Progesterone and Psoriasis

by Pam
(Sacramento)

I have psoriasis and just read on a web site that progesterone can cause the psoriasis to get worse.

I am a bit confused because I read on your web site that progesterone cream may help psoriasis. I just ordered more progesterone cream and now I am wondering. I don't want to use something that will make the psoriasis worse. What is your opinion on this?

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Progesterone and Psoriasis

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Jun 09, 2011
 Progesterone and Psoriasis
by: Wray

Hi Pam I've not heard that progesterone can cause a worsening of psoriasis. Most probably the amount used was too low. This almost always has an adverse effect, as progesterone initially stimulates oestrogen. This is an inflammatory hormone, plus it stimulates mitosis and cell proliferation. Psoriasis is often induced by stress and as progesterone is excellent at calming us, it seems unlikely progesterone would make it worse. Plus progesterone inhibits mitosis, and induces apoptosis. I have helped people who've used progesterone and had success too. But I believe you are short of vitamin D, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Interestingly, progesterone and vitamin D work together, a lack of vitamin D reducing the benefits of progesterone. The skin comprises 95% kerotinocytes, these have ample receptors for both progesterone and vitamin D. In all the studies above, calcitriol was used, this is the hormone that D3 is converted to. But calcitriol also needs D3 to work effectively, so to my mind a combo would be of more benefit. Please have a vitamin D test done, for more info on testing see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. If you should continue using the progesterone, please use sufficient. I recommend 100-200mg/day, dependant on symptoms. I don't know how much you've been using, but if it's the typical 20-40mg/day, please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance before increasing it. Take care Wray

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