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Cons of progesterone

by E
(Florida)

I found these statements on a wesite can you please offer a rebuttle ? they are talking about natural progesterone not the fake man made one...

The Vagina & Urinary Tract

Excessive progesterone may increase urinary incontinence and even counteract the beneficial effects of estrogen in maintaining urinary control 5, 6, 7, 8.

The Libido

Excessive progesterone may decrease libido due to antiestrogen and anti-androgen effect 9, 10. As well as decreasing libido, excessive levels may induce depression 11.

Blood Sugar & Insulin

While estrogens help the cells of the body utilize glucose more efficiently by making them more sensitive to insulin, progesterone can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity, having an effect on blood sugar that is similar glucocorticosteroids 12. This interference with the action of insulin can interfere with normal glucose uptake and cause insulin resistance 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

The ability of progesterone to interfere with proper function of insulin and glucose has since been associated with gestational diabetes 18, 19, 20 as well as hormone replacement therapies 21,15, 22, 12 and has been been observed in both synthetic & non-synthetic progesterone 20, 23, 24, 12. Even the high progesterone levels which occur naturally during the luteal phase can induce insulin resistance in some women 21, 16.

Comments for Cons of progesterone

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Aug 16, 2011
 Source
by: Anonymous

Can you include the source so I can look at it too?
Aug 16, 2011
 Interested in info too!
by: Anonymous

Often times I see questions that I would like to hear the answers to but don't seem to be able to see the answers unless I comment also, so ... I'm commenting. Love to hear the answers too.
Aug 16, 2011
 i dont understand
by: Anonymous

i dont understand how anyone can feel progesterone can cause problems, as when you have conceived your body makes up to 500mg a day to keep your Pregnancy. In my mothers day you where Prengnant every 9 months and breastfeeding, how i see it , in our mothers day they had less periods, so less estrogen and PMT. and lots of progesterone. happy days, i could be wrong, but i hope not.
Aug 18, 2011
 Cons of progesterone
by: Wray

Hi E I hope my answer reassures you and the other women who have made comments too. But as one of them said, I too would like to see your references. At the junction of the urethra and the bladder is a sphincter which controls the emptying of the bladder. Progesterone and oestrogen receptor sites are found in the urethra, so excess oestrogen can cause water retention. This in turn would swell the sphincter making it difficult to close. This is often the case in peri-menopause and menopause, explaining why older women suffer from incontinence more frequently than younger. Contrary to the paper you quote, oestrogen actually increases incontinence, as several studies have found, see here, here, here, here and here. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic, so good it's now given to brain trauma victims via IV transfusion, see here and here. As for libido, I wonder where they got their info from! The jury is still out as to whether testosterone increases libido, in fact for women supplemental testosterone is dangerous. It increases the risk for heart disease, visceral fat and cancer. In fact the menopausal ovary is an androgen producing organ, see here. Which explains the weight gain over the stomach, the 'middle age spread', that peri-menopausal and menopausal women get. I'm running out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Aug 18, 2011
 Cons of progesterone
by: Wray

Hi E It seems that progesterone is possibly the hormone involved in increasing libido, see here. Plus the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a huge role in stimulating sexual desire, see here, here, here, here, here and here. You'll notice in some of the papers that progesterone increases dopamine neuron number, and that allopregnanolone, a metabolite of progesterone, increases dopamine release. Progesterone does stabilise blood glucose to a certain extent by inhibiting glucose oxidation and reducing glycerol levels, see here. It's becoming more evident that testosterone causes Insulin Resistance. And the three oestrogens too, one paper says '..the effects of estriol, estradiol
and estrone on insulin action...resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose transport', see here. Another paper says '..the association between circulating oestrogen levels and impaired insulin action has long been appreciated...', see here. In fact a 1994 study found this the case, see here. The paper you quote above says progesterone is associated with gestational diabetes. It seems more likely that the culprit is excess oestriol, which also increases greatly during pregnancy. If progesterone were the culprit, surely every pregnant woman would come down with gestational diabetes? Levels can rise to over 400ng/ml during the third trimester. Take care Wray
Aug 21, 2011
 re: cons of progesterone.
by: Natasha (UK)

I'll just briefly add my support to Wray's full response.

My libiddo definitely increased after using this cream regularly & it cut back my cravings for sweet things & my blood sugar levels became back in balance. I was heading towards insulin resistance before using bioidentical progesterone cream.

I've used Natpro continuously for 5 months now & rate it highly.

