It is no surprise that many menopausal women are emotional and distressed. During this transitional period, they have to endure various uncomfortable symptoms which include: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and loss of libido.
Many women looking to relieve their menopausal symptoms reach for progesterone cream, but just how does it work, and are there any health risks involved? Read on to have your questions answered.
How Does it Work?
The cream is made from extracts of wild yam and soy plants. Once this substance has been chemically synthesized in the lab, its chemical makeup is identical to that of the natural progesterone.Once on the body, this cream is absorbed through the skin. Only then can the progesterone levels begin to rebalance. If progesterone levels in the body are rebalanced, the symptoms of menopause may decrease. The body normally produces 20-25 mg of progesterone in a normal cycle. Using progesterone cream will make up for the insufficient amount of progesterone production and can balance hormone levels.
Where Should I Put the Cream?
Progesterone cream is very fat-soluble, so it will be easily absorbed. The progesterone that is applied then needs to be absorbed into the blood stream. Therefore, it should be applied in places on the body where the blood is close to the surface. The face, chest, breasts, inner arms and palms of your hands are optimum application sites.
How Much Should I Use?
For women going through menopause, it is generally recommended to use 15-24mg a day and apply it in two sessions. Begin this routine on day eight of your menstrual cycle until the next cycle starts (usually about 14 days). It is a good idea to get your doctor's advice about progesterone cream use, to ensure that this is an appropriate form of treatment for your body.
If you are postmenopausal, you should generally use about 15mg a day for 25 days of the calendar month. It is important that you don't apply too much at one time because it will counteract against the imbalance and won't be as effective.
What Are the Benefits?
Progesterone cream can bring relief from menopausal symptoms and premenstrual (PMS), although experts suggest that lifestyle changes should be adopted too, in order to reap the full benefits. Although the cream hasn't been subject to long-term studies, it is thought to defend against breast and endometrial cancer, increase libido, increase bone health, and fight against depression.
Are There Side Effects?
As with any treatment, potential side effects exist. The cream is known for having sedative-like effects. Additionally, because progesterone cream is so fat-soluble and absorbable, it gets stored in the women's fat tissue. This means that too much of it can have a negative effect on adrenal glands because as it accumulates in the fat tissue and disrupts their normal function. This also means production of other hormones such as testosterone and cortisol can be affected. Once the production of progesterone in the adrenal glands is rebalanced, women should be cautious about how frequently they use the cream.
Recommendation
Always talk to your doctor before you decide to use progesterone cream because your health history should be checked beforehand. Although the progesterone cream is a natural hormone, which is a better alternative to synthetic hormone, it must be used cautiously and in the correct manner. Overuse can cause further problems. For more information about progesterone imbalance follow this link.
