John Lee, M.D., is a well-known advocate of the benefits of natural progesterone. He has several very popular books and many women follow his advice. He recommends natural progesterone cream to balance your hormones, eliminate premenopausal symptoms, and make you feel better. His therapy is based on the theory of "Estrogen Dominance." His book also discusses the dangers of xenohormones--substances not found in nature that have hormonal effects--frequently found in pesticides, solvents, plastics, and hormone-treated meat. He also presents common symptoms of premenopause with suggested natural treatments (progesterone cream, diet, vitamins, and herbs) and substances to avoid, plus additional chapters on diet and exercise.

Is HRT Dangerous?
How Bio-identical Hormones Can Help with Menopausal Symptoms
by Lise Cloutier-Steele

Since the U.S. National Health Institutes pulled the plug on their largest study of conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) last year, the media have issued countless reports on the dangers of supplementing with hormones. Among the important research discoveries: Conventional HRT does not protect your bones or your heart, two of the primary benefits once used by doctors as selling points to get women to fill their prescriptions. Another claim was that the conventional HRT could alleviate the discomfort of severe flushing and night sweats. In this article, by author Lise Cloutier-Steele of "Misinformed Consent, she describes how to use bio-identical hormones that are made from plants. You are welcomed to join our support group and share your experiences with our group of over 4,000 women.

Differing opinions about Estrogen Dominance

What is the scientific evidence supporting the theory of "Estrogen Dominance"? We asked several respected authors in the field about Dr. Lee's theory and here are their opinions.

Steven Goldstein, MD
"A gross oversimplification..."

Dr. Steven Goldstein, MD, author of Could It Be Perimenopause & The Estrogen Alternative says, "To merely say that all perimenopausal symptoms are secondary to estrogen dominance is a gross over simplification.....I have seen patients inadvertently treated this way whose symptoms became worse. I believe it is the fluctuations in unopposed estrogen and thus estrogen withdrawal that often results in many of the symptoms both bleeding and psychosocial. The use of birth control pills therefore is totally different. A main thrust of the pill is the fact that it suppresses ovarian function and substitutes a small amount of estrogen and progesterone all month long therefore giving the patient back a steady state equilibrium.

Dr. Goldstein's interview

Mayo & Mayo
"If progesterone levels are adequate,
adding more may actually make her feel worse...."

Husband and wife team Mayo & Mayo, authors of the book The Menopause Manager speak on "Estrogen Dominance. "There is no one solution for everyone or even for the same woman month to month. The problem is that the perimenopause is a time of great and erratic hormonal fluctuation for many women.   Something that works consistently is therefore hard to find. When a woman produces an egg that lacks the ability to trigger the full hormonal effect or she fails to ovulate, progesterone levels can be low. Giving such a woman progesterone may be helpful in that it restores a more normal hormonal balance.  But hormone levels vary and low progesterone may not be the case. If progesterone levels are adequate, adding more may actually make her feel worse since it can have a sedative effect and produce PMS-like symptoms.  Low-dose birth control pills even out the levels of estrogen and progesterone, reducing symptoms.

Mayo & Mayo interview

Ruth Jacobowitz
"I doubt it"

Ruth Jacobowitz, author of 150 Most-Asked Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy says, "From all the research I have done for my books and lectures and all that I continue to do, I have to say I doubt it. The loss of estrogen at menopause seems to be the culprit and the cause of the so-call nuisance symptoms of menopause---those hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, etc.--as well as the long-term serious health problems--such as osteoporosis. Besides so much research, replicated around the world, is demonstrating that estrogen may protect women against heart disease, colon/rectal cancer, Alzheimer's disease, osteoarthritis, dental disease, as well as macular degeneration -- that leads to blindness."

Jacobowitz interview

Natural vs. Synthetic Hormones

In Stephanie Bender's best seller, The Power of Perimenopause, she covers all aspects of perimenopause and menopause. She spends a great deal of time talking about how to use hormones to balance out the ups and downs of perimenopause and menopause.   Ms. Bender talks about the differences between synthetic and natural hormone preparations, you'll be surprised to learn what she has to say.

Bender interview

What is Premphase?
Premphase contains both Premarin and a progesterone. The estrogen is taken every day. The progestin is added to the estrogen pill for the last two 2 weeks of the menstrual cycle. This is done so that it most closely resembles the normal menstrual cycle

Natural Oral Micronized Progesterone (Prometrium)

Comments from our readers - pros & cons

"It changed my life...."
From Donna
I read Dr. Lee's book about 5 years ago when I was in my early 40's. My life was out of control. My periods were extremely heavy, I had a D&C and still my periods were uncontrollable....My gynecologist could not find anything wrong with me....Being my mother had breast cancer, I did not want to go on hormone therapy. It was around that time I came across Dr.Lee's book. It seemed to make sense to me and I decided to give natural progesterone a try. It was the best decision of my life. I use it for about 2 to 2-1/2 weeks a month and I saw immediate relief from my problems within the first couple of weeks....I don't know if natural progesterone cream is for everyone or not, but I swear by it.... ALL of my symptoms improved....But this is a product that definitely works for me so I am going to stick with it for as long as I need to.
Donna

