Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary
Leading the change to better periods
Body identical hormone therapy includes an estradiol patch and oral micronised progesterone. Hormones that are exactly identical to the body’s own hormones.
Progesterone has beneficial anti-androgen properties and can help to promote ovulation. That makes progesterone potentially therapeutic for polycystic ovary syndrome, as described in my recent paper The central role of ovulatory disturbances in the etiology of androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—Evidence for treatment with cyclic progesterone.
Progesterone is beneficial because it lightens periods. It also reduces inflammation, regulates immune function, and supports healthy thyroid, brain, bones, and breasts.
Do you make enough progesterone? Are you sure?
The only way to make progesterone is with ovulation and a healthy luteal phase.
According to a new Lancet review paper, menstrual migraines are more severe than migraines at other times of the cycle.
The authors of the paper explain that menstrual migraines are caused by estrogen withdrawal at the end of the cycle together with an estrogen-dependent release of prostaglandins and histamine. They propose progesterone as a possible prevention strategy.
Progesterone is usually soothing to mood but can sometimes cause anxiety. A negative mood reaction to progesterone is called neurosteroid change sensitivity or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and affects about one in twenty women.
Here’s everything you need to know about progesterone and mood.