Hormones Resource Center

Natural Progesterone Cream Use and Sore Breasts: Will it make them Worse? By Catherine Rollins You know, by all accounts, breast pain is universal. In fact, breast pain (or mastalgia) is the most common breast related complaint among women. Nearly 70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their lives.

Progesterone for Prostate Health By James South, M.A. For middle-aged and older men, especially those over age 50, prostate problems are an unpleasant fact of life. It is estimated that half of men in the 50-plus age group suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland.

Progesterone Suppositories Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness Progesterone suppositories are usually compounded by individual pharmacists and consist of progesterone suspended in a base similar to cocoa butter. Upon insertion, the warmth of the body causes the suppository to melt and release the progesterone. Since suppositories are vaginally administered, the liver does not produce the high number of side effect-causing metabolites that can occur with natural progesterone taken orally. There is some question as to how long the progesterone is effective after insertion. It can be difficult to locate a pharmacy that will compound progesterone suppositories, and the process may cause a lower level of dosing accuracy and quality control.

Progesterone Side Effects Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness There are no harmful progesterone side effects. Often mistaken as “progesterone”, the synthetic progesterone (progestin) manufactured by commercial companies is harmful to the body, causing severe side effects. Tests show that synthetic progesterone (progestin) can cause harmful side effects including, partial loss of vision, birth defects, and breast cancer. However, natural progesterone such as Oasis Serene has not been associated with any reports of significant side effects. It will just raise your progesterone level and help to balance out the other hormones.

Progesterone Pregnancy Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness During the 10 to 15 years before menopause, many women regularly have cycles where they make enough estrogen to create menstruation, but the progesterone level may remain very low. This sets the stage for estrogen dominance. By using natural progesterone during these months, symptoms of PMS can be helped.

Progesterone Level Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness During the 10 to 15 years before menopause, many women regularly have cycles where they make enough estrogen to create menstruation, but the progesterone level may remain very low. This sets the stage for estrogen dominance. By using natural progesterone during these months, symptoms of PMS can be helped.

Low Progesterone Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness Even though progesterone levels may be low, it is a needed hormone for both menopausal women and andropausal men for many reasons. Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the ovary at ovulation and in low amounts by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone. When there is a low progesterone level, it needs to be replaced. The most important role of progesterone is to balance or oppose the effects of estrogen.

Alcohol and Hormones article syndicated from NIAAA Hormones are chemical messengers that control and coordinate the functions of all tissues and organs. Each hormone is secreted from a particular gland and distributed throughout the body to act on tissues at different sites. Two areas of the brain, the hypothalamus and the pituitary, release hormones, as do glands in other parts of the body, such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, gonads, pancreas, and parathyroid. For hormones to function properly, their amount and the timing of their release must be finely coordinated, and the target tissues must be able to respond to them accurately. Alcohol can impair the functions of the hormone-releasing glands and of the target tissues, thereby causing serious medical consequences.

Notable Hormone Replacement Therapy Quotes article syndicated from HRTSE "How did it come to be that one of the most commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapy drugs in the country was used for decades in so many millions of women before its long-term effects were ever studied systematically? This is an example of a big gap in U.S. health care and science policy regarding prescription drugs. If you are a company and can demonstrate that your drug works well for some short-term outcome, in this case it was the hot flashes of the menopause, that drug can then come to be used in a very widespread way for indications that really have nothing to do with the basis on which it was originally approved.” -Dr. Jerry Avorn, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School

Estrogen-Alone Hormone Therapy Could Increase Risk of Dementia in Older Women article syndicated from NIH Older women using estrogen-alone hormone therapy could be at a slightly greater risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), than women who do not use any menopausal hormone therapy, according to a new report by scientists with the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS). The scientists also found that estrogen alone did not prevent cognitive decline in these older women. These findings from WHIMS appear in the June 23/30, 2004, Journal of the American Medical Association.

