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Does Progesterone Help With Hot Flashes? |
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Does Progesterone Help With Hot Flashes?
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Darrell Miller | 10/05/11 |
Date:
October 05, 2011 01:20 PM
Author: Darrell Miller
(dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Does Progesterone Help With Hot Flashes?
Progesterone is one of the dominant reproductive hormones of females. It works hand in hand with another hormone known as estrogen for the reproductive development of the female body. This hormone is required in many reproductive activities such as menstruation and pregnancy. Inside the body, if progesterone levels are high, it could probably be due to pregnancy, cancer of the ovaries, H - mole pregnancy or overproduction of sex hormones by the adrenal glands due to abnormal growth on the said gland. On the other hand, low levels of progesterone in the blood may indicate problems with ovulation and a possible miscarriage. In menopausal or post - menopausal women, progesterone levels are also low just like estrogen.
Low levels of sex hormones have a direct effect on the mood and physiological aspect of the individual. It can cause behavioral changes, irritability, night sweats and hot flashes. Hot flashes are quite disturbing because it makes body temperature increase to a level where it can make you uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important that if progesterone is at low levels, it must be replenished. Supplements are widely available to increase the value of progesterone inside the body. This hormone is prescribed in combination with estrogen to decrease the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Progesterone supplement is also commonly prescribed for pregnant women who have threatened abortion. This hormone supplement can effectively help maintain pregnancy until its full term.
This hormone is produced by the ovaries upon the release of a mature egg cell. Progesterone is the hormone responsible for nourishing the uterus and preparing the uterine lining for possible egg cell and sperm cell fertilization. If the egg cell is not fertilized by a sperm, the value of progesterone will then decrease thus the lining of the uterus will not be nourished anymore. This will result to the sloughing off of uterine lining, thus menstruation begins. Then the cycle goes on and on and on. If the woman is pregnant, the one that produces this hormone is the placenta. Progesterone is produced in high amount at the later part of the first trimester until childbirth. This hormone is said to maintain pregnancy and prevent unintentional abortion. Progesterone in the body during pregnancy is about ten times more than that of a non – pregnant woman.
Clinical studies have revealed that progesterone can significantly reduce hot flashes at approximately 80%. In the study, the women who are supplemented with progesterone are less depressed and experiences lesser extent of night sweats and hot flashes. Scientists suggest that as small as a 20 milligram supplement of progesterone daily can significantly relieve hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms of menopause.
Together with progesterone supplementation, exercise, low – fat and high – fiber diet and a positive mental attitude can be of great help to help you cope with the symptoms of menopause. It would also be best that you will seek medical consultation so that necessary safety will be established. A thorough health assessment and evaluation is important so that untoward reactions and other drug interactions will be prevented.
