The human body functions best when it is balanced in every area. When one area is out of balance the entire body is effected. Traditional medicine as a whole has not recognized this powerful truth. At menopause, estrogen decreases by 40 to 60 percent. However, progsterone decreases are about 12 tiimes greater nearly to zero, creating a hormone imbalance.

Estrogen and progesterone are closely interrelated in many ways. In normally functioning premenopausal women, estrogens are made from progesterone and/or from androgens within the cells of the overies. After menopause, estrogens are converted from adrenal produced androgens, primarily in the body fat. (This is a major reason for women to maintain normal body weight.) A key to hormone balance is knowing when estrogen becomes the dominant hormone and progesterone is deficient. There are very few western women that are deficient in estrogen. Most are deficient in progesterone.

The problem is not high levels of estrogen, but estrogen that is unopposed (balanced) by progestrone. It is worthwhile to compare unopposed estrogen to the progesterone balancing effect to see the importance of progesterone. Estrogen causes breast stimulation - progesterone protects against fibrocystic breasts; estrogen increases body fat - progesterone helps use fat for energy; estrogen causes salt and fluid retention - progesterone is a natural diuretic; estrogen increrases blood clotting - progesterone normalizes blood clotting; estrogen decreases sex drive - progesterone restores sex drive; estrogen reduces oxygen levels in all cells - progesterone restores proper cell oxygen levels; estrogen slightly restrains osteoclast function - progesterone stimulates osteoblast bone building; estrogen increases risk of autoimmune disorders - progesterone is a precursor of corticosteriods; estrogen increases risks of breast cancer - progesterone helps prevents breast cancer and estrogen increases risk of endometrial cancer - progesterone prevents endometrial cancer. These are just a few examples of why it is important to maintain hormone balance between estrogen and progesterone. If a woman is already estrogen dominant and the doctor prescribes estrogen and does nothing to increase progesterone, the imbalance becomes greater as well as the risks associated with estrogen dominance.

Othr common traits at menopause are increased facial hair and hair loss, usually caused by unopposed estrogen. It is not uncommon for premenopausal women to have low progesterone levels as well, allowing unopposed estrogen to cause some of the same side effects that occur in menopausal women. Signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance in premenopausal women are: Water retention, edema (swelling, bloating), fatigue, lack of energy, breast swelling, fibrocystic breast, premenstrual mood swings, depression, loss of sex drive, heavy or irregular menses, uterine fibroids, carving for sweets, weight gain, fat deposition at hips and thighs, and symptoms of low thyroid such as cold hands and feet. Supplementing with progesterones creams can help these problems.

Our bodies are remarkably resilient and capable of maintaining balance in all areas if the proper tools are provided. Hormone balance is no different. Diet and lifestyle is the key.

These simple tips will go a long way in balancing hormones in the body.

1. Do not smoke.

 2. Eliminate alcohol consumption.

3. Eat whole, fresh organic foods and avoid refined and processed foods, additives, perservatives and colorings.

4. Drink plenty of clean water and avoid sodas.

5. Keep fat consumption to 20 % of calorie intake.

6. Use olive oil and avoid hydrogenated oils.

7. Eat meat in small portions. Eat more fish.

8. Eat modest servings of eggs, yogurt, and deep-sea cold water fish several times a week.

9. Take a complete natural multivitamin with antioxidants daily. (Not a one-a-day.)

10. Exercise on a regular basis - including weight training three times a week.

11. Maintain a healthy digestive system and colon with digestive enzymes and acidophilus if necessary.

12. Use progesterone cream if necessary.

13. Stay away from HRT.

14. A calcium/magnesium supplement is needed in addition to a multi-vitamin.

A word about birth control pills. Because of the hormonal changes inflicted by oral contraception, women are in greater need of B vitamins, particularly B6 and folic acid. Folic acid is especially important because it works to break down homocysteine, a compound that may lead to an increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. Women should also be advised to take magnesium, zinc and vitamins C, E, and K to supplement deficiencies caused by the pill. Reference HSR Volume 7 Number 8)Our bodies are remarkably resilient and capable of maintaining balance in all areas if the proper tools are provided. Hormone balance is no different. Diet and lifestyle is the key.

A word about birth control pills. Because of the hormonal changes inflicted by oral contraception, women are in greater need of B vitamins, particularly B6 and folic acid. Folic acid is especially important because it works to break down homocysteine, a compound that may lead to an increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. Women should also be advised to take magnesium, zinc and vitamins C, E, and K to supplement deficiencies caused by the pill. Reference HSR Volume 7 Number 8)

PMS is also associated with estrogen dominance. Progesterone has been wrongly accused of causing PMS because it is at its highest just before menstruation. The truth is, however, that women with PMS tend to have low levels of progesterone at the time of their cycle, when progesterone is suppose to be dominant over estrogen. A good diet and exercise can help, but the real problem is hormone imbalance. Supplementation with progesterone creams has helped many women with PMS symptoms during this time of their cycle. As a note, just because PMS symptoms are present does not automatically mean that progesterone levels are low. Other conditions such as hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue mimic PMS symptoms. If all the right natural things are being done for PMS and it still exists, pursuit of these other avenues may help alleviate the problems.

Natural progesterone cream is a support supplement which contains the plant extract of wild yam, which allows the active ingredients to be optimally used by the body because they flow through the skin and directly into the bloodstream. Creams can be used by women of all ages.

Progesterone creams range in price and size. A two ounce tube will be from $19.95 to $26.95, Four ounce tubes start at about $34.95. The creams are by far more absorbable. When the progesterone is absorbed by the skin it is stored in the fat cells just below the skins surface until it enters the blood stream.

By:  Fred and Ann Fishburne,  ProHealth Nutrition, Inc.