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.

Why do some females recover from brain injury much faster and more completely than males?

It seems the answer may be related to the neuroprotective effects of the hormone progesterone.

The benefits of maintaining a normal level of bioidentical progesterone (identical to what the body produces) is now well established in the care and treatment of women suffering the effects of hormone imbalance, most commonly seen around the time of menopause.

The research of neuroscientist Dr. Donald G. Stein and his colleagues provides a new dimension for the benefits of progesterone. Their research demonstrates  that neuroprotective effects of progesterone improve outcomes and reduce mortality following brain injuries.

Steins’ findings could also have far-reaching implications for the treatment of other neurological conditions such as central nervous system damage, stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Per www.mercola.com in the December 26 issue:

“Progesterone provides powerful neuroprotection to the fetus, particularly in late pregnancy, when it helps suppress neuronal excitation that can damage delicate new brain tissue. Dr. Stein and his colleagues have found that in addition to protecting the fetal brain, progesterone also protects and heals injured brain tissue.”

The most significant progesterone effect appears to be the reduction in cerebral edema, or swelling of the brain.

Some additional benefits appear to be an anti-inflammatory response, the draining of excess fluid from the region of the injury, the prevention of the death of injured brain cells, protective and regenerative effects on myelin, the protective coating on nerve fibers, and decreasing the likelihood of seizures that accompany brain injury.

The bottom line of Stein’s research? Progesterone, the hormone responsible for the  neuroprotection of the fetus as well as the natural treatment for menopausal issues, has now been identified to potentially positively impact brain injury recovery. This finding opens the door to research potential benefits for other neurological conditions.

The effects of this remarkable hormone continue to get better and better.

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!

I thought it might be helpful to address the following blog response from Lori here where I can copy and paste some info.  Lori writes:

“Hello. I just joined the Canary Club and am in tears. I have been ‘suffering.’  I was diagnosed in 2005 as having hypothyroidism and was put on a compounded T3/T4 30mg capsule. I have been on that since. Based on blood work, my endocrinologist has kept me on the same capsule. It wasn’t until I went to him with other ‘challenges’ (constipation, fatigue, heavy periods, brain fog) that he just prescribed bio-identical progesterone cream.  He didn’t even listen to me. I just didn’t feel right about slapping some cream on with no reason so I did the saliva test with Diagnosis Tech and it came back I am estrogen dominant/low progesterone. I wanted some guidance so I went to a naturopathic doctor. She put me on a sublingual progesterone pellet.  When my levels get low, I get a migraine.  I still have low energy, fatigue, anxiety/panic, and heavy periods…  I don’t know what else to do. My husband is trying to be supportive but he wants ‘ME’ back…  I just turned 37 and this has been going on since last October, 08 with the symptoms recently getting worse…

I am open to suggestions.  I have seen many doctors and the naturopath is the only one who is listening to me… My primary doctor put me on Wellbutrin and Klonopin and I didn’t do well at all with either of these… My employer is not very sympathetic…  Please, any advice is appreciated.”

In my role as a Registered Nurse, I serve as an educational assistant to physicians. I am not licensed to diagnose or treat. What I can do is provide some information that will be of help to you and your health care providers, and I will provide some resources that perhaps can also be of assistance.

My first thought is, yes, you are suffering and, yes, you can be helped to get the old “ME” back!

A confusing point is that many of the symptoms of thyroid disorder and sex hormone imbalance are similar. For example, the symptoms you list can be found listed in resources as symptoms of both. Since you have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism, three wonderful thyroid resources you might want to consult are Thyroid Power by Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames, Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, and Stop the Thyroid Madness by Janie A. Bowthorpe.

 As Dr. Shames addresses in Thyroid Power, “The standard lab tests are unable to identify the millions of borderline low thyroid sufferers. The thyroid tests used today are just not sensitive enough to identify mild thyroid failure. You could be uncomfortably low in thyroid and still show normal in tests. Individuals differ in what is ‘normal’ for them.”

 jIn Hypothyroidism Type 2, Dr. Starr devotes an entire chapter to explaining the fallacies in our current thyroid testing. In it he states, “Doctors currently ignore patients’ medical histories and physical findings consistent with hypothyroidism. The laboratory tests for the illness reign supreme.” Dr Starr goes on to say, “Modern doctors use the thyroid blood tests as guidelines for treatment as well as diagnosis. The end result is the health disaster that is upon us.”

