Progestins Vs. Progesterone Progestins Defined:
Are synthetic hormones prescribed to both men and women to
treat hormone imbalances. They offer many benefits including
the following:
- Helping to regulate the menstrual cycle by causing changes
in the uterus that helps the lining shed and vaginal bleeding
to occur.
- Increasing progesterone levels, this helps women who do
not make enough progesterone to sustain a fetus to full
term.
- Preventing estrogen from thickening the lining of the
uterus (endometrial hyperplasia) in women experiencing menopause
and are being treated with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Drug names and categories
Premarin, conjugated estrogen; Provera, Prempro, Premphase
and Cycrin are medroxyprogesterone acetate and methytestosterone.
Estrace, a micronized estradiol.
Side effects
Cardiovascular complications, suspected links to uterine and
breast cancer, blood clots, insomnia, menstrual irregularities,
depression, maculating effects, breast tenderness, fluid retention
and edema Progesterone:
A natural hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary in
women. In the ovaries, progesterone is a precursor to estrogen.
Progesterone is also made
in small amounts in both men and women in the adrenal glands
and testes for the males. Uses
Progesterone is a very important
hormone that is necessary to produce other hormones. A deficiency
in progesterone levels can also result in deficiencies and
problems with other hormones.
Products
There are several choices. The most popular and affordable
is a transdermal cream, such as Sarati's
Natural Progesterone Cream with 960 mg per 2 oz tube or
15-20mg a day. A simple and very effective option for a relatively low cost.
A compounding pharmacy is also an option. Initially, blood
work must be done to establish hormone levels and then a physician
can write a prescription for the compounding pharmacy. This
option can be much more expensive than natural
progesterone cream. |
