Progesterone - Biological Function/Therapeutic Applications

This section documents the essential biological functions of Progesterone and the therapeutic applications of exogenous, replacement (supplemental) Progesterone.

Cardiovascular System

 Progesterone may inhibit the excessive proliferation of the Smooth Muscle of the Endothelium of Blood Vessels (excessive proliferation of the Smooth Muscle of the Endothelium of Blood Vessels can lead to Atherosclerosis). ^[1]

 Progesterone may help to prevent many types of Cardiovascular Diseases (due to its ability to minimize risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases such as elevated LDL Cholesterol, lowered HDL Cholesterol, and elevated Triglyceride levels). ^[2]

 Progesterone may help prevent Heart Attack. ^[3]

 Progesterone may help to prevent High Blood Pressure (by facilitating the excretion of excessive Sodium from the body). 

 Progesterone may facilitate recovery from (ischemic) Stroke. ^[4]

Excretory System

 Progesterone may alleviate urinary Urinary Incontinence in postmenopausal women. 

Hair

 Progesterone may protect against Hair Loss that affects some post-menopausal women. ^[5]

 Progesterone may alleviate Hirsutism: 

 Anecdotal reports from menopausal and menstruating women indicate that facial and body Hair decreases or disappears after three to six months of twice daily topical administration of Progesterone cream.

 Progesterone 2% - 5% cream applied topically may retard further Hair Loss and may stimulate some regrowth of Hair in men afflicted with Male Pattern Baldness. ^[6]

Immune System

 Topical progesterone cream may alleviate Allergies due to its role as a precursor for the production of Glucocorticosteroid Hormones such as Cortisol and Cortisone. ^[7]

 Topical progesterone cream may alleviate many Autoimmune Diseases in women (the underlying mechanism for this effect is speculated to be the ability of Progesterone to counteract estrogen dominance, which has been implicated as a cause of many Autoimmune Diseases in women). ^[8]

 Optimal endogenous Progesterone levels may help prevent many forms of Cancer in women and some in men. ^[9]

 Optimal endogenous Progesterone levels may help prevent the development of Cancer - Breast. ^[10]

 Supplemental natural Progesterone may help to prevent Cancer - Endometrium in postmenopausal females (by counteracting Estrogens-dominance that is implicated in Endometrial Cancer). ^[11]

 Progesterone may inhibit the growth of Cancer - Prostate cells by inhibiting the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone and by opposing the Prostate Cancer-stimulating effects of Estrogens. It is also speculated that Progesterone may stimulate Prostate Cancer cells to undergo Apoptosis (programmed cell death). ^[12]

 Progesterone may help prevent Cancer - Uterus. ^[13]

Metabolism

 Progesterone may facilitate the utilization of Adipose Tissue for Energy production by promoting uncoupling. 

 Progesterone may lower total serum Cholesterol levels:  ^[14]

 Progesterone may increase High Density Lipoproteins levels. ^[15]

 Progesterone may lower elevated LDL - Biochemical Testing of LDL Cholesterol Levels. ^[16]

 Progesterone may increase Energy levels by acting as an uncoupling agent. Progesterone facilitates the use of Adipose Tissue (body fat) for energy production.