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Menopause
Natural Progesterone
Product Claims
Support for Claims
Claims Refuted
Recommendation
References
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CONCLUSION
Dr.
Lee
argues that while estrogen replacement retards bone loss it does not
prevent or reverse it. He believes that progesterone is responsible for
stimulating new bone formation. In a study he conducted on the use of
natural progesterone to treat osteoporosis in 63 post-menopausal women,
Dr. Lee concluded that natural progesterone "effectively
reverses postmenopausal osteoporosis."
| "It does not
require a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment to conclude that progesterone, used in this
fashion, is of great benefit in treating osteoporosis." - Dr.
Lee |
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| Subjects
not only took natural progesterone but also daily
supplements of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, beta-carotene and calcium. Certain
participants were also given estrogen. Other study parameters included
limitation of alcohol, soft drinks and cigarettes. Twenty minutes of daily exercise in addition to low protein
diet were also recommended.
His work is seriously blemished
given the numerous
coexisting variables which make evaluating the individual effect of natural
progesterone ridiculous. |
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The vast majority
of his references were studies using oxyprogesterone acetate or C-19
nortestosterone derivatives, the same progestins found in oral
contraceptives, notes the well respected San Francisco gynecologist Maida
Taylor, MD. |
The reported
increases in bone mass density can not be pinpointed to natural progesterone
use alone.
Ironically, the use of estrogen by some of the women makes Dr
Lee’s claims concerning natural progesterone benefits over estrogen
replacement questionable.
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| Proponents
of natural progesterone seem to cite primary sources selectively or
incorrectly by massaging data. Their websites and books list
seemingly complicated metabolic pathways sandwiched between an abundance
on anecdotal reports.
These people
provide the general public
and patients with lengthy bibliographic references, but after close
examination and follow-up, most of their cited sources in favor of natural
progesterone often do not even discuss natural hormones.
Maida Taylor MD, remarks that papers
making claims about
progesterone most often use references to studies that utilized MPA
as the progestin.
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Room
for Improvement:
| Application
of a alcohol-based gel may enhance absorption of topically applied
progesterone. Many creams incorporate lipid substituents for a base, which
may not be transported efficiently across the dermis or reach capillary
circulation.
These lipid
substituents may accumulate in the fatty layer of the dermis and provide
a depot of progesterone, which is then slowly released over time.
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THE
VERDICT:
If patients
are undeterred by the absence of supporting evidence, and still desire
natural progesterone, then it is recommended that a gel based
formulation be prescribed. |
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Warning:
Tissue
binding of
progesterone takes place in the breast through apolipoprotein D,
which is found in high concentrations in breast cyst fluid.
A strong warning should be given to patients with cystic
breast disease requesting natural progesterone about the
possibility of carcinogenesis.
Given the miniscule absorption of natural progesterone,
this seems a remote possibility, but it warrants consideration.
| Emphasis should be placed on relief
of hot flashes, for which there is evidence, and not other non-supported
claims. |
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