"Bad experience using Progesterone Cream"
From: Bonnie
I read Dr. Lee's book and just knew that I needed the cream as my symptoms sounded identical - heavy periods and closer together, fibroid, sleep problems, shaking, trembling, hair loss, etc. I could have sworn that I had what he described - an overdominance of estrogen and low progesterone. It sounded like my answer to use the cream! Wrong, it was the worst experience I ever imagined. Rapid heartbeat, racing thoughts, anxiety, couldn't sleep or hardly sit still. I almost thought I was having a heart attack as my heart was pounding so bad....Trying to figure all this out is so frustrating and I am almost resigned to just having to tolerate my heavy periods and learn to stay close to the house the first day of my cycle.
Bonnie

Experience with hypoglycemia & anxiety
From Pauline
Experience? I'll say so. And first hand too. First of all I've been hypoglycemic for 16 years...monitored with my Accu-Chek glucose monitor. Even when following the hypoglycemic diet, I was still having extreme low blood sugar reading and symptoms, just a few hours after a meal even. My anxiety was getting worse too. A friend told me to read Dr. Lee's book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. So I read it.... I also started keeping a journal on my calendar of how I felt each day. I also noticed than that I was having these hypoglycemic symptoms, much more intensely during my period.... I did experiment with some natural progesterone....As noting on my calendar, I felt surprisingly better the 8 days prior to my periods the past 2 months. Feeling happier, more calm, more energy, clearer thinking capacity and my blood sugar levels/symptoms much more stable. Hummmmm... my progesterone levels were higher than, and I felt better, and when there was not progesterone and only estrogen I felt worse. Amazing, that this theory Dr. Lee presented in his book seemed to tie right in to how I felt.... I had a total hysterectomy 9 months ago.... I have been on estrogen HRT, progesterone, DHEA and come low dose of hydrocortisone for my exhausted adrenal glands. I also take all natural hormones, still trying to get just the right balance. I'm not symptom free completely, but doing ALLOT better than I was 5 years ago.
Pauline

Pauline's Apricot-Almond No Sugar Cheesecake

Dr. Lee's book...did not help...a bit one-sided...
From: plehr
I did not have problems with the progesterone cream nor did it help my peri symptoms. My doctor told me to try the troches and I did that two nites and threw them away and went on birth control pills.  Several minutes after I took a troche I would get a rapid heartbeat, minutes later a blinding migraine and then I pretty much passed out. I agree with many that doctors are not much help;   however, we would not self-medicate for illnesses and I don't believe we should do anything during peri without at least consulting with a doctor.  My GYN found my trial of progesterone cream amusing but I knew if I had problems he would be there to help.  Dr. Lee's book is pretty one-sided and it never really cautions you that adding progesterone when you lack estrogen too can cause numerous problems. The fact is you can have an unbalanced amount of estrogen:progesterone and still not have adequate estrogen.  In my case the progesterone saliva tests were low but the estrogen was non-existent. Simply adding progesterone can complicate matters.  It is important that you find out what you need before trying things.

Have you used Natural Progesterone Cream or had experience with Dr. Lee's book?
Tell us

 

Prometrium - What can it do for you?
Prometrium is a form of natural progesterone. Laura E. Corio, M.D., is a board-certified ob/gyn whose thriving New York City practice attracts women from across the country because of her unique blend of no-nonsense medical advice, extensive knowledge of alternative approaches, and close collaboration with patients. According to Dr. Corio in her book The Change Before the Change the benefits of progesterones like Prometrium are: Relieves PMS symptoms; Relieves painful periods; Controls abnormal bleeding; Relieves insomnia; Relieves depression; Relieves anxiety; Builds bone; Does not negate the positive cardiovascular effects of estrogen; Controls endometriosis.
What can it do for you? Find out more.

Depression and Mood Swings
by Linda Ojeda
Linda Ojeda, author of Menopause without Medicine says, "A number of herbs have been proven to calm anxiety and reduce tension.  It is advantageous to use herbs in conjunction with positive changes in nutrition and lifestyle." She also talks about using Ginkgo biloba, Passion flower, Skullcap and other natural ways to improve mood.

Meet the Author
"Menopause Made Easy"
by Dr. Carolle Jean-Marat, MD
hosted by Sue Spataro
Interview & FREE Excerpt
Today's woman must educate herself about menopause and the risks and rewards of taking HRT, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic therapies. With humor, candor, and plain non-technical language, Dr. Jean-Murat discusses the current needs and concerns of midlife women, empowering us to make the right decisions. In our interview, she discusses Selecting over the counter products, Black Cohosh, and Racial Differences & Menopause and also features a FREE excerpt from her book, Stress and Depression. If you have any questions, you can ask them on our HotFlash support group.

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Dr. Steve Goldstein
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