Progesterone Natural Vs. Prescription

As women age and get past childbearing age, their hormone levels dip. You may find that your hormones have become imbalanced. Traditional prescription hormones have come under fire recently, so many women are looking at all available options.

Estrogen Dominance

• Previously, most menopausal symptoms were thought to be entirely due to lower estrogen levels. Now it is known that even if estrogen levels are low, progesterone levels may be even lower and need to be brought into balance.

Availability

• Natural, or bioidentical, progesterone is available over the counter or specifically compounded for you by your pharmacist. Traditional synthetic progesterone, called progestin, is only available by prescription.

Delivery Method

• Bioidentical progesterone is applied transdermally via a topical cream. Progestin is an oral medication.

Effects

• Progesterone cream is metabolized by your body to help balance hormones and relieve symptoms like heavy periods, thinning hair and fat accumulation. Progestin also helps relieve menopause symptoms and is often prescribed along with animal-derived estrogen.

Considerations

• Bioidentical hormones are plant derived and have no known negative side effects. Synthetic progestin has the following possible side effects: migraine, fluid retention, lower progesterone, breast tenderness and depression. According to an article published in "The Lancet" in 2003, its use has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women.