PMS News

  PMS News Painful Menstruation Painful menstruation or Dysmenorrhea is when menstrual periods are accompanied by either sharp, intermittent pain or dull, aching pain, usually located in the lower abdomen or pelvis. 50% of women experience painful menstruation to some degree and up 10% have severe, disabling pain that affects their lifes. Painful menstruation is caused by the production of prostaglandins during menstruation or just prior to menstruation. Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions, thereby causing pelvic and abdominal pain. Primary Dysmenorrhea Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation, in the absence of other diseases such as endometriosis. The problem is often under diagnosed and under treated. Women with primary dysmenorrhea have increased production of endometrial prostaglandin, resulting in increased uterine tone and stronger, more frequent uterine contractions. Secondary Dysmenorrhea Secondary dysmenorrhea is due to some physical cause and usually of later onset; painful menstrual periods caused by an another medical condition present in the body (i.e., pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis). Self-Care * Mild exercise like walking or biking. Exercise may improve blood flow and reduce pelvic pain. * Use a heating pad or hot water bottle over your lower abdomen for intervals of not greater than 20 minutes. Be careful not to fall asleep on the heating pad. * Take warm bath. * Gently massage your abdomen. * Get plenty of rest and reduce your exposure to stressful situations. * Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. * Drink a hot cup of regular tea, chamomile or mint tea. PMS Predicts Problem Menopause More Hot Flashes, Mood Swings Reported Later in Life for PMS Sufferers Women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are likely to have a harder time later in life during the transition to menopause, new research shows. In a study published in the May issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, investigators found that PMS suffers were twice as likely to experience hot flashes and mood swings as they approached “the change” as women who did not have PMS. While it may seem unfair, the link does make sense, according to Pamela Boggs the North American Menopause Society director of Education and Development. She says women with PMS tend to be especially sensitive to fluctuating hormones, and fluctuating hormones are also the cause of the symptoms associated with the time prior menopause, known as perimenopause. “We have known for some time that if a woman has bad PMS in her younger years this is a fairly good predictor of a bad perimenopause,” she said. “During this period estrogen levels are high some days and low others, and this is especially troubling for women who are sensitive.” From PMS to Hot Flashes Most women reach menopause, defined as having a year without a period, in their early 50s. Perimenopause is the period lasting a decade or so before that when menstrual bleeding become erratic and many women experience hot flashes, depression, and other well-known symptoms associated with the end of the reproductive years. In the newly reported study, researchers followed 436 women approaching perimenopause for five years, in an effort to determine if PMS was predictive of these common symptoms. All the women were between the ages of 35 and 47 when enrolled in the study, and all reported normal menstrual cycles during the preceding three months. PMS symptoms declined significantly as menstrual bleeding became less frequent, with the likelihood of having PMS decreasing by 26% among the women considered to be in early perimenopause and by 80% among women who were late in the transition period. The women with PMS at enrollment were twice as likely to report hot flashes during the study period, and slightly more than twice as likely to report having symptoms of depression. Women with PMS were also 50% more likely to report problems with sexual desire and 72% more likely to report problems sleeping. Symptoms Similar Clinicians often have a hard time distinguishing between PMS and perimenopause because many of the symptoms are similar. This study showed that a main defining characteristic of menopausal symptoms is the fact that they can occur at anytime and are not, like PMS, cyclic in nature. We concluded that changes in cycle length may, in fact, signify the transition to menopause, and that symptoms occurring frequently throughout the cycle, and not just during the premenstrual period were also predictive,” author Ellen W. Freeman, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Tips For Hormonal Balance PMS is a direct result of hormone imbalance and can be greatly reduced by adding natural progesterone in the body. Bioidentical Progesterone Cream reduces the following PMS symptoms   * Irritability * Mood Swings * Insomnia * Migraines/Headaches * Bloating * Weight Gain * Breast Swelling or Tenderness * Fatigue * Backaches * Depression * Anger * Lack of Self Esteem * Craving for Sweets / Chocolate * Confusion Disorientation * Poor Judgment / Decisions * Swings in Energy Levels   Furthermore, every system in the body can be affected by PMS: Immune, Digestive, Circulatory, Nervous, Endocrine and Dermatology (Skin) Systems. Victims of PMS may experience any combination of the above symptoms, in varying degrees of severity, from mild to overwhelming! Progesterone is made in the ovaries. Progesterone production begins just prior to ovulation and increases rapidly until it reaches an average production of about 20mg per day. If an egg is not fertilized, progesterone production falls, triggering the menses. Progesterone is necessary throughout gestation for the survival of the fertilized egg, the resulting embryo, and the fetus. During pregnancy the placenta produces 300mg to 400mg of progesterone per day. Progesterone has many other functions, among them protecting against fibrocysts, helping the body use fat for energy, and helping normalize blood clotting and blood sugar levels. Today, many health professionals claim that the symptoms associated with PMS and menopause are due not so much to estrogen, but to a deficiency