WHI Study Finds No Heart Disease Benefit, Increased Stroke Risk With Estrogen Alone article syndicated from NIH A large, multi-center heart disease prevention study, part of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), found that estrogen-alone hormone therapy had no effect on coronary heart disease risk but increased the risk of stroke for postmenopausal women. The study also found that estrogen-alone therapy significantly increased the risk of deep vein thrombosis, had no significant effect on the risk of breast or colorectal cancer, and reduced the risk of hip and other fractures.

The Estrogen and Progestin Dilemma: New Advice, Labeling Guidelines by Linda Bren The Food and Drug Administration is giving important new safety advice to postmenopausal women and their health-care providers concerning drug products that contain estrogen. The updated advice, which includes product label revisions, reflects the agency's review of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer is Linked to Estrogen Replacement Therapy article syndicated from NIH Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have found that women in a large study who used estrogen replacement therapy after menopause were at increased risk for ovarian cancer. The report was published in the July 17, 2002, issue of JAMA.

FDA Approves New Labeling and Provides New Advice to Postmenopausal Women Who Use or Who Are Considering Using Estrogen and Estrogen With Progestin article syndicated from FDA FDA has carefully reviewed data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study to ensure that the labels of Prempro and similar estrogen, and estrogen with progestin, products are accurate.FDA has revised the labeling of Prempro, Premphase and Premarin for patients and physicians to reflect the WHI study's findings of increased risk from these products.

Hormones by Catherine Schairer, Ph.D. Hormones, substances produced in the body, have regulatory effects on specific organs. Estrogens and progesterone are two hormones produced predominantly in the ovary of the female. Estrogens control the development of feminine body characteristics, and both estrogens and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Androgens, which are produced predominantly in the male, determine masculine body characteristics. These hormones, or synthetic chemicals that have similar effects, are used as drugs for a variety of purposes.

Natural Hormone Balance Part 1 by John Russell Women's health issues nowadays include some popular buzz words-PMS, estrogen, cancer, hot flashes, natural progesterone, acne, headaches, menopause, and so on. The words are causing great debate amongst the medical industry. International Health Distribution, founders of IHDistribution.com, strongly advocates that the number one key to achieving and maintaining your health-no matter what your age-is Natural Hormone Balance.

Natural Hormone Balance Part 2 by John Russell In Part 1 of Natural Hormone Balance, we explored the ongoing debate about synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) vs. all-natural progesterone products. International Health Distribution understands the importance of HRT and how it affects women of all ages. We continually strive to not only provide top-of-the-line natural progesterone products, but also to educate and keep you informed of the latest medical studies on the subject. As promised in Part I of Natural Hormone Balance, International Health Distribution offers up some clarifying definitions of common buzz words among women's health.

Natural Progesterone: The World's Best Kept "Anti-Aging" Secret by Catherine P. Rollins Twenty years ago a doctor asked Marjorie why she wasn’t on progesterone to which she responded, “nobody told me I should be.” Within 3-4 days of commencing progesterone cream, she felt so much better about herself. More confident; more in control of her life. Marjorie points out she's been taking progesterone and feeling the benefits for twenty years without any side effects.

Freedom to Choose a Safer Form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) by Catherine P. Rollins While drug companies, politicians, doctors and health gurus argue what’s in the best interest of women’s health, women themselves are rarely given a voice in the hormonal health debate, an arena that sees women the casualties of exploitation and victims of political agendas.

Progesterone: Our "Happy" Hormone by Catherine P. Rollins We believe that if you give a woman back her progesterone - her mother hormone, her essence hormone - you give her back an opportunity to reconnect with herself. Far too many women have become so hormonally imbalanced that they have no clue as to what their true essence feels like. Often stress, a hectic lifestyle, or family can and do distract her.