 Bowthorpe’s fascinating book, Stop the Thyroid Madness, is filled with countless stories, case studies, and data demonstrating the enormity of this problem.

 My recommendation is to become your own health care advocate. Start by educating yourself so that you are in a better place to discuss your symptoms with your health care practitioners. For example, what are your thyroid levels? Do they fall in the controversial “within normal range” values? Which thyroid tests were performed?  Are they the tests that those knowledgeable in bioidentical hormone balancing know to order?

 You mention that you are estrogen dominant and have low progesterone. Again, what were your saliva results? One can be estrogen dominant and still be estrogen deficient. On the other hand, thyroid hormone levels are closely tied to sex hormone balance. For example, excess estrogen can block thyroid function. 

The sex hormones, adrenals, and thyroid are all closely connected. For this reason, it is important to look at the levels for all three in attempting to determine the root cause of your symptoms.

Physicians in the traditional medical model administer anti-depressants for symptom control. The question I encourage you to ask is, “What is the root cause of my symptoms?”  A synthetic drug given for symptom relief does not correct the underlying problem. Something is out of balance.

Where to turn for help? You mentioned you recently joined the Canary Club (www.canaryclub.org). That web site contains much helpful educational material as well as home test kits. The medical advisor is Dr. Richard Shames, author of Thyroid Power. It is my understanding that you can consult with him, and he can assist you individually or help you to locate a physician in your area.

Another resource is Bellevue Pharmacy with its home office located in St. Louis, MO. Google www.bellevuerx.com and research their “Patient Empowerment Program.” As part of that program, compounding pharmacists provide clients with information/recommendations to give to their physician. If you do not have a physician, or do not have a physician who is willing to work with you, they will assist you to locate one in your area.  

No, you are not losing your mind. And, no, you do not need to live like this the next 20 years. Too many women are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and we can do something about it. My goal in publishing my upcoming book Live Vibrantly NOW! The Complete Woman’s Guide to Balance Your Hormones Naturally is designed to help stop this needless suffering!

There is a gift for men and women of all ages located in the heartland of the USA in St. Louis, Missouri. Yesterday Dr. Gabhart and I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Hueseman, R.PH., P.D., co-owner of Bellevue Pharmacy and their Marketing Manager, Mike Lockwood, as well as all of their staff.  

As you know, one of my passions is connecting men and women to reputable resources who can help them with bioidentical hormone balancing. I am so grateful I was blessed to meet them just as I am completing what I hope is the “final” final editing of my soon-to-be released book so that I can add their contact information to my list of client resources.

I encourage you to visit their web site, www.bellevuerx.com. I went there this morning for the first time myself – and ended up spending several  hours there.

The first thing I clicked on was their mission statement. What I can say to you is I saw their mission statement in action yesterday and can validate that they walk their talk on each of the following three bullet points:

“To provide for the individual needs of our customers, both patients and physicians, striving to be the market leader among compounding pharmacies in the areas of

• Quality assurance & quality control
• Customer service
• Cutting edge knowledge and technology “

The website is rich with educational resources for client and health care practitioners alike.

In my experience, I have found that men and women often don’t know where to turn for help. The “Patient Empowerment Program”  seems to be expressly designed for this purpose:

“Participants in the Bellevue Patient Empowerment Program receive a phone or in-office consultation with one of our pharmacists. During this consultation we discuss your symptoms, any pertinent laboratory results, alternative therapies you may discuss with your doctor, and the risks and benefits of these therapies.

Also included in the program, our pharmacists will document our assessment and therapeutic recommendations for you, which may include customized hormone replacement therapy. This clinical documentation is then provided to you and your physician to facilitate your discussion with your doctor.

If you do not have a physician who will prescribe for you the therapy we discuss, we can provide you with a referral to a physician in your area who may be more open to such therapy alternatives.