Progesterone & PMS PMT

  PMS PMT PMS encompasses approximately 150 symptoms Symptoms range from food cravings to psychological disorders 75% of women experience PMS on a regular basis. 57% of sufferers have contemplated suicide. 97% have mood swings 94% suffer from anxiety 92% feel depressed 84% feel violent and aggressive 73% of women suffer from loss of libido -an increase of 13% from 5 years ago 80% report that their marriage has suffered as a result When one considers how common the symptoms of PMS are in “technologically advanced” cultures, (somewhere between 80% and 90% of all menstruating women between the ages of 20 and 50 experience symptoms of PMS/PMT), the conclusion might be drawn that women (and their mates) are destined to suffer. However, because there are numerous cultures among whom this condition is essentially non-existent and unknown.Why? Diet, stress and xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens), often introduced in the form of contraceptives, growth hormone fed to animals are all major contributors to this disorder. The observable symptoms generally include all or some combination of: Irritability Frustration Vertigo Bloating Mood Swings Food Cravings Depression Exhaustion Weight Gain Loss of Libido Acute Headaches Anger Panic Backaches Fatigue Breast Swelling & Tenderness   THE NORMAL RISE & FALL OF ESTROGEN & PROGESTERONE: A HEALTHY 28-DAY MENSTRUAL CYCLE Day 1 is counted by the first day of a woman’s menstrual cycle For 14 days estrogens are the dominant hormone, then Estrogen levels drop sharply in response to ovulation, then Progesterone levels rise, making it the dominant hormone for the next 14 days. If pregnancy does NOT happen before day 28, progesterone levels drop sharply, triggering the lining to shed and the start of the next menstrual month. If this is not You, how can you fix it? the one simple thing…   References: Lancet. 2008 Apr 5; 371(9619): 1200–1210. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60527-9 PMCID: PMC3118460 NIHMSID: NIHMS295696 PMID: 18395582. Premenstrual syndrome. Kimberly Ann Yonkers, MD, Prof. P M Shaughn O’Brien, MD, and Prof. Elias Eriksson, MD Frank R. The hormonal causes of premenstrual tension. Arch Neurol Psychiatry. 1931;26:1053–57. [Google Scholar] Studd JWW, Smith RNJ. Estrogens and depression in women. Menopause: J North Am Menopause Soc. 1994;1:33–37. [Google Scholar] Landen M, Eriksson E. How does premenstrual dysphoric disorder relate to depression and anxiety disorders? Depress Anxiety. 2003;17:122–29. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Yonkers KA. Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders: How are they related to premenstrual disorders. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58:62–67. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] MacDonald PC, Dombroski RA, Casey ML. Recurrent secretion of progesterone in large amounts: An endocrine/metabolic disorder unique to young women? Endocrine Rev. 1991;12:372–401. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Wyatt K, Dimmock P, Jones P, Obhrai M, O’Brien S. Efficacy of progesterone and progestogens in management of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review. BMJ. 2001;323:776–81. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]  

Progesterone & Pregnancy

  Progesterone is the “Pro-Gestation” hormone, the single most necessary hormone for a successful, full-term pregnancy. If there is a drop in progesterone levels during the first trimester or a blocking of progesterone receptor sites, this will almost always result in a Miscarriage! Later on in the pregnancy, a drop in progesterone levels or blocking of the receptors will almost always result in pre-term or early birth. At ovulation, progesterone levels rapidly rise from 2-3 mg/day to an average of 28-30 mg. per day, peaking as high as 32 mg/day. If fertilization does not occur in ten or twelve days, progesterone levels fall dramatically, triggering the shedding of the lining (the menstrual cycle). If pregnancy does occur, however, progesterone production is taken over by the placenta on or about week 18-20, which secretes an ever increasing supply of your Pro-Gestation hormone, reaching 300-400 mg/day during the third trimester! Among the numerous other desirable effects of Natural Progesterone are the following: Makes Possible the Survival of the Fertilized Egg (successful pregnancy) Maintains the Secretory Endometrium which Feeds the Ovum & Resultant Embryo (full-term pregnancy) Progesterone Surge at Ovulation is the Source of Libido For emphasis, because progesterone is absolutely essential to prevent the premature shedding of the supportive secretory endometrium, a significant drop in progesterone levels or blockade of progesterone receptor sites during the first 10 – 12 weeks of pregnancy will almost always result in the loss of the embryo (failed pregnancy or miscarriage). Dr. Katarina Dalton reports that women who use a properly formulated progesterone cream during the first 19-20 weeks of pregnancy did not suffer with toxemia and produced healthier, more intelligent children!     Dear David, I need to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the recent birth of my son. I met you via telephone after reading your web page during my fourth miscarriage almost 3 years ago. Ever since I received my first jar of progesterone cream two days later, I have lived life without the terribly agonizing symptoms of estrogen dominance, ultimately allowing me the greatest gift in life! My son, Samuel David who I named after you, is a living testimony as to the validity of your progesterone cream formula. May God bless you as He has my family. Sincerely, Karen   What is the safest & most effective method for maintaining healthy levels of progesterone during my pregnancy?  

