Progesterone plays an amazing role as a hormone balancer. However, did you know that the benefits of progesterone are not limited to female-specific health concerns?  Let’s look at just a few of the other remarkable ways that progesterone has shown to support ideal health of both genders:

• Progesterone supports thyroid function. A healthy thyroid helps things like energy, mood, hair and weight, all be at their best.
• Progesterone increases the metabolism, which is responsible for how we convert food to energy and thus aids to managing a healthy weight and energy levels.
• Progesterone supports the balance of blood sugar levels
• Progesterone supports normal blood clotting, therefore, it is helpful to more than just reducing cramping during PMS, but also supports clotting in the veins of both genders
• Progesterone stimulates Osteoblast cell activity, the cells responsible for new bone tissue
• Progesterone helps with skin elasticity
• Progesterone supports healthy sleep patterns
• Progesterone supports gums to stay healthy and strong
• Progesterone is a natural diuretic
• Progesterone is known as the “happy hormone” it has also been shown to support decreased depression and anxiety.
• Progesterone inhibits a chemical in the brain* that is responsible for breaking down serotonin while enhancing the serotonin receptors. Serotonin is the feel-good brain chemical.

*About your brain:

Published studies demonstrate that progesterone supports the normal development of neurons in the brain and that the hormone has a protective effect on damaged brain tissue.

No doubt, we can see how progesterone is essential to a healthy balanced life.  Be sure to check out Our Serenity Lifestyle here.

Gynecologists have estimated that between 85-90% of women suffer from at least one or more PMS symptoms a month (usually more). Some of theses symptoms are so severe that they are known as PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and can take over a woman’s life. (PCOS & Endometriosis too)

To properly understand why PMS and PMDD occur and how progesterone can safely and effectively help, we must first understand how the monthly cycle works.

Every month there are two dominant hormones that control a women’s monthly reproduction cycle, estrogen and progesterone.

The start of a woman’s period marks day one of her monthly cycle.  This is when estrogen levels rise and are dominant until about day 14.  (this is the estrogen phase of the month).  Right around around day 14 the ovaries release an egg to be fertilized. this is known as ovulation. At this time, progesterone is released by the ovaries.  This now starts the shift into the progesterone phase of the month.

During this progesterone phase, progesterone should now be the dominant hormone (days 14-28 of your menstrual month).  If the egg does not become fertilized during this time, progesterone levels drop sharply. This signaling the body to shed the lining of the uterus and the unfertilized egg (menstruation).  This now signals a rise in estrogen levels

One very common reason women experience PMS and the even more extreme PMDD leading up to and at the start of their period, is due to estrogen being dominant during the progesterone phase of the month (days 14-28) ovulation to menstruation.

In the “ideal” environment where nothing affects our hormone balance, a woman should naturally produce 22-25 mg of progesterone per day in the second half of her monthly cycle (days 14-28).

To learn why you may be suffering from a hormone imbalance please visit our page:

Why Would I Have a Hormone Imbalance?

For support with PMS/PMDD symptoms:

Use 1/8^th teaspoon mornings and at bedtime days 14-28. The first day or your period marks day 1, two weeks from that is day 14 which is when ovulation begins, this is the day you start applying Serenity. When the egg is not fertilized within these two progesterone dominate weeks, this triggers menstruation to begin on or around day 28.

If symptoms are severe you may initially use a quarter teaspoon mornings and evenings. If your cycle is not a normal 28 day cycle, then use the Serenity on day 14 for two consecutive weeks then stop and wait for your period to begin. Once your period begins mark that as day 1 again and repeat the process until your cycle normalizes to approximately 28 days apart.

If at any time you start your period during the two weeks you are using Serenity, stop using the cream immediately, count that day as day 1, and start using the cream again on day 14. Serenity will not bring on a period if your body does not naturally require it.

Regulating your monthly cycle can take up to 3 months but will optimize your hormone balance and aid in reduced symptoms of PMS/PMDD.

Where to apply it?

Progesterone is very well absorbed through the skin when it is in a properly formulated cream, such as Serenity Bio-Identical Progesterone Cream, and unlike orally taken progesterone it is not intercepted by the liver.

Serenity should be applied to the supple skin areas of the body where it is easily delivered to the blood stream for use:

• Face
• Neck
• palms
• Vaginal tissue
• Feet

Apply your cream to different areas of “freshly bathed” skin each time.

Most women feel a difference within a few minutes of initial application, however, those who are exceptionally deficient in progesterone and struggling with too much estrogen, may require 3 months to achieve an optimum balance.

In an environment where nothing was negatively affecting our hormone balance, a woman should naturally produce 22-25 mg of progesterone per day in the second half of her monthly cycle (days 14-28). An eighth teaspoon of Serenity contains 15 mg of bio identical progesterone, so one application in the morning and one in the evening will constitute approximately 30 mg per day.

Allowing for stress and environmental toxins, you can expect to achieve not less than 22-25 mg per day, the amount that should be produced naturally. For severe symptoms a quarter teaspoon twice per day may be applied. The amount of cream you use will be ultimately determined by how you are feeling and how you are responding. Each jar and tube contains more than 90 eighth-teaspoon applications.

On the subject of “Pregnancy & Hormones”, Encyclopedia Britannica states:

“Progesterone prepares the wall of the uterus so that the lining is able to accept a fertilized egg and so that the egg can be implanted and develop.  It also inhibits muscular contractions of the uterus that would probably cause the wall to reject the adhering egg.

