is very hydrating to the skin in transdermal form

Safety of Natural Progesterone

Natural progesterone is one of the safest supplements available. In contrast to synthetic progestins, it has little or not side effects. Some women may experience an estrogen reaction upon first introducing natural progesterone to their system, and in these cases, estrogen-related symptoms may temporarily become worse. If this occurs, natural progesterone should be continued or dosages adjusted until hormonal balance is achieved. Incidental spotting between periods also may occur but is usually resolved within three to five cycles. The use of natural progesterone has not been linked to any form of human cancers. There is no known interference or alteration from combining natural progesterone with other drugs. No adverse effects of natural progesterone have been reported on the developing fetus of pregnant women, unlike its synthetic counterparts, however its use in pregnant or nursing mothers has not been clinically documented.

Dr. William Wong

Dr. William Wong is a Texas State Naturopathic Medical Association professional member, World Sports Medicine Hall of Fame member, a Classical Naturopath, a Ph.D. Exercise Physiologist, a Certified Athletic Trainer (AATA), a Certified Sports Medicine Trainer (ASMA), and a Health/Fitness Consultant. Dr. Wong has more than 23 years of professional experience in natural health, as applied to sports medicine and rehabilitation, with the last 12 devoted almost exclusively to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Dr. Wong has authored books on natural healing and has taught Physical Medicine at the South West College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona. His shorter writings have appeared in such diverse magazines as G.Q., Black Belt, Survival Guide, The Townsend Letter for Doctors, and Well Being Journal. In 1993, he was also inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Wing Chun Kung Fu Instructor of the Year.

Dr. Wong has been a guest on over 500 national and local radio programs, as well as appearing on the nationally acclaimed PBS series Healthy Living hosted by Jane Seymour. In November 2002, Dr. Wong appeared on the Heartbeat of America show hosted by William Shatner. Currently, using a blend of movement, nutrition, exercise and spirituality, Dr. Wong is specializing in developing programs for longevity and virility to help people overcome the effects of aging and the after-effects of chronic debilitating conditions.

Dr. William Wong and his wife Michele are devoted to bringing forth information on new and effective natural treatments for chronic illnesses, teaching llittle-knowninformation about exercise and spreading their philosophy on what they’ve found to be the cornerstones of a healthy and active life.