Natural Progesterone & Irregular Menses

Progesterone is a hormone that a woman's body naturally produces to manage ovulation and menstruation. Some women, however, have an impaired production of progesterone, causing menstrual irregularities and fertility problems. Additionally, progesterone declines naturally with age but with this decrease can come physiological symptoms such as thinning of your bones and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. Natural progesterone, which is usually administered in topical form, may help restore balance to your body that may help regulate your menstrual cycle. Check with your doctor before using any natural supplement.

Natural Progesterone

Natural progesterone available as a topical cream at your local health food store, is purported to treat symptoms related to menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, and other menstrual problems. A 2005 study published in the "Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" found that natural progesterone cream provides the same amount of progesterone to women's bodies as a prescription version of the hormone. The study specifically chose a natural progesterone cream marketed as a beauty product but with claims that it can reduce thinning of the bones and other menopausal symptoms.

Irregular Menses

The purpose of the menstrual cycle is to prepare your body for a potential pregnancy. In the event you do not become pregnant, the lining of the uterus is shed, normally every 28 days. Irregular menses are usually caused by an imbalance of female hormones, including progesterone. This can be caused by stress, aging, illness or too little body fat but in all cases, this condition can lead to thinning of the bones and infertility.

Natural Progesterone for Irregular Menses

Progesterone replacement is prescribed to treat a variety of problems, including irregular menses. Some women however, concerned about potential side effects of synthetic progesterone replacement such as impaired glucose metabolism and increased blood pressure may turn to natural progesterone instead. If, in fact, a natural progesterone can deliver this hormone to your body it would, in theory have some effectiveness in regulating your menstrual cycle. Given the results of the University of Illinois study, this may be a reasonable assumption however, at least one type of natural progesterone doesn't actually provide any of the hormone to your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, wild yam, which is a purported natural progesterone source, doesn't actually deliver any progesterone to your body.

Considerations

Prescription progesterone replacement can have multiple side effects including increased blood clotting, acne and excess male-pattern hair growth. Natural progesterone, too, may have adverse effects, including the risk of estrogenic effects that can trigger development of estrogen-driven cancers in some women. Any irregularity in your menstrual cycle should be discussed with your doctor in order to determine the cause and treatment options. Never use an over-the-counter natural version of progesterone before checking with your doctor.

Natural Progesterone & Irregular Menses