The fee for this program is $2 per minute, 15 minute minimum.”

Bellevue Pharmacy will direct bill your insurance. Products are delivered to your door.

In summary, the Bellevue Pharmacy is fully staffed with experienced compounding pharmacists who are knowledgeable in bioidentical hormone balancing, ready to assist both you and your physician, no matter what state in which you are located. If you do not have a physician, or have one who is receptive, they will even help you to find one.  

Here is yet one more example of a quality resource destined to change the lives of thousands of men and women across this country. Let it be said one more time… it is way past time to stop the suffering. Who do you know that is suffering needlessly from symptoms of hormone imbalance? Why not give them the gift of learning about the services available through this site?

I returned home late last night after working with Dr. Gabhart on my second book about hormone balancing. I know, I know, get the first one finished first! I’m getting there, slow but sure.

 Anyway, when I got home, I did a quick check of my email messages from the day. This one from a friend got me fired up:

 “Hi Rosie! I miss you…I do have a question for you. 

What is your opinion on NovaSure?  Does this have an impact on hormone levels etc…? 

Would you have it done? 

I value your opinion…thanks Rosie.”

For those of you not familiar, here’s what comes up when you Google NovaSure: “The NovaSure endometrial procedure is a simple, one-time treatment that gently removes the lining of the uterus to control heavy bleeding. The NovaSure endometrial ablation procedure is treatment for irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding, or menorrhagia. Say No More with the NovaSure procedure, the quick, safe and simple one-time treatment with No Hormones and No Hysterectomy. NovaSure can treat excessive bleeding so that you can go on with your life.”

Here is my response:

“Well, I cannot give advice, not legally allowed to, but I can tell you what I would do if it were me. Apparently it is for heavy periods? My question is, “What is the root cause of the heavy bleeding?” NovaSure is not the root cause. NovaSure is a treatment for a symptom. If it were me, I’d have a complete hormone evaluation: sex hormones, thyroid, and adrenal evaluation to see what the root cause is and then work to fix that. And it takes the right practitioner to know WHICH tests to order, because most are not aware of the correct tests to order.

 I have read 4 books on the thyroid and one on the adrenal these past couple of months. I have added info in my manuscript about the thyroid and the adrenals. There is a whole lot more going on besides progesterone. I am working with Dr. Gabhart to write a second book. She understands complete hormone balancing as well as any expert in the literature, so if it were me, I would go to her for an evaluation. She helped me to uncover hypothyroidism in myself. Among many other things, I kept gaining weight and couldn’t lose. I am on the upswing now, and I am a full-fledged believer in balancing all the hormones. That’s what needs to be done to make all the stupid, needless symptoms go away – fix the root cause. OK, off my soap box now!”

 Think about it…look at the advertisement for the ablation procedure: “gently removes the lining of the uterus to control heavy bleeding.” My first question is, “How do you gently remove the lining of the uterus?” Is this a natural, normal thing to do?  My next question: “What caused the heavy bleeding in the first place? Is removing the lining going to fix the original root cause?”

  OK, so let’s say the lining is now removed. What other effects of hormone imbalance are happening in the body besides the heavy bleeding? Did the ablation fix that? What’s going to show up next? Another question, I wonder how much money these procedures are bringing in? What if those procedures could be avoided?

 Denise responded to a blog article I wrote last week and recommended the book The H Word by Nora W. Coffey and Rick Schweikert, available on Amazon or through the HERS Foundation.  I am so grateful to her for making me aware of this book, published in 2008. I just received my copy and have only read the first two chapters, but I can already tell I am going to appreciate this book! Here is what the caption says on the cover: “The diagnostic studies to evaluate symptoms, alternatives in treatment, and coping with the aftereffects of hysterectomy.”

 My recommendation: invest some time in yourself. Start reading and educating yourself about hormone balancing so that you are in a better place to actively participate in your care and consequent outcomes. A good place to start is Hormone Balance Made Simple by Dr. John Lee and Virginia Hopkins.  Next, share your learnings with other women. Together we will make a positive impact in our own lives and the lives of others.