Estrogen Dominance Linked to Cancer by Catherine P. Rollins Breast cancer is a major health issue. It is the most common cancer-related cause of death in women in Australia. One in twelve Australian women will develop the disease and each year many women die from it. World-wide about 1,670,000 women have breast cancer. And in North America, a woman dies of breast cancer every 12 minutes!

Pills, Patches, and Shots: Can Hormones Prevent Aging? article syndicated from NIA We could not survive without hormones. They are among the most common and vital chemical messengers in the body. From head to toe, each moment of life, they signal cells to perform tasks that range from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Among their many roles, hormones help regulate body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. In childhood, they help us “grow up.” In the teen years, they are the driving force behind puberty. But what influence, if any, the natural decline in some hormones has on the aging process in middle and late life is unclear.

Top Ten Reasons Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Works by Dr. Loretta Lanphier Studies and research show natural HRT really works. By using natural progesterone you can reap the benefits in many ways...

Natural Progesterone - Just the Facts, Please by Dr. Loretta Lanphier Sixty years ago, progesterone was found to be the main hormone produced by the ovaries. Since it was necessary for fertility, and for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, it was called the “pro-gestational hormone.” It’s the most protective hormone the body produces, and the large amounts that are produced during pregnancy result from the developing baby's need for protection from the stressful environment. Normally, the brain contains a very high concentration of progesterone, reflecting its protective function for that most important organ. The thymus gland, the key organ of our immune system, is also profoundly dependent on progesterone.

Teen Rap: Hormone Facts Adults Don't Always Know by Dr. Loretta Lanphier Are you wondering how to handle your body’s changes, acne, mood swings, anger, or just plain stress? Here’s the scoop—there’s a possible solution to these symptoms of hormonal problems that is simple to determine and inexpensive, too.

Are You Stressing Your Hormones? by Dr. Loretta Lanphier When your body is stressed at sustained high levels, the over production of the hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenals, gradually tears your body down. It destroys healthy muscle and bone; slows down healing and normal cell replacement; co-opts biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones; impairs digestion, metabolism and mental function; interferes with healthy endocrine function; and weakens your immune system.

Need for Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) by Dr. Loretta Lanphier You must be wondering with all of the hype about hormones, “Why do we need HRT in the first place?” In this article I address this concern with some straightforward information about natural HRT...

Myths of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) by Dr. Loretta Lanphier You’ve heard about HRT and maybe even natural HRT, but you’re not sure what the difference is, or why you are not told more about the differences. You are not alone. Women have been made to believe that hot flashes are the worse thing a woman can experience during her life. Let's realize that a woman can get through hot flashes. What she may not get through are the side effects of conventional HRT.

Complications Regarding Progesterone Cream by Dr. Joseph Mercola I have come to a recent realization regarding the use of these creams. Most women in our culture are estrogen dominant, so using the progesterone goes a long way towards balancing hormones which usually decreases a woman’s risk for breast cancer, improves her PMS and breast tenderness and normalizes her cycle. Like most good things in life if one uses too much of the hormone cream, complications can develop in disruption in one’s hormone balance.

Progesterone Helps Women Chill Out Faster When They Drink article syndicated from www.mercola.com Alcohol's legendary sedative effects may be caused by a brain steroid derived from progesterone that damps down anxiety. This could help explain why alcohol makes people feel so relaxed, and why men and women react to alcohol differently. It only takes a few drinking sessions for revellers to get acquainted with alcohol's effects. Scientists, though, have had a harder time figuring out exactly how the drug works on the brain.

FAQ's About Progesterone Cream by John R. Lee, M.D. and Virginia Hopkins What is Progesterone? Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone.

Saliva Testing of Hormones article syndicated from ZRT Laboratory Because steroid hormones play such a vital role in maintenance of health, knowledge of an imbalance in any one or more hormones can help illuminate the cause of health problems and provide a rational basis for correcting the imbalance through diet, exercise, or hormone supplementation. Are the levels of steroid hormones in blood and saliva the same?

