Uterine fibroids can cause pain, bloating and additional pressure on your lower extremities. This leads to frustration and the desire for an effective treatment and cure. Discussing your diagnosis with your obstetrician is the first step to successful treatment, and can very well include taking natural progesterone supplements or creams. Understanding fibroids and the role of natural progesterone in maintaining uterine health will provide you with the peace of mind to move forward with treatment.
Definition
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that occur most often during premenopause. This meaning they are not cancerous and in most cases, not life threatening. According to the Virginia Hopkins Health Watch publication, progesterone is a hormone found in the female body that helps prevent a condition known as estrogen dominance. By keeping estrogen levels constant, progesterone prevents the uterus from becoming enlarged and these growths from forming. When progesterone levels decrease and estrogen increases, fibroids can form from the size of a dime to the size of a grapefruit, emitting varying levels of discomfort and pain throughout the abdomen.
Effects
During a fibroid course of treatment, options such as full hysterectomy or freezing of these growths is discussed; however, these treatments are not always the answer. According to the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation, progesterone in the form of birth control or hormone medications are effective at treating increased vaginal bleeding during menstruation. As a side effect, this decrease in bleeding and lower extremity pressure helps women to experience fewer effects of fibroid formations, including decreased pain and fibroid growth.
Types
Progesterone creams are the most basic of progesterone treatments available by prescription. According to the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause," Dr. John R. Lee, M.D. states that progesterone creams are easily absorbed through the skin due to their being a fat-soluble compound. Circulating through the blood with ease, progesterone cream acts just like your naturally made progesterone. Another type of progesterone treatment includes oral medication that may be combined with estrogen. Estrogen-containing treatments are less ideal, as this is the hormone that actually grows fibroids, therefore medications known as progesterone agonist are another natural progesterone option, as they contain no estrogen whatsoever.
Precautions
As with any treatment, side effects are present in some women who undergo progesterone therapy. Although progesterone is natural, side effects such as mood swings, fluid retention, loss of sexual desire, dry mouth or nausea may occur, according to Drugs.com. Medical treatment should be sought immediately if you notice swelling or pain in your legs, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath or hives. Always read the doctor-provided information regarding progesterone treatment thoroughly and do not be afraid to ask any questions.
Benefits
Natural progesterone comes with many benefits when used to treat uterine fibroids. According to the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation, stopping excess blood loss and prevention of anemia are two important functions of therapy. Another benefit to progesterone therapy includes the option of keeping your uterus intact without surgical removal. Virginia Hopkins Health Watch states that most doctors perform a hysterectomy due to the difficulty of removing fibroids. Effective treatment through progesterone will provide enough comfort for you to avoid this option.
References
- National Uterine Fibroids Foundation: Uterine Fibroids
- Virginia Hopkins Health Watch: Fibroids and Natural Progesterone
- Drugs.com: Progesterone Side Effects
- "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause": by John R. Lee, M.D. and Virginia Hopkins Warner Books 2004
