Reproducing post for you. Prometrium/Crinone is a natural yam progesterone that
can be prescribed by a doctor, an alternative to Provera. No matter what, see a
gyn and get hormonal bloodwork done to find out what the problem is before
getting a diagnosis.
--
Victoria
There was a lot of discussion recently on the promotion of progesterone cremes
on another list. I wrote up my research.html page and included some of the
information on there here. If anyone wants the links, please let me know
privately. I don't want to go against the non advertising rules of the list
here, but most of the information is already put elsewhere.
See the following of my posts (including letters from the FDA to companies) and
from Quackwatch.com in regards to natural progesterone. I would also read Dr.
Barrett's comments on
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/quacksell.html and
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/spotquack.html (#13, #16, #18,
#19, #23, #24).
I'm trying to find out about a comment made on Quackwatch.com that Dr. Lee owned
Aviary? labs (before selling it to an 'ally') and that he had a product line of
his own. Also that no ob/gyn or reproductive endocrinologist has agreed with the
science of what Dr. Lee is promoting.
http://www.quackwatch.com/04ConsumerEducation/QA/wyc.html
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/wildyam.html
In September 2000, the FDA warned the company owners (Roger J. and Debra L.
Peeples) that it was illegal to suggest that their "Miracle Wild Yam Cream" was
useful in treating or preventing osteoporosis, symptoms of menopause,
depression, premenstrual syndrome, breast cancer, postpartum depression, ovarian
cysts, fibrocystic mastitis, infertility, or other diseases and conditions. In
February 2002, the Illinois Attorney General charged the company and owners with
violating the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the
Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
In premenstrual syndrome, for example, double-blind controlled trials have
demonstrated that progesterone supplementation is no better than a placebo. Also
blatantly false is the claim that synthetic progestins are dangerous whereas
natural progesterone is harmless. Progesterone in any form may cause side
effects.
The more blatantly erroneous claim is that the Mexican yam, Dioscorea villosa,
from which the cream is supposedly made is a source of progesterone. It is not.
In fact, the main hormonally active substances present in the plant would
probably be estrogenic. Extracts of D. villosa do have significant amounts of
the substance diosgenin. The plant is therefore very useful because in the
lab -- not in the human body -- diosgenin can be used to synthesize steroid
hormones including progesterone. Indeed, it was this discovery that led to the
first commercially available oral contraceptives. The progesterone listed among
the ingredients in Wild Yam Cream may very well have been derived in this way
via the test tube from naturally occurring diosgenin. But that, of course, isn't
mentioned in the product literature.
Also left unmentioned is the fact that, once introduced into the body by any
effective means (including through the skin), the progesterone molecule can be
metabolized to a wide variety of other compounds including estrogens, androgens,
and even corticosteroids. Indeed, all of these vital hormones are the products
of the continuous production of progesterone and its physiologic conversion of
in the ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands. Part of the usefulness of synthetic
progestins, on the other hand, is that they are not subject to these biochemical
pathways but are able to exert their desired effects until metabolized and
excreted.
Thus, not only is there little reason to suppose that Wild Yam Cream would be
helpful for the medical conditions for which it is being promoted, but it
doubtful that it ever could be as useful as synthetic progesterone.
In addition, Mark Perloe, a noted PCOS reproductive endocrinologist, has stated
"Topical progesterone can be wonderful. 95% is metabolized to
hydroxyprogesterones with little protective effect. Yet, these metabolites can
bind to the Cl ion channel, like valium. Salivary and serum progesterone
correlations tend to be quite high."
Victoria
From: anonymous@obgyn.net (BJ)
Angela,
This usually indicates that you are not ovulating, not an unusual
situation after being on the pill. You might try using natural
(bio-identical) progesterone cream for the last 2 weeks of your cycle,
from midcycle until your period starts. This usually works to regulate
your cycle and kick start your ovary again. Doctors will prescribe
Provera to do this but why use a synthetic when the real (and safer!)
hormone is available. Also, progesterone is the critical hormone for
conception and carrying to term. If you get pregnant while using it
just keep using it through the second trimester to give your placenta a
chance to get up to full progesterone production. Provera is
contraindicated for pregnancy and can cause problems for the baby.
Good luck!
BJ
![[ Women's Health Forum ]](http://www.obgyn.net/images_women/wh-forum.gif)