Nothing like starting your day with a bee in your bonnet…

The first thing I saw when I opened my computer this morning was a response to an article I had written about hormone balancing.

The responder shared the following heartbreaking story:

Thank you for your post. I hope vibrant days are ahead. I too am a nurse. Despite 15+ years of nursing, I never knew the scope of hormones and their function. After a total hysterectomy in Dec 2005 I felt OK for the first year but things began to change. Symptoms began to appear and I was first told it was due to stress, then depression. Now after a 40 lb weight gain despite the fact I exercise and eat only 1000 calories/day the doctors think I am lying about what I eat. All the hair on my arms and legs as well as the outer third of my eyebrow hair fell off a year ago and have not regrown but they can’t explain why. My thyroid tests were fine. They assure me it is not related to hormones or the hysterectomy. I am fatigued, moody, hot, forgetful, constipated and the list goes on. I have seen several doctors and they feel it is all related to stress. My son had surgery last fall and my husband is serving in Iraq. I have quit my job and do not feel stressed at all but feel worse than ever. The only stress is that I can’t figure out what is wrong with me! I was starting to wonder if I really was losing my mind but now realize it could all be due to a hormone imbalance! I have ordered a saliva test kit and several books on hormones and hope to educate myself and perhaps a few MD’s. Again, thanks for reminding us there is a rainbow after this storm.

My reply:

Here is the thing I am compelled to tell you: YES! There IS a rainbow after this storm!! I am so proud of you for getting the test kit and starting to research. You will be amazed at what you will uncover!! You have got to do the research because chances are, you won’t find the help you need in the traditional medical community. I would suggest that you not only look at your sex hormones – look at your adrenals and thyroid also! I started out only supplementing with progesterone and felt so good because my progesterone was so low – my thyroid tests always came back “within normal limits.” NOT SO! When I did the entire comprehensive panel this year and shared my results with an expert who understands hormone balance and endocrinology, I learned that I am hypothyroid. Ahh, so all those symptoms, a list of 15 or so, were NOT just from the normal aging process (I am 57). I feel GREAT and so can you – it is just a matter of finding the right physician who totally understands bioidentical hormone balancing – and understands the interconnectedness of ALL of the hormones: sex, adrenal, and thyroid!! I don’t know where you are located? I am in southern Indiana where Dr. Whitney Gabhart, ND, conducts fabulous seminars: “Hormones 101, Feeling Fat, Fatigued, and Female?” I am working with her to figure out a way to video her presentations or skype them in order to reach more women. We are also in the process of writing a book on all of this. She is an ND and in Indiana NDs cannot write prescriptions, so she works as an educational assistant to local physicians. You can also get help from Dr. Shames through the Canary Club. Books I would recommend are Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames’Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, and Frazzled? and Dr. John Lee/Virginia Hopkins’ Hormone Balance Made Simple. Both good places to start. My book that is soon to be released is designed to help women realize that there is such a wonderful life ahead – they just have to be aware and know where to get help and what to do. Another comment, you and I were not “fine” or we would not have had hysterectomies. Years of imbalance brought that on. When I read your list of symptoms, I can see all of them printed in the tables in any hormone balancing book you pick up. You are on to something, and I will tell you what it is – it’s wonderful days ahead for you. You are on the right path!

Every day thousands of women suffer needlessly as a result of hormone imbalance, something that can be remedied with the help of a knowledgeable health care practitioner and a plan of action.

As we awaken, one by one, together we will stop this needless suffering. We will change lives, restoring quality of life for all women everywhere.

The article “Media Blasts Oprah for Supporting Alternative Medicine” in today’s issue of mercola.com is simply a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in healthy hormone balance.

Dr. Mercola has provided a wealth of information, countless links to additional educational information, and even a link to the notorious article appearing in Newsweek Magazine. If you have not yet read that article, please take the time to make yourself aware.  

Earlier this week I wrote an article about truth. With the ease of print today, you truly must educate yourself about the source of any information you see printed. Dr. Mercola, a hard-working advocate for our health and well-being, points out to us some background information about the author as well as the magazine:

“And one thing you won’t see mentioned in the Newsweek article is the fact that Pat Wingert is the co-author of a pharmaceutically biased book on hormones and menopause, and that Newsweek is heavily funded by pharmaceutical companies.”