When a fertilized egg becomes implanted in the uterus it will form a placenta.  The placenta then produces progesterone during the life of a normal pregnancy.  If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone is secreted by the ovaries (approximately two weeks) until a few days before menstruation, at which time the level of progesterone drops sufficiently to stop the growth of the uterine wall and to cause it to start to break down, and menstruation ensues.”

From the start of conception the ovaries primarily produce and increase the levels of progesterone. Around week 12 the placenta will start to produce its own progesterone until the day of birth when progesterone levels drop to zero at the same time of estrogen levels rising, which is what triggers labor. Many times when a woman does not have sufficient amounts of progesterone during the first tri-mester of pregnancy, her body will tell her to labor, commonly causing miscarriage or in later tri-mesters premature birth. In addition to insufficient progesterone and high amounts of estrogen, poor maternal health, hygiene, and nutrition can increase the likelihood of miscarriage and premature birth.

Bio-identical progesterone is a safe option for women who aren’t making enough of their own natural progesterone or who have high levels of estrogens due to environmental factors. Follow directions for use to not only increase fertility but to support early pregnancy and optimize your odds of having a healthy, full term pregnancy.

To see the reason behind why you might be suffering from low progesterone levels and be having a difficult time achieving a successful pregnancy please visit our page, Why Would I Have a Hormone Imbalance, here.

When a woman has a normal pregnancy, progesterone levels will increase uniformly from about 25-28 mg/day at conception to 350-400 mg/day at the end of a successful full-term pregnancy (40 weeks).

A drop in progesterone levels at any time during the pregnancy, especially during the first 11-12 weeks, will almost always result in miscarriage.

Serenity Organics Progesterone Cream can be safely applied at the rate of 1/8th tsp twice daily at conception, increasing uniformly to 1/2 tsp twice daily at the end of week 18-19.  At this time, the placenta should assume progesterone production until week 40.  When it is time for the baby to be born progesterone levels will drop from about 400 mg/day to 0 mg/day, triggering the birth of the baby.

Note:

if you discontinue use at the end of week 18 or 19 and experience depression or just feel “out of sorts” this would indicate that the placenta has not assumed its role of sufficient progesterone production.  Because Serenity Creams are all plant-based and only contain American-made progesterone, you may resume the use of your cream until you discern that the placenta is now producing sufficient progesterone.

For Postpartum Depression, use the cream 14 days on 14 days off until period begins then follow the instructions for a normal monthly cycle again. Avoid environmental estrogens.

What If I No Longer Have A Monthly Cycle?

Many women, who no longer have a monthly cycle, whether due to menopause or to a hysterectomy, may also have very low amounts of progesterone versus estrogen levels. Since the ovaries at ovulation are the primary source of progesterone many menopausal women will commonly experience a drop to nearly zero in progesterone production.  At the same time women are receiving synthetic estrogens through their diet and personal care products, or even prescription HRT.

Stress is also a large contributing factor as it produces cortisol, which is a steroid hormone that can attach itself to hormone receptor sights adding to the hormonal imbalance known as estrogen dominance. Menopause is often treated as an estrogen deficiency instead of the progesterone deficiency that it actually is.

Here are some of the supportive benefits woman, in this phase of life, can receive from supplementing with bio-identical progesterone:

• Reduction of night sweats
• Improved sleep
• Increased libido/vaginal moisture
• Balanced thyroid
• Healthy weight
• Balanced Estrogen levels
• Improved bone density
• Mood enhancement

And even overall happiness, thats right, because of benefits progesterone has in the brain, its nickname is ‘the happy hormone’!

To see the reason behind why you might be suffering from low progesterone levels and estrogen dominance please visit our page, Why Would I Have a Hormone Imbalance, here.

Menopause / HRT / Hysterectomy

1/8th teaspoon twice daily, mornings and bedtime 25-26 consecutive days. Discontinue for 5-6 days (important!). If symptoms are severe you may increase to a 1/4 teaspoon twice a day for the first month; decrease as symptoms ameliorate.  Using Serenity Organics will not restart your menstrual cycle, as menopause is marked by the release of your last egg.

Osteoporosis:

Studies on progesterone have shown that it will stimulate osteoblast production.  Osteoblast cells are responsible for new bone tissue growth. Bone loss in women, on average, begins at age 37, however, it is not traditionally diagnosed until menopause.  Use an eighth teaspoon mornings and an eighth teaspoon at bedtime for 25-26 consecutive days of the month.  Observe 5-6 days time-out (important!).

Where do I Apply It?

Progesterone is very well absorbed through the skin when it is in a properly formulated cream, e.g., Serenity Bio-Identical Progesterone Cream, and unlike orally taken progesterone, it is not intercepted by the liver.

Serenity should be applied to the supple skin areas of the body where it is easily delivered to the blood stream for use:

• Face
• Neck
• Palms / Inner Wrists
• Vaginal tissue
• Feet

Apply your cream to different areas of “freshly bathed” skin each time.

1/8th teaspoon twice daily, mornings and bedtime 25-26 consecutive days. Discontinue for 5-6 days (important!). If symptoms are severe you may increase to a 1/4 teaspoon twice a day for the first month; decrease as symptoms ameliorate.

Most women feel a difference within a few minutes of initial application, however, those who are exceptionally deficient in progesterone and struggling with too much estrogen, may require up to 3 months to achieve optimum balance.

Each jar and tube contains approximately 96 eighth-teaspoon applications.

And, don’t forget, it is also vitally important to identify and avoid environmental estrogens.