Good luck with your quest, Natasha
Aug 22, 2011
 re: cons of progesterone.
by: Wray

Hi Natasha Bless you for your support. And I'm so delighted to hear from you again, and that things are looking up at last. Take care Wray
Aug 25, 2011
 PRE ECLAMPSIA caused by LOW IODINE
by: E

Seems like women low in Progesterone also have similar symptoms in iodine levels Wonder how you know which is which I am taking 300mg a day of your cream 7 weeks with rd baby and it hasn't really done all that much and my BP is high. I have heard Omega 3's can help BP (blood pressure) naturally with pregnancy to lower it but it still hasnt as I have taken them for 2 years. Was wondering what natural supplements you advise to lower Blood Pressure. Since I am doing the Progesterone cream already I have read a bunch of articles on Iodine deficiency causing PRE Eclampsia here's the link (since you like links:)and also that its Iodine deficiency that causes PRE -Eclampsa.. I take Iodine as well and still high BP so I guess I'm that one person on the Earth that neither of these do anything for.. Heres the links on the IODINE PROJECT they believe it has caused the Autism Epidemic also the ADD?ADHD one I have two autistic boys both I had PRE ECLAMPSIA with I have LOW IODINE I believe that is the cause not the Progesterone and pre eclampsia link .I do not see it working as a diuretic which water retention is a huge cause for the elevated BP. in the research for the IODINE PROJECT .... infertility ...
theiodineproject.webs.com/pregnancyandiodine.htm
the AUTISM link...
theiodineproject.webs.com/pregnancyandiodine.htm

It's my belief after reading your info and theirs I believe first Iodine because then that will heal all the reasons women are low in Progesterone because your Organs cannot function properly in the first place without it..So just doing the Progesterone alone is like masking the underlying cause of Iodine deficiency like putting a band aid on. 90% of Americans are low in it we have replaced Iodine in our foods with Bromine ie "Enriched Flour" a known element that leeches Iodine out of the body..America is falling apart and all these diseases i believe can be so easily helped ...well see how the rest of this pregnancy goes as this is my first time being on both therapies...
Aug 25, 2011
 NatPro
by: Anonymous

Is Natpro considered bioidentical progesterone? How come no gynecologists promote using this much progesterone? I can't find one gyn in my area that promotes this. It is strange to me. They say its only used in menopause or you'll mess up your hormones. I wish I had a medical practitioner overseeing me.
Aug 29, 2011
 NatPro
by: Wray

Hi there Yes Natpro is bio-identical, it's certainly not a progestin. There's more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. Some doctors do use high amounts, especially in fertility clinics where it's given after IVF. You might like to read the papers on our page on Pregnancy. It's been used successfully for over 60 years now, with no adverse reports being published. Dr Dalton was the first to recognize PMS in 1949, and gave it that name. She, together with Dr. Raymond Greene, diagnosed and treated their PMS patients successfully with progesterone, publishing the results of treatment of eighty-four women with PMS in the British Medical Journal in May 1953. The amounts she used were in the region of 800mg/day. And they were not in menopause. She's not only published papers in medical journals, but written a number of excellent books too, see here. Take care Wray
Aug 29, 2011
 PRE ECLAMPSIA caused by LOW IODINE
by: Wray

Hi E You are right, low iodine is now a problem again, they thought it was a thing of the past. Plus a lack of iodine, selenium too, increases the risk of breast cancer, see here and here. Progesterone can help high BP if water retention is the cause, did you not have time to read the papers I gave on TBI? But it's not iodine you need, but vitamin D. A lack of this causes an increase in BP, see here, here here and here. A lack of vitamin D also causes pre-eclampsia, see here, here and here. And finally a lack of vitamin D causes autism, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Dr Cannell is currently running a study on autistic children, he's cured a number with high doses of vitamin D. I'm running out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Aug 29, 2011
 PRE ECLAMPSIA caused by LOW IODINE
by: Wray

Hi E Modern diseases are on the increase, and it appears from the research coming out now, that a lack of vitamin D is behind them all. I don't have the space to go into it here, but please see the following sites for more info, and please have a test done, see Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital websites. Vitamin D is not only essential for ovulation and a successful pregnancy, but vital for the growing child, see here, here, here, here and here. These are excellent videos to watch too, see here and here. There's a body of evidence which points to the foetal origin of adult diseases being caused by a lack of vitamin D while in utero. I do hope all the info I sent in my previous reply helped you, as you make no mention of it. Take care Wray
Aug 31, 2011
 Vitamin D, Pre- Eclampsia and Tubes Tied Progesterone Dosage
by: E

I Have Plenty of Vitamin D I live in the Sunshine State being in the sun here is the equivalent to 16 glasses of Milk every hour .. I don't have rickets which is pain caused by lack of Vitamin D. So I would have to rule that out but thanks for letting me know anyways. I did some more research and found that Potassium could be the culprit according to DR. Brewster and The Pre -Eclampsia diet He said its Mal Nourishment of Potassium so Who knows?. Your other info was stuff I already knew but I have to disagree about progesterone not relaxing muscles/incontinance etc.. because it does.It relaxes the uterus from contracting and having the Baby and along with the uterus relaxed other muscles in your body get relaxed along too like your bladder and esophegoues which is why many women have indegestion during pregnacy it realxes that muscle too. so that is my only rebuttle to your rebuttle:) thankyou for your reply you have quite a lot of Q "s to answer here ..I'll come back and let eveyone know how this 3rd and final pregnancy goes with me taking the progesterone ...Thanks for your help. I plan on getting a tubal this time and will do research on when and how much progesterone to take if you have had your tubes tied also during breast feeding how that all works with taking the Natpro..Thanks.
Nov 14, 2011
 Iodine for fertility.
by: Pro

