I am writing today’s article on a topic that has been bothering me for some time…the indiscriminate use of bioidentical progesterone without saliva testing and supervision by a knowledgeable bioidentical hormone practitioner. I was reminded again of my concern on the recent Oprah shows when Dr. Christiane Northrup commented that the body can convert excess progesterone into other things that are not necessarily beneficial. She said she was not for “web site sales” where it is inferred you don’t need to see a doctor and “…send things through the mail.” I can see how she comes to the conclusion she makes in the latter comment.
Bioidentical progesterone is a hormone, just as synthetic progestin is a hormone. It is important to have progesterone levels monitored as well as all hormone levels monitored. Balance of all hormones is the key. It is also important to work with a qualified practitioner.
Progesterone does not require a prescription in the US. It is common to see women become ecstatic when they start to feel so much better once using the progesterone cream. I will NEVER forget that feeling. It was incredible! However, I cringe when I see women using excessive amounts. They start to feel better and then make the mistake of thinking that if a little is good, a lot is a lot better. That is not necessarily the case. I have heard women talk about the stress they are under, and then joke about needing another pump of progesterone. I can’t emphasize enough that bioidentical progesterone is a hormone and is not to be used indiscriminately. I pose this question: if the body normally produces 20 milligrams of progesterone per day, then why, for example, would you give your body 40 milligrams? Again, for your own health and safety, I recommend that you work with a health care provider who knows you and who has a good understanding of natural hormone balancing and saliva testing.
I also have a concern about the quality of the various progesterone creams on the market. A few years ago I read a study where random testing was conducted on various over-the-counter drugs…name brand companies. The results were staggering. The amount of milligrams were inconsistent from pill to pill, tablet to tablet, capsule to capsule. In some cases, the capsule/tablet/pill contained scant to none of the active ingredient…and these were name brand companies! What made up the rest of the? Fillers of some sort. The quality of the product is dependent upon the integrity of the company producing it.
Knowing that you have a high quality progesterone cream is very important. The progesterone cream that I use comes from a company whose ethic is driven by “pure, safe, beneficial.” I would not consider using any other brand of progesterone. The equipment used to create the progesterone cream is state of the art, and the company guarantees consistent dosing throughout the container of product. It is packaged in an air tight container, thus preventing oxidation of the product. What this means is that the last dose in the container is as potent as the first. The progesterone comes in a pre-metered pump, delivering 20 mg per pump, the normal physiologic amount produced daily by our bodies. The product contains no artificial fillers and no animal byproducts. It is produced in a facility that practices GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
In summary, remember that bioidentical progesterone is a hormone. Yes, when your hormones are balanced you will feel the difference, and it does feel wonderful. However, work with an experienced practitioner to assure that your hormone levels remain in balance, and really research the product that you are using to be assured that it is of high quality for optimum and consistent results.
