Progesterone is a naturally-occurring hormone in the body. It can also be developed in a lab. “Progestin” is a broad term used for a substance that causes some or all of the biologic effects of progesterone.
“Natural progesterone,” including prescription drugs Prometrium and Crinone, are produced from a chemical known as diosgenin that is isolated from soy or wild yam.
In the lab, this component is converted into pregnenolone and subsequently to progesterone. The human body is unable to generate progesterone from diosgenin. Therefore, eating soy or yam will not increase a person’s progesterone levels.
American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) is an advanced integrative pharmacy offering safe and innovative compounding solutions to patients in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance, South Bay, Orange County, and various Southern California locations. Stemming from this, it provides services such as online prescription refills for delivery across the United States.
Compounded Treatments
Topical progesterone products (medications applied to the skin) marketed as cosmetics do not require FDA approval before marketing. There is presently no limit on the quantity of progesterone allowed in cosmetic products. The FDA proposed a rule in 1993, limiting progesterone-containing cosmetic products to a maximum level of 5 mg/oz with the product label directing users not to exceed 2 oz monthly. However, this rule was never instated.
Women typically take progesterone for restarting menstrual periods that have stopped unexpectedly, treat abnormal uterine bleeding related to hormonal imbalance, and address severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. In addition, progesterone is used along with hormone estrogen to “oppose estrogen” as an element of hormone replacement therapy. Administering estrogen without progesterone increases the risk of uterine cancer.
At times, progesterone cream is used in hormone replacement therapy and for addressing menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.
At times, progesterone gel is used inside the vagina to treat breast pain in women suffering from noncancerous breast disease, prevent and address abnormal thickening of the uterus lining (endometrial hyperplasia), and prevent premature labor.
Sometimes, progesterone is given intravaginally or by injection for the treatment of infertility and PMS symptoms. Progesterone is used for various other conditions that are not listed above. But there is limited scientific research to support these other applications.
How does it Work?
Progesterone refers to a hormone released by the ovaries. Changes in progesterone levels can be a contributory factor to abnormal menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms.
Moreover, progesterone is also required for the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus and for maintaining pregnancy. Laboratory-made progesterone is used to mimic the function of progesterone released by the ovaries.
Effectiveness
Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
For the treatment of the absence of a menstrual period in premenopausal women, taking progesterone by mouth and applying progesterone gel into the vagina are effective strategies. The FDA has approved micronized progesterone for this use as well as intravaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 4 percent).
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
FDA-approved micronized progesterone (Prometrium) can be used with estrogen as an element of HRT. Research indicates that augmenting HRT with progesterone protects against the adverse effects of estrogen.
Infertility
Intravaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8 percent) has been given the nod by the FDA for use a component of infertility treatment in women. Some researchers say that the intervaginal application of progesterone and injecting it into the muscle may have similar effectiveness for enhancing pregnancy rates as when given orally (by mouth).
Research also shows that intravaginal progesterone appears to be as effective for pregnancy rates as the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). AIP, led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides compounding pharmacy solutions, including online prescription refills, to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay, Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