Progesterone & Fertility

  Fertility & Body-Identical Progesterone The word progesterone is given its name because of its vital supportive role in gestation (Latin: gestare), a fact that sheds insight into its vital role in the reproductive process. Modern science confirms that insight, as, of all female hormones, progesterone is the one most essential for conception, survival of the fertilized egg and the birth of a healthy baby. At ovulation, progesterone levels rapidly rise from 2-3 mg/day to an average of 28-30 mg/day, peaking as high as 32 mg/day. If fertilization does not occur in 10-12 days, progesterone levels fall dramatically, triggering the shedding of the lining, the secretory endometrium (the next menstrual cycle) If Pregnancy Does Occur: Progesterone levels uniformly increase from about 30 mg a day for the next 40 weeks. At approximately week 18, progesterone production is taken over by the placenta, which secretes increasing levels of progesterone, reaching 300-400 mg/day during the third trimester! On about week 40, progesterone levels drop to 0, triggering the birth of a healthy baby. So think about it, if a drop in progesterone triggers the lining to shed when there is no pregnancy and a drop in progesterone triggers the birth of a healthy baby on or about week 40, how does a sharp drop in progesterone affect the developing fetus during the first trimester?… The second trimester? Miscarriage or Early Term Birth…     (These principles apply to chemicals that block progesterone receptor sites) Overview of Progesterone’s Role in a Successful Pregnancy: Progesterone Surge at Ovulation is the Source of Libido in women Progesterone Supports Survival of the Fertilized Egg Progesterone Maintains the Secretory Endometrium which Feeds the Ovum & Resultant Embryo Research by British Gynecologist, Dr. Katarina Dalton has shown that women who supplement with progesterone during pregnancy produce healthier, more intelligent children   References: Use of progesterone supplement therapy for prevention of preterm birth: review of literatures – Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2017 Sep; 60(5): 405–420. Published online 2017 Sep 18. doi: 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.5.405 Neonatal Progesterone Programs Adult Uterine Responses to Progesterone and Susceptibility to Uterine Dysfunction. Pramod Dhakal, M. A. Karim Rumi, Kaiyu Kubota, Damayanti Chakraborty, Jeremy Chien, Katherine F. Roby, Michael J. Soares Endocrinology. 2015 Oct; 156(10): 3791–3803. Published online 2015 Jul 23. doi: 10.1210/en.2015-1397. PMCID: PMC4588825 Does elevated progesterone on day of oocyte maturation play a role in the racial disparities in IVF outcomes? Micah J Hill, G. Donald Royster, IV, Mansi Taneja, Mae Wu Healy, Shvetha M Zarek, Alicia Y Christy, Alan H DeCherney, Eric Widra, Kate Devine Reprod Biomed Online. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 Feb 1. Published in final edited form as: Reprod Biomed Online. 2017 Feb; 34(2): 154–161. Published online 2016 Nov 16. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.11.002 PMCID: PMC5292078 Rethinking progesterone regulation of female reproductive cyclicity. Kaiyu Kubota, Wei Cui, Pramod Dhakal, Michael W. Wolfe, M. A. Karim Rumi, Jay L. Vivian, Katherine F. Roby, Michael J. Soares. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Apr 12; 113(15): 4212–4217. Published online 2016 Mar 28. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1601825113 PMCID: PMC4839436 Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology. Bansari Patel, Sonia Elguero, Suruchi Thakore, Wissam Dahoud, Mohamed Bedaiwy, Sam Mesiano. Hum Reprod Update. 2015 Mar; 21(2): 155–173. Published online 2014 Nov 18. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmu056 PMCID: PMC4366574  

