Many people are confused about how progesterone is made and where it comes from. The confusion arises because many websites and blogs provide misinformation, some say that it is made from yam, while others say that it is made from soy.
Progesterone is made from various plant sterols, all plants have sterols which are often called phytosterols. Plants such as the soy bean, Dioscorea species of yams, fenugreek, sisal, calabar bean, some lilies, yucca, some solanum species, maize and many more contain phytosterols. Some of which are stigmasterol, diosgenin, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, hecogenin, sarsasapogenin, solasodine. As these plant sterols have a similar molecular structure to cholesterol, they are used as starting points for the synthesis of progesterone. So the synthesis ends with a progesterone molecule, or molecules. It is only progesterone and can only be progesterone. If it was contaminated with anything else, be it yam, soy or any other plant, it would not be legal to call it progesterone. The bottom line is, it does not matter what plant is used for synthesising progesterone, the end result is progesterone, nothing more and nothing less. This applies to all brands of natural progesterone.
Jul 05, 2018
Still need clarification on dosing after reading recommendations by: Anonymous
I am 48, still menstruating with an average 28 day or less cycle. I'm not taking any Rx meds. I'm taking anywhere from 300-900mg of St. John's Wort w/ 15-45 mg of 5-HTP for depression and mood swings daily.
I believe I have been using progesterone incorrectly due to not using enough. Your recommendations for peri menopausal women is to follow a cycle if periods are not erratic and if erratic, then use every day. I have found however that if I stop using progeserone cream when bleeding begins, I develop flu like symptoms with terrible body aches and weakness.
Is it ok to use daily even if my periods are NOT erratic but rather still stick to a cycle? Please advise.
Jul 07, 2018
Still need clarification on dosing after reading recommendations by: Joy
Hi
Yes it is ok to use the cream every day with no breaks. If you are experiencing adverse symptoms when not taking it then you body is telling you that you need it. Between 100-200mg is needed, more if symptoms are sever. Use half the amount in the morning and the other half at night. Please read How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance.
Vitamin D3 is very important as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone, optimal range is between 70-100ng/mL. Nothing less than 5,000iu's is needed daily. Co-factors are needed when taking D3, magnesium and vitamin K2 with no soy are the important ones.
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Although this web site is not intended to be prescriptive, it is intended, and hoped, that it will induce in you a sufficient level of scepticism about some health care practices to impel you to seek out medical advice that is not captive to purely commercial interests, or blinded by academic and institutional hubris. You are encouraged to refer any health problem to a health care practitioner and, in reference to any information contained in this web site, preferably one with specific knowledge of progesterone therapy.