The excerpt provided from the Alternet article in which Dr. Deepak Chopra responded to the Oprah bashing is simply profound:

“The criticism the medical establishment is directing at Oprah through this article only exposes their own frustration in having squandered their credibility with the public. They hope that if they can successfully attack Oprah’s immense credibility, then they can magically get some of that credibility back for themselves. However, if people still trusted the health care industry to act in their best interest the way they did decades ago, then it would be unnecessary to brand Oprah for “crazy talk” simply because she occasionally provides a forum for ideas outside of mainstream medicine.(American Medical Association). She promotes wellness and prevention, two areas that drastically need improvement. She brings up creative solutions to problems that medical science is baffled by, such as the healing response itself and the role of subjectivity in patient response. These are issues that few M.D.s are willing to explore, yet she has done so for decades.

The medical profession is burdened with a host of problems that Oprah addresses with more candor and force than the AMA

… What this tells me is that medicine needs Oprah and other patient advocates who are demanding that official medicine heal itself. To accuse them of lacking medical credibility is a red herring. Patients aren’t supposed to know more than their physicians. The fact that they often do, at least insofar as alternative treatment goes, is both a sign of hope and cause for distress.”

The link to the Michael Borkin article, Women’s Hormones, is lengthy, but well worth the read.

It is simply astounding to me how our “alternative medicine” practices got to be labeled “alternative.” The real “alternative” medical practices are those that poison us with synthetic drugs, all in the name of money and greed.

Please take some time today or this week to go to the mercola.com website to review the posted information: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/18/Media-Blast-Oprah-for-Supporting-Alternative-Medicine.aspx.

You and I simply must take the initiative to educate ourselves and others in order promote wellness and prevention. Your own health and well-being depend upon it. 

This past weekend a friend emailed me a number for a recorded call with Michael Clouse, nationally known speaker and direct sales/network marketing guru. This morning I decided to listen to the call as I took Suzie and Riley for their morning walk. I have to say, I was quite impressed with what he had to say.

The big stir was over an article that appeared last week (May 14) in the USA Today titled “Direct Sales Offer Recession-Proof Jobs.” When I returned from my walk, I pulled up the article on the internet to read it for myself. From my personal experience, I find the content to indeed be valid.

Almost five years ago I stumbled on a flyer in a health food store advertising an upcoming free program on “Discover Wellness and Natural Hormone Balancing.” A nurse for 30 years, I had never heard of “natural hormone balancing.” Long story short, that seminar changed my life, maybe saved it. It started my journey into health and wellness…and ultimately to the writing of the book I am about to publish, The Awakened Body, A Woman’s Guide to Feeling Vibrant…Naturally.

The company sponsoring the program was Arbonne International. After I conducted my own research, I called and asked to purchase the progesterone cream – but refused to sign up as a “wholesale consultant” to get a discount because I didn’t want to be tricked into anything. I proudly paid the full retail price. That purchase was to change my life. I next tried the omega 3 product and noted significant changes. I then was given an RE9 facial product sample which smoothed away my wrinkles and made me look younger. It was only at that point that I “signed up” – just to get the discount by having my own account.

I was so excited at how I felt and looked. Everyone wanted to know what I was doing. In 13 months I was a Regional Vice President in the company, having had zero experience in sales, not even liking the word. Along the way my personal research taught me that what I put on my skin is perhaps even more impactful than the benefits of the progesterone cream I was using. I learned that the skin is our largest body organ and whatever is placed on the skin rapidly makes its way into our blood stream and body organs.

I have found the integrity of the company to be impeccable. The products live up to the company’s mission of “safe, pure, beneficial.” The products are herbal and botanical, rich in healthy ingredients such as anti-oxidants, no artificial dyes or fillers, no animal byproducts, no mineral oil or petroleum byproducts, pH correct for the skin, and dermatologist tested.

