During a woman's reproductive years, progesterone levels in the body fluctuate in a cyclic pattern. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of progesterone in the bloodstream is less than 1 ng/ml. During the second half, or luteal phase, progesterone in the bloodstream ranges from 3 ng/ml to 25 ng/ml.

Very high levels of progesterone are necessary to maintain a pregnancy. When pregnancy occurs, the placenta takes over output of progesterone, producing levels up to 30 times greater than normal peak levels. Following birth, the progesterone level drops abruptly.

A woman's progesterone level naturally declines during perimenopause, and menopause, and after a hysterectomy, where the ovaries have been removed, as do her levels of estrogen and testosterone.

Hormone Balance

The balance of progesterone and estrogen in a woman's body is very important. At different times in her life, hormonal imbalance can result in symptoms of PMS, perimenopause, or menopause. Symptoms of progesterone imbalance include moodiness, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, weight gain, bloating, and breast tenderness.

In the right amount, progesterone:

• Has a calming effect
• Enhances mood
• Regulates fluid balance
• Normalizes sleep
• Increases sex drive
• Helps use fat for energy
• Stabilizes blood sugar, thyroid function, and mineral balance
• Decreases risk of endometrial cancer
• May help protect against breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts, and osteoporosis

Self-Care

Whether you choose prescription progesterone therapy or not, self-care, including exercise and a healthy diet, is an important foundation for hormone balance. Natural Progesterone Cream and vitamin supplements such as ProCycle^® PMS formulated just for women are non-prescription options designed to support good health.

Progesterone Cream

Progesterone USP can be added to creams that are sold over-the-counter if the amount of progesterone is below 0.016 percent. Our Natural Progesterone Cream is formulated with 480 mg per ounce as recommended by Dr. John Lee.

What about ''wild yam cream?''

Though it can be found on the shelf of every health food store, we recommend caution when purchasing ''wild yam cream.'' Wild yam doesn't contain progesterone, and your body does not convert wild yam extract into progesterone. If a wild yam cream does contain progesterone, the manufacturers have added progesterone USP, however, the amount of progesterone in wild yam creams is widely variable, ranging from none at all to as high as 10 percent.

To Be Sure of What You are Getting - Choose Prescription Therapy

Better yet, have your health care professional write a prescription for cream or another progesterone medication containing natural progesterone USP that can be individually compounded just for you - by a registered pharmacist. With a prescription medication, you and your doctor will know exactly how much progesterone you are getting, and your doctor can increase or decrease the progesterone dose, based on your response. Prescription creams are often less expensive than most wild yam creams and many insurance companies will reimburse.

Other Prescription Options

Natural progesterone cream is not the only option for progesterone therapy and is not necessarily the best option for all women. Low-dose, natural progesterone is also available in a variety of other dosage forms including even-release tablets, capsules and suppositories. As with all of the major hormones, baseline and follow-up testing of progesterone levels is critical for maintaining hormone levels in a therapeutic range and avoiding the side effects of underdosing or overdosing.

At Madison Pharmacy Associates our prescriptions are individually formulated and prepared just for you. Our original formulas use only natural (natural) hormones like the ones your body produces naturally. Your prescribing physician can choose from many different strengths and delivery systems. We're here to help with your questions and concerns. Give the registered pharmacists at Madison Pharmacy Associates a call at 1-800-558-7046. We'll work with you and your health professional to arrive at the prescription that will most effectively manage your PMS or other symptoms and suit your lifestyle.