Progesterone
Nature has given progesterone to men and women alike to balance and offset the powerful effects of estrogen. Some of the most common concerns of aging women are weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, migraine and thinning hair. For other women, even more debilitating conditions such as cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and osteoporosis now play a predominant role in their lives. As men age, complaints of weight gain, reduced libido, hair loss and prostate enlargement top their list of health concerns. Many endocrinologists and scientists are becoming more aware of a common link between these symptoms and conditions. That common link is often an imbalance between two sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen.
Progesterone has a multitude of effects throughout the body, many of which may be attributable to its ability to oppose the action of estrogen. Multiple physical and psychological problems for both women and men at midlife are often caused by an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen. The term “estrogen dominance” describes the condition of lacking sufficient progesterone to counteract the effects of estrogen. Although estrogen dominance often results from extremely high levels of estrogen, this condition also may be caused by normal levels of estrogen and relatively low levels of progesterone,
Estrogen levels may be elevated by a number of external influences. Xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens) are among a group of chemicals known to alter hormone levels. Environmental pesticides, including those found on commercially grown fruits and vegetables, are perhaps the primary source of xenoestrogens. Cosmetics, shampoo, and plastics also may contribute to the accumulation of these foreign estrogens.
SYMPTOMS OF ESTROGEN DOMINANCE IN MEN AND WOMEN
§ Anxiety
§ Irritability
§ Hypersensitivity
§ Nervousness
§ Restless sleep
§ Headaches/migraines
§ Abdominal fat accumulation
§ Thinning hair
§ Breast enlargement/tenderness
§ Decreased libido
§ Heavy periods
Progesterone and Men
Typically thought of as a female hormone, it appears probable that progesterone can be a tool in hormone modulation and hair loss treatment in men. Progesterone is manufactured in men by the adrenal glands and testes. Just as estrogen dominance can severely affect the quality of life and raise the cancer risk for women, excess estrogen can be equally detrimental to men. Elevated systemic estrogen in men has been associated with gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men), decreased sexual function, weight gain, Androgenetic alopecia and prostate enlargement.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia and Male Pattern Hair Loss seems to be related to the elevated serum levels of and sustained exposure of the prostate gland to the strong androgen dihydrotestosterone and possibly to estrogens. In fact, the late Dr. John R. Lee, considered a pioneer in natural progesterone therapy, believed that excessive exposure to estrogen was a primary cause of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. In addition to counterbalancing the negative aspects of estrogen, progesterone also inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
Conclusion
Transdermal Progesterone replacement,due to its multiple mechanisms, may be one of the most health promoting hormone modulating treatments to date, particularly for men over 35. Unlike finasteride, (Propecia), and Avodart, which while reducing DHT, can aggravate estrogen dominance, Progesterone can counter DHT while increasing libido and reducing bodyfat, which are well documented problematic side effects with Propecia and Avodart The fact that transdermal Progesterone replacement addresses both Estrogen Dominance and DHT likely makes it a useful adjunct for anyone with MPB, especially middle aged males. Transdermal Progesterone Replacement has NO feminizing effects in men whatsoever, and would be better described as de-feminizing. One could theoretically use Progesterone cream in conjunction with Propecia/Avodart to further reduce DHT and potentially reduce side effects, however there are no published data by which to evaluate this interaction.
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