Natural Alternatives for Progesterone

Natural alternatives to progesterone are being used by an increasing number of women to relieve symptoms of menopause. For years, doctors have routinely prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate hot flashes, insomnia and other premenopausal/menopausal conditions. However, many women are more comfortable using bioidentical hormones and/or natural progesterone alternatives, such as wild yam cream.

Function

• Progesterone is a hormone manufactured in a woman's ovaries. As menopause approaches, progesterone diminishes. A lower supply of progesterone contributes to menopausal symptoms which plague many women.

Bioidentical

• Bioidentical progesterone is a lab-made twin of progesterone produced in the ovaries; however, it is not a patented product like synthetic progesterone. Unlike synthetic progesterone, many forms of bioidentical progesterone can be purchased without a prescription.

Herbs

• Herbs like wild yam, black cohosh, chasteberry and dong quai also alleviate menopause symptoms for many women. All of these natural alternatives for progesterone are available over the counter (OTC). Including low-fat milk, soy and leafy green vegetables in the diet may reinforce the benefits of these herbs.

Warning

• A regimen of natural alternatives to progesterone should be followed only under a doctor's supervision, particularly if menopause was the result of a hysterectomy. Severe menopausal symptoms may require traditional HRT.

Famous Ties

• Oprah Winfrey and Suzanne Somers both use bioidentical hormones. Somers' book "The Sexy Years" chronicles her investigations into sexual health for older women, including natural alternatives to progesterone.