Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men. Prostate enlargement is a major cause of problems in elderly men. It appears that a simple, safe inexpensive solution to prevent and treat prostate problems is the use of progesterone replacement.

Research has demonstrated that progesterone has the ability to prevent and reverse many cancers. The research also shows that estrogen, specifically estradiol, actually causes breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Men also make estrogen and estradiol, but in smaller amounts than women. Males also produce progesterone, although about half as much as females do.

The male hormone, testosterone, is antagonist to estradiol. Testosterone prevents estradiol from causing prostate cancer by destroying the prostate cancer cells it stimulates.

There appears to be some confusion about the role of testosterone. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. If this were the case, young males would be stricken with cancer as they have the highest testosterone levels.

Embryologically, the prostate is similar to the female uterus. When we think of “hormone imbalance, we tend to think of women. However, hormone balance in the male is just as important as in females. In the males, the prostate gland is affected by hormone imbalance.

How does hormone balance work in the male? Per Dr. Mercola’s explanation:

“As a male ages, his progesterone level decreases just like it does in women. In women this decease occurs about the age of 35 and men about ten years later. When progesterone levels decrease, the male’s 5 alpha reductase converts the testosterone to di-hydro testosterone which is useless at removing the prostate cancer cells that estradiol stimulates. Estradiol also stimulates the enlargement of the prostate. This allows the prostate gland to swell and enlarge and in many cases transform into prostate cancer.”

More simply stated, estradiol “turns on the cancer gene” and progesterone “turns on the anti-cancer gene.” In women, studies have demonstrated that breast cancer cells do not multiply when women are on progesterone.

Dr. Mercola further states, “I now believe that nearly all men should seriously consider natural progesterone replacement sometime in their 40s, or even earlier if they have a family history of prostate cancer. There is also a reasonable likelihood that this will decrease male balding. So, all the men who wish to retain what is left of their hair, I would start this immediately.”

My personal thought is that both men and women would be well served to have hormone testing prior to use of any hormones. In order to hit a target, one has to see what they are aiming for.

Progesterone can be purchased over the counter. It is important to recognize that progesterone is a hormone, and its indiscriminate use is not a wise or safe choice.

Home hormone test kits can be obtained from compounding pharmacies, some doctors’ offices, and various internet sites. The kits do not require a doctor’s order. I have found the most cost effec tive hormone test kit can be purchased from www.canaryclub.org.

For women, the usual dose of natural progesterone is about 20 mg per day from day 12 to 26. The dose of natural progesterone for men is about half that, or 10 to 12 mg per day. Unlike women, men can use progesterone without taking any days off.

Even though the above are customary doses, care needs to be individualized since people vary in the amount their body requires for effective treatment. Seek the advice of a health care practitioner knowledgeable in the field of bioidentical hormone balance.

I invite you to share the information in this article with all the men you know… and the women who love them.

Dr. Mercola’s article posted on 9-19-09, www.mercola.com, explains why I haven’t been able to get my Armour Thyroid for the past month! I will include snipits of the article below, but anyone with a thyroid issue must read the information he posted and take action.

The title of the article is “Is the FDA Poised to Ban a Century-Old Natural Remedy?” The article starts out with this shocking news:

“Major Pharmaceuticals has put out a press release saying that they’ve been forced to shut down production of all natural desiccated thyroid drugs, a treatment for hypothyroidism that has been in use for over a century. Major received notice from the FDA that their complete line of desiccated thyroid drugs can no longer be manufactured, and that the FDA is pulling the designation that allowed them to sell these drugs.

Major is also saying that the FDA is requiring that all manufacturers that wish to continue manufacturing submit an NDA or ANDA (New Drug Application or Abbreviated New Drug Application) for approval. Desiccated thyroid drugs were in use in the early 1900’s, and already on the market when the government regulatory groups to oversee medications were formed, so they never went through the new drug application process.

Biotech, Time Cap Labs, and Major are no longer manufacturing natural desiccated thyroid drugs. RLC and Forest are now the last makers of natural desiccated thyroid drugs in the U.S., and their products are unavailable or in short supply in throughout the nation.”

Dr. Mercola cites the work of Mary Shomon, the www.about.com thyroid expert, crediting her as one of the leaders in the field. Shomon raises the warning flag about a very important issue for many people – the potential elimination of bioidentical hormones from the market.

Based upon Dr. Mercola’s endorsement of Shomon, I immediately ordered and can’t wait to read her new book, The Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause by Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism this spring, I have been reading everything I can about the significance of the Adrenal Glands and Thyroid Gland on hormone balancing. From all I have studied, I totally agree with her title. Hormone balancing is much bigger and much more complex than simply looking at a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels.

What is not commonly known by the medical establishment and public is that there is an epidemic of thyroid problems, the reasons for which I will explain in subsequent articles this week.

What is so alarming is that according to Shomon’s report, “the FDA has already shut down natural desiccated thyroid drug production and distribution by three firms:

• Biotech
• Major
• Time Cap Labs

Two other major manufacturers/distributors now have long-term backorders for their bioidentical hormone products, which include Armour, Nature-Throid, and Westroid.

Dr. Mercola explains: “The uncertainty about the future of natural thyroid drug options has led patients and practitioners to form a new coalition designed to help protect your right to choose, under the banner “Save Natural Thyroid.”

They’ve also formed a Save Natural Thyroid Facebook Group to strategize and help keep thyroid patients informed. If you or anyone you love uses bioidentical hormones, you may want to join this group to keep up on the latest updates.”

It was comforting to read that Dr. Mercola and Shomon have had strategic discussions on the next step to preserve this important resource.

I personally plan to research and join the two groups Dr. Mercola has informed us about. I encourage you to do all you can to help spread the word so that we as the public can lend support to stop this travesty from occurring.

I intend to focus on the topic of the adrenals and thyroid in my upcoming articles. Their impact on our hormonal health and balance is huge!