Hormones serve as chemical messengers. They are transported through your bloodstream to your organs and tissues where they help exert a wide variety of biological functions. Hormones are necessary for reproduction, metabolism and growth and development. Pregnenolone is a parent hormone needed to manufacture other hormones. Mexican wild yams are the primary source of naturally derived progesterone. Persian walnuts appear to provide another source. Consult your doctor before taking natural progesterone.
Background
Progesterone is the parent hormone for estrogen, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol. Estrogen is needed for female reproduction and testosterone is responsible for male characteristics. Low progesterone and/or estrogen is commonly associated with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems. Natural progesterone is used as an alternative to traditional progesterone replacement, which uses synthetic progesterone called progestin.
Mexican Wild Yams
Known by its botanical name Dioscorea villosa, Mexican wild yam is a perennial plant native to North America. It contains a hormone-like substance called diosgenin, which is chemically similar to progesterone. Diosgenin is extracted from Mexican wild yams and converted to progesterone. There is no clinical data showing that your body can convert diosgenin to progesterone, according to Cancer.org. This conversion is done in a lab to produce naturally derived progesterone creams.
Persian Walnut -- Juglans regia
Juglans regia, better known as Persian walnut, is a walnut tree species. Scientists previously believed only animals produced progesterone. However, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago gathered and presented evidence to the contrary. Guido F. Pauli and his colleagues presented evidence identifying the presence of progesterone in Persian walnut. Their study is published in the March 2010 issue of the "Journal of Natural Products."
Precautions
Although proponents of natural progesterone claim it is safer than progesterone, there are no clinical data to support this claim. Natural progesterone is expected to cause similar side effects as synthetic progestin, which include tiredness, headache and stomach upset. The risks associated with traditional hormone replacement therapy include blood clots, heart attack and stroke, according to Mayoclinic.com. As of August 2011, there is no evidence that natural progesterone is free of these associations. (Reference 3)