Hormone Imbalance article syndicated from ZRT Laboratory How do I determine whether my hormones are balanced? To get a general idea of whether or not your hormones are balanced, you can take a quick self-test by clicking on the Determine Symptomslink on our website. Fill in those symptoms you are currently experiencing to see if they are associated either with a deficiency or excess of specific hormones. To be absolutely sure, however, you can measure specific levels of these hormones with saliva testing to determine if they are in balance or out of normal range.

Progesterone or Progestin - A Mistaken Identity by George Gillson, M.D., Ph.D. People!! Please, please, please make the critical distinction between progesterone and progestins in your mind and in your vocabulary! There is only one progesterone, and the word progesterone is not a catch-all or substitute for the words "progestin" or "progestagen". Similarly with the molecules themselves. Outside of contraceptive and oncologic uses, progestins are no substitute for progesterone, and the sooner the medical profession gets this message, the better. Casual interchange of these terms has helped us into the hormone pickle in which we now find ourselves.

PMS and The Yeast Connection by Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. Pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS can make life miserable, momentarily or monthly, for 90 percent of American women. It's a mishmash of symptoms--bloating, cramping, tender breasts, irritability, food cravings and a dozen other symptoms--that can occur in the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle (right after ovulation until the menstrual flow begins).

Menopause and Hormone Balance Issues article syndicated from ZRT Laboratory In the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) menstrual cycles that may once have been like clockwork start to become erratic. Bleeding may be heavier or lighter than usual—although women are not officially in menopause until they have had 12 consecutive months without a period. Erratic cycles are a sign of erratic ovulation leading to highs and lows in estrogen and progesterone, an effect many women describe as an emotional roller coaster.

New Federal "Report on Carcinogens" Lists Steroidal Estrogens Used in Estrogen Replacement Therapy to List of Known Human Carcinogens article syndicated from NIH The federal government today published its biennial "Report on Carcinogens", adding steroidal estrogens used in estrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptives to its official list of "known" human carcinogens. This and 15 other new listings bring the total of substances in the report, "known" or "reasonably anticipated" to pose a cancer risk, to 228.

Yoga for Menopause by Susan M. Lark, M.D. Yoga stretches can benefit both the body and the mind, bringing energy and balance. This is particularly helpful to women who are currently in menopause or in menopause transition because their hormonal levels and body chemistry may be fluctuating rapidly. This can leave women feeling out of balance and truly victims of their changing bodies. Yoga exercises level out this physiological instability by relaxing and gently stretching every muscle in the body, promoting better blood circulation and oxygenation to all cells and tissues.

PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome by Lee Mellott Millions of women experience symptoms of PMS every month. Crying spells, nervousness, anxiety, depression, bloating, headache, fatigue…The list goes on. Each woman is unique as to the degree of severity and discomfort she will experience and this will vary from month to month.

The Natural Hormone Solution by Henry C. Sobo, M.D. What are "natural" hormones? There are some misconceptions about them. First, natural hormones are not herbs, and they are not combinations of nutrients and plant sources which are meant to mimic the effect of hormones. Natural hormones are true hormones made by a compounding pharmacy and available by a doctor's prescription only.

Migraines and Hormones - A Natural Approach by Nicole Bandes It’s estimated that 40 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches. Headaches are one of the leading causes of missed work or school. So why is it that so many of us suffer from such annoying and often debilitating pains in the head? Honestly, there are several reasons.

Relieve Hot Flashes, Night Sweats and Mood Swings...Naturally Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness According to statistics, hot flashes occur in 40 - 90% of women during transition into menopause and up to 85% of women after menopause. Other typical complaints related to hot flashes include anxiety, nausea, feelings of suffocation and inability to concentrate. Here are steps to take to minimize or eliminate these symptoms.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About MenopauseBy Dr. John R. Lee An audio tap transcript of a lecture on Natural PRogesterone, given by Dr. John R. Lee, author of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause."