|
Is there any other drugs to worry about while I'm on progesterone?
Estrogens
PMS is caused by too much estrogen.
Women produce estrogen themselves from the follicles on their ovaries.
Estrogen is also produced by the fat cells. In fact, an obese women after menopause produces more estrogen than
a skinny women before menopause. In fact, after menopause, estrogen production drops to only 60% of premenopause
levels. However, progesterone levels drop almost to zero compared to premenopause levels.
Taking Natural Progesterone will resensitize the estrogen receptors
to estrogen so that your body will become more sensitive to estrogen supplemements.
Dr. Lee reccommends to immediately cut the dose of estrogen to one
half, and DISCONTINUE estrogen supplements altogether over a period of 3-4 months.
Progestins
Dr. Lee maintains that a woman on a progestin such as Provera (Medroxyprogesterone
acetate) or Megestrol should stop the progestin. Immediately lower the dose by 1/2 and lower it more the second
month. By the third month the progestin may be completely stopped. There are two reasons for this method.
The first reason is that the progestin competes for the binding
sites of progesterone. Thus, continued use of the progestin will block the effect of progesterone.
The second reason is that plasma progesterone levels will not reach
a maximum level until the 2nd or 3rd month of use. Initially, in progesterone deficient patients, much of the progesterone
is absorbed into body fat. With continued use, fat levels of progesterone reach an equilibrium such that successive
doses of progesterone result in increased blood levels and stronger physiological effects. Thus, progesterone applications
may take 2 to 3 months before the maximum benefits are experienced.
Thyroid
Cellular utilization of thyroid hormone is impeded by estrogen and
promoted by progesterone. Thus, when using progesterone and cutting back on estrogen supplementation thyroid hormone
is more efficiently utilized by the body. For patients taking thyroid hormone, the dosage may need to be cut back.
[home]
. Contact drjamesmd@juno.com for more information.
 
SmartClicks: Target Advertising
For Free
|