Progesterone & Your Monthly Cycle

  Progesterone During Your Monthly Cycle The day your menstrual cycle begins is day one of your menstrual month (not related to the calendar).  From day 1 to about day 14, the estrogens should be the dominant female hormone.  Then, in response to ovulation, estrogen levels should drop sharply and be replaced by progesterone (days 14-28).  During this latter half of your menstrual cycle, the single master hormone progesterone should be the dominant hormone. When your body fails to make a sufficiency of progesterone between ovulation & menstruation (days 14-28) and during menopause, you will suffer with symptoms of PMS/PMDD and very unpleasant Menopause.   Endocrine Disrupting Compounds   How do EDC’s Affect My Progesterone Production? EDC’s block production and use of safe, healthy levels of your body’s progesterone. Why does this matter? Progesterone is the single most important hormone in the female body and is referred to as the “Master Hormone” in women. It is vitally important for the health of most cells and all organs. Progesterone is the precursor for estrogen, cortisone & testosterone, source of libido in men & women. The human brain contains many progesterone receptors, although the function of this primary hormone in brain function has not clearly been established. The resultant Benefits of correcting a progesterone deficiency in your body include (but are not limited to): Progesterone helps Burn Fat for Energy It Supports Thyroid Hormone Action Progesterone Supports “Happy!” It is a Natural Diuretic Progesterone Supports Normal Blood Sugar Levels It Supports Proper Cell Oxygen Levels Progesterone Supports an Awesome, Healthy Libido Progesterone Normalizes Menstrual Cycles Progesterone Normalizes Blood Clotting Progesterone Helps Normalize Breast Cell Tissues Progesterone Strengthens Endometrium Progesterone Supports Normal Ovarian Function Because the female body uses bioidentical progesterone to make optimal levels of the estrogens, a properly formulated biologically identical progesterone cream is the natural, safe choice for menstruating women and for menopausal women seeking to establish the correct balance of their two primary female hormones. This optimal balance of Progesterone and Estrogens will protect them from the effects of the condition knwon as “Estrogen Dominance”. Indeed, topical bioidentical progesterone is the safest and most effective way to correct deficient progesterone levels and balance the unwanted effects of too much estrogen.   Use of progesterone supplement therapy for prevention of preterm birth: review of literatures – Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2017 Sep; 60(5): 405–420. Published online 2017 Sep 18. doi: 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.5.405  

