Bio Identical Progesterone - Why it is Better Than Synthetic Progesterone?

Progesterone has a profound influence on a woman over her lifespan. It is a steroid hormone made in the ovary's corpus luteum and to a lesser degree in the adrenal gland. The key to minimizing the effects of PMS as far as hormones go is balance, especially as a woman ages. As a woman begins perimenopause estrogen and progesterone production both typically fall paving the way for full blown menopause. This is often where progesterone production falls drastically while estrogen production just slows. Estrogen dominance is the term used to describe the conditions that follow like fatigue, mood swings, increased risk of heart disease, bloating, a risk of osteoporosis and weight gain.

Most doctors prescribe a supplement (to balance the estrogen) for the mitigation of the effects of PMS and this therapy is called menopausal hormonal replacement therapy or HRT. Bio identical progesterone is what is commonly recommended. Although created in a lab, it is identical to the type produced in our bodies molecule to molecule and therefore has no side effects. Synthetic progesterone on the other hand is not chemically identical to the body's own formula and may cause severe side effects including risk of cancer and stroke, abnormal menstrual flow, asthma, partial vision loss, migraines, fluid retention, liver disorders and depression.

These synthetic versions are called progestins and have known side effects as mentioned above. Commonly prescribed progestins include Provera which is known to be unsafe and will cause birth defects in a fetus in even small amounts. So women who need to be on hormonal replacement therapy in the first trimester before the placenta takes over are always recommended to take a prescription like Prometrium. Why? Because it is a safe bio identical formulation. The placenta, once fully formed in the second trimester easily produces upwards of 300 mg of progesterone and just 10% of this in the synthetic progestin form would trigger a birth defect. So even if a woman is not using progesterone for pregnancy and is using it simply to get through her PMS symptoms, it would make sense to be safe and always go for the bio identical formula.

There are many ways of getting the required amount of progesterone into the body if a woman is on hormonal replacement therapy. As discussed, Prometrium is the prescription pill form and is usually taken orally although it can be absorbed by the body overnight by inserting it into the vagina at bedtime. The latter method is often used to supplement the injection method which is a common way of administering it to pregnant women before the placental supply kicks in. The injection delivers it directly into the muscle and from there it goes into the blood via the capillaries. The other method is to use a progesterone cream that can be applied topically. Whichever way is convenient, it is always best to consult with your doctor about the various methods and also to make sure that you are only using the bio identical formulations.

Ms. Montague has been a fan of hormones ever since she had to use hormonal therapy for her late in life pregnancy. From progesterone shots to prescription pills she's tried it all. You can find out more about progesterone cream in general and the benefits of natural progesterone cream over other types.