If you have or are having difficulty becoming pregnant, chances are pretty good that iodine deficiency is your culprit. Your whole body needs iodine and the highest concentrations can be found in your uterus and ovaries among others. Hypothyroidism A.K.A. Iodine deficiency can cause menstrual irregularities, decreased sex drive, miscarriage, failure to ovulate, premature childbirth and pre-eclampsia. Some women experience an autoimmune version of hypothyroidism in which their bodies are producing killer cells which attacks their own tissues (including their own thyroid or an embryo). If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism and have experienced a miscarriage then you definitely need to begin supplementing with the list of vitamins provided on the I'm deficient, Now what? page.Though Iodine is the number one supplement it works synergistically with other vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The consequences of not resolving your deficiencies is the likeliness that you will not be able to maintain a pregnancy without treatment.

Deficiency of iodine seems to cause more damage in developing embryos and in fact, in pregnant women iodine deficiency causes abortions and stillborns. It is not cretinism alone that holds risks from deficiency, but the very survival of the infant itself. Adequate iodine may also provide protection from infection and vaccine damage. In a study done on 617 infants between the ages of 6 weeks and six months, in an iodine deficient area, it was shown that with the addition of 100 mg of iodine oil to the diet of newborns, that the death rate of infants was markedly lower than for those without any supplementation.

DISTURBED MENSTRAL FLOW:

Another common symptom of hypothyroidism is dysfunction of the female cycle. In children, the onset of menses may be delayed or, paradoxically, it may come years early with hypothyroidism. At the other end, menopause may happen much too early or much too late. During childbearing years the menstrual cycle may be upset in just about any pattern imaginable. The most common condition is that of irregular bleeding. The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, just like other tissues in the body, requires thyroid hormone for proper growth and function.
Nov 14, 2011
 Iodine and Fertility part 2
by: Pro

PREGNANCY:

Iodine during pregnancy is so much more important than anything else. Severe iodine deficiency in a mother's diet during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. If the baby survives to term, it is likely to suffer irreversible mental retardation. This is known as cretinism and is a major cause of preventable intellectual impairment in low iodine areas. Mildly iodine-deficient children have learning disabilities and poor motivation. The developing fetus, newborn and young children are most susceptible to the effects of an iodine- deficient diet, and treatment before conception or in early pregnancy is essential to prevent irreversible damage. Breast milk contains more iodine than formula milk and premature babies who are formula-fed may be at risk of deficiency. Take a look here to see the scary side of iodine deficiency during pregnancy.

In newborns, iodine deficiency causes cretinism (neonatal hypothyroidism), which is characterized by jaundice, poor appetite, constipation, a hoarse cry, outpouching of the navel (umbilical hernia), and slowed bone growth. If not diagnosed and treated within a few months of birth, iodine deficiency results in mental retardation. Iodine deficiency that begins in childhood (juvenile hypothyroidism) slows growth, sometimes resulting in disproportionately short limbs as well as delayed development of teeth.
FOR FULL ARTICLE GO TO "IODINE PROJECT.COM"
theiodineproject.webs.com/pregnancyandiodine.htm
Nov 17, 2011
 Vitamin D, Pre- Eclampsia and Tubes Tied Progesterone Dosage
by: Wray

Hi E I beg to differ about living in a sunny climate and getting enough vitamin D. We spend about 90% of our time indoors now, in our homes and offices. Even in Hawaii where there's plenty of sun, they found 50% of the study participants had a deficiency, see here. Hawaii has a latitude of 21 degrees north of the equator, whereas Florida ranges from 24-31 degrees. And it now appears that bone health is a minor role that vitamin D has, of far more importance is it's ability to prevent all the modern diseases we now have, from heart disease, cancer, depression, diabetes etc. Plus pre-eclampsia and autism. i still feel you should have a test done. I didn't say progesterone didn't relax muscles in the uterus, we were talking about the bladder. Besides it wasn't my research which found oestrogen, and not progesterone was the culprit. Maybe you didn't have time to read all the papers I gave you? Please read this page on Tubal ligation before you have it. Take care Wray
Nov 17, 2011
 Iodine for fertility.
by: Wray

Hi Pro Many thanks for the excellent input! Iodine deficiency was a thing of the past, unfortunately it's now back, see here. Plus a lack can lead to cancer later in life, see here. Many women suffer from sore breasts too, this can be caused by a lack of progesterone, but often it's a lack of iodine, see here, here, here and here. Take care Wray

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