Serenity Organics Has New Look

[spb_row element_name=”Row” wrap_type=”standard-width” row_bg_type=”color” color_row_height=”content-height” bg_type=”cover” parallax_image_height=”content-height” parallax_image_movement=”fixed” parallax_image_speed=”standard” bg_video_loop=”yes” parallax_video_height=”window-height” row_top_style=”none” row_bottom_style=”none” parallax_video_overlay=”none” row_overlay_opacity=”0″ remove_element_spacing=”no” row_col_spacing=”0″ row_col_pos=”default” row_col_equal_heights=”no” row_expanding=”no” row_animation=”none” row_animation_delay=”0″ minimize_row=”no” simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] *How Much Progesterone is Too Much?  While a very few websites and some very misguided social media groups are recommending ultra-high doses of progesterone daily, there is No Scientific Basis for using this extreme amount (100-500 mg/daily) and, in fact, has proven to be harmful! Following, is a quote from a website selling a progesterone (Chinese) cream: For general use and to reverse mild symptoms 100-200mg/day progesterone is needed. If severe problems are experienced 400-500mg/day are needed. This is bad advice. The Key Principle Supplementing with a hormone is not the same as supplementing, for example, with Vitamin C, where at times, more is better.  This principle of “more is better” does NOT apply to hormone supplementation. Being seduced by this excessive quantity of progesterone daily (100-500 mg), is risky!  Why?  It does not parallel your body’s natural hormone cycles and will, in time, result in acute hormone imbalances and a desensitization of progesterone receptors, leading to acute “estrogen dominance” and all of the subsequent unpleasant symptoms, not the least of which, is an increased risk for female-specific cancers. It does, however, enrich the sales of the company making these unfounded claims! Rather than supplement with ultra-high doses of progesterone, in a desperate attempt to balance high levels of estrogens, reduce the influx of environmental estrogens & successfully manage stress, while paralleling your body’s normal progesterone production.  This is safely accomplished with an optimally formulated progesterone cream, (free of Chinese progesterone). This long-standing, common-sense approach to hormonal imbalances works in harmony with your natural biology.  And, it does so, safely! Safe Way to Balance Your Hormones: All the science and all the clinical experience of the past 48+ years, demonstrate that paralleling your body’s normal progesterone production, while avoiding environmental estrogens, & successfully managing stress, will allow you achieve the best of health, safely & naturally. [/spb_text_block] [/spb_row] [spb_row element_name=”Row” wrap_type=”standard-width” row_bg_type=”color” color_row_height=”content-height” bg_type=”cover” parallax_image_height=”content-height” parallax_image_movement=”fixed” parallax_image_speed=”standard” bg_video_loop=”yes” parallax_video_height=”window-height” row_top_style=”none” row_bottom_style=”none” parallax_video_overlay=”none” row_overlay_opacity=”0″ remove_element_spacing=”no” row_col_spacing=”0″ row_col_pos=”default” row_col_equal_heights=”no” row_expanding=”no” row_animation=”none” row_animation_delay=”0″ minimize_row=”no” simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_styling_global=”default” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ simplified_controls=”yes” custom_css_percentage=”no” padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”0″ margin_vertical=”0″ custom_css=”margin-top: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;” border_size=”0″ border_styling_global=”default” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] How Did We Get Here? In about 1997 or so, Madison Pharmacy in the US. made the mistake of recommending extremely high and unsafe levels of progesterone. Dr. John Lee, modern day pioneer of Safe Progesterone therapy and five times the selling author, wrote a letter and published it for all the world to see. He condemned their ill-advice and strongly stated they should stop recommending these harmful levels of progesterone. At that time, there were only a handful of progesterone cream companies and sadly, a few of them saw the opportunity to capitalize on these ultra high doses of progesterone and began recommending 400-500 mg of progesterone daily! If you do the math and calculate the cost of a jar of cream at $25, applying 400 mg/day would fool the customer into spending $75 every three days! A cycling woman who bought into this “business plan” would be spending $350 per month and overdosing herself with progesterone, all to the profit of an unscrupulous marketing entity. What about high doses of oral progesterone? To begin with, the liver will intercept 80 to 90% of all steroid hormones put into the stomach and convert them into a myriad of byproducts, some of which are harmful to your health. Doctors will prescribe 200 mg per day, hoping to give you a net dose of 20 mg per day. If you think oral progesterone is OK, I encourage you to look up the very undesirable list published by all the manufacturers of “cautions, warnings and side effects”, not the least of which is unnecessary damage to your liver. Correct Topical Dose vs. Excess Topical or Oral Dose When administered topically, at the proper physiological dose, one which is in harmony with your body’s natural circadian/hormonal rhythms, the liver is not at all affected and you also do not increase your risk for the following. Common Symptoms Caused by Excessive Doses of Progesterone (topical & oral): Headaches Dizziness Back or Joint Pain Increased Sweating Nervous Tremors Speech Disorders Mental Confusion (this explains the thinking of the ED/FB group) Interference of Serotonin Production, Leading to Insomnia & Depression Lowered Libido Water Retention Increased Androgens leading to Increased Estrogen (ED) Suppression of T and B Lymphocytes (your immune system), Making You More Susceptible to Viral Infections, in particular, Upper Respiratory Infections Dry, chapped, itchy skin Transient visual disturbances Hearing difficulties Runaway appetite Weight gain Unusual headaches Male pattern baldness Dry hair Frequency and urgency in urination Extreme thirst Gynecomastia and nipple soreness Lymph node congestion, especially at groin Armpit smell Lower extremity edema Liver ache Cough and weak lung Heart palpitations Initially, excessive levels of progesterone may ameliorate very unpleasant symptoms, leading you to believe, you have found that “magic bullet”! Hershey Bar, Anyone? However, this is just like having very low blood sugar, feeling cranky and then deciding to eat a Hershey bar. Yes it will raise your blood sugar immediately, but, in No Way is it Sustainable! Because these high doses are not working in harmony with your own body, they will down-regulate progesterone receptors, making them more resistant to your master hormone and encouraging you to keep on increasing the dose to even higher, unsafe levels! Unfortunately this process inhibits the production of pregnenolone crippling your body from making DHEA, testosterone and estrogen. While we really appreciate the devotion medical doctors have for the health of their patients, it is regrettable that their primary training for decades has been “fear-based medicine”, typically diagnosing and treating symptoms with harsh drugs recommended by the big Pharma.With that said, it is very encouraging to see that so many doctors are seeking safe,