I am sold on every single product the company makes, and my family and I use all of it. There is a wide variety of products: body, face, & skin care for baby, teen, and adult men & women, detox, health, wellness & anti-aging products, weight management, vitamins, & nutrition, aromatherapy, make-up, etc., etc. These are products I would normally purchase elsewhere. Now I have the satisfaction of knowing that I am using products that support my health and wellness, not detract from it.

As I was walking this morning, it occurred to me how little I have shared about these products and the business opportunity this past year as I have devoted all my time to taking writing classes and working on my manuscript. I realized how I have done people a disservice by not telling them about these products that will improve their lives – from a health and wellness perspective as well as a financial perspective.

The USA Today article and Michael Clouse’s information is absolutely right on. There are literally thousands of direct sales/network marketing companies popping up in this day of lost jobs and loss of retirement savings in the stock market. There is an incredible opportunity to generate extra income by using and sharing high quality health and wellness products with your friends and family. It is important to use the products yourself, and when you do, you will become as passionate as I am, which then makes it so easy to share with others. I feel I have the responsibility to make people aware. It is then their choice to make their own decisions.

If you would like to listen to the call by Michael Clouse, here is the number. I am not sure how long it will be available: (410) 426-6969, access code 85214473#. If I can be of assistance, feel free to contact me at rosiebrown@myarbonne.com. Have a wonderful day!  :  )

The most common method of progesterone delivery is via a cream base for transdermal application to the skin. The dictionary definition of “transdermal” is “supplying a medication in a form for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream.” The skin is an excellent medium for absorption. Progesterone cream is applied to the cheeks, neck, chest, breast, inner arms, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet, if not calloused. For best absorption, it is recommended to rotate the application site. Since progesterone is known for its relaxant properties, it is recommended to apply the cream before bedtime.

A word of caution…mineral oil creates a barrier on the skin, hence a barrier to the absorption of the progesterone cream. For this reason it is best to apply the cream over products that do not contain mineral oil.  For maximum absorption, avoid applying progesterone cream over makeup, soaps, and lotions that contain mineral oil.

Other Hormone Delivery Methods

In the information below, Virginia Hopkins (www.virginiahopkinshealthwatch.com) provides a description of transdermal and other types of hormone delivery methods: 

Hormone Delivery Systems: Pill, Patch or Pellet?

There are other important issues about how hormones are delivered. They can be given in a pill, as a troche/sublingual (held in the cheek or under the tongue), injected under the skin in time-release pellets, with vaginal suppositories, with injections, and through the skin (transdermal) with a cream or patch.

A hormone pill has to travel through the digestive system and liver before being delivered to the blood, so as much as 80 to 90 percent of it is lost in this process. Thus, a 100 mg progesterone pill may deliver 10 to 20 mg of progesterone to the blood and tissues. The other 80 to 90 mg may be excreted or turned into byproducts that can have a wide variety of (often negative) effects on the body.

Troche or sublingual hormone delivery causes a steep rise in hormones, followed by a steep fall, creating a roller coaster effect that does not promote hormone balance. Testosterone delivered this way can cause local effects such as hair growth on the face.

Pellets can be a convenient delivery system, but the downside is that once they’re injected under the skin they don’t come out, so a woman is stuck with those hormone dosages for months. If she’s getting too much estrogen or testosterone in particular, she may suffer months of unwanted side effects such as bloating, breakthrough bleeding, insomnia, weight gain and so forth. We also do not know the long term consequences of having pellets put under the skin over many years.

Vaginal suppositories are messy and drippy. Need I say more? Some people claim that vaginal hormone suppositories only have local effects on the vagina and uterus. Not so. This is essentially transdermal delivery, so once again the hormones are not showing up in the part of the blood that is being tested, so it’s assumed that they aren’t there! Hormones delivered vaginally have effects throughout the body.

Hormone injections are unnecessarily invasive, and tend to leave painful bumps at the injection site. This is a primitive way to deliver hormones.

Hormone creams and patches are presently the most effective hormone delivery system, because hormones enter the bloodstream directly and gradually. Virtually all of the hormone in the cream or patch gets into the bloodstream if it is put on thin areas of the skin such as the inner arms. If put on fatty areas such as the buttocks, the hormones may sit in the fat cells.