The Dangers of Progestins

Posted by on 31 Oct 2010 | Tagged as: Menopause, progesterone



There seems to be a lot of confusion these days about Progestins and Progesterone. One can hardly be blamed when the confusion is created by the news media health writers who they themselves are confused about progestins and progesterone. You need to differentiate between the two. Progestins are synthetic hormones which many doctors will prescribe to their patients to use as birth control or as a solution for menopause symptoms. Why? Because doctors, unless specially trained, are prescribing progestins and not aware of natural bioidentical progesterone.

Progestins are manufactured by the large pharmaceutical companies and are marketed under the names of Provera and Prempro. Progesterone is not a generic name but is a naturally occurring hormone made by the body by the corpus luteum after ovulation. Progesteron is created in the placenta in large amounts during pregnancy. It is not marketed by the big pharmaceutical companies because it is a natural hormone, can’t be patented and you can’t be charged a huge price for it. In other words, they can’t make money from it.

Common side effects of progestin use range from irritating to dangerously harmful. Progestin use can cause such side effects as bloating, water retention, depression, weight gain, painful breasts, dry skin, fatigue, rashes, dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, constipation, diarrhea, constipation and anxiety. The more dangerous side effects cause heart attacks, stroke and breast cancer.

To manage the symptoms of menopause successfully, especially if you are experiencing severe menopause symptoms, you need to find a specialist, an anti aging doctor – one who is knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with menopause. If this doctor is able to prescribe bioidentical hormones, then you are on your way to managing and eliminating menopause problems.

If you doctor prescribes you an anti depressant and Provera – it’s best you start looking for another doctor.

So when you read in the press that hormone replacement therapy causes serious health consequences, you should know that they are speaking about synthetic hormone replacement therapy and not bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Health writers are speaking about progestins such a Provera and not progesterone. They should check their facts. The Womens Health Initiative in 2002 was a study which proved that synthetic hormones caused as increase in the risk factor for heart attacks, stroke and breast cancer. These are the facts about hormone replacement therapy and should not be used to confuse women. You can manage and do away with menopause symptoms with the use of natural bioidentical hormones such as bi-est, tri-est, and natural progesterone used in a cyclical or biomimetic manner. Add to the mix: testosterone and DHEA if you require supplementation. Don’t let the press and media fool you. Find a bioidentical doctor who knows about treating menopause with natural hormones made from plant sources.

Somatopause and Human Growth Hormone

Posted by on 12 Apr 2010 | Tagged as: Andropause, Bioidentical Hormones, Growth Hormone, Menopause, Somatopause



Human Growth Hormone (HGH) or Growth Hormone (GH) levels – is a hormone like progesterone, estrogen and testosterone hormones that decreases as we age.  From the early thirties, growth hormone levels begin to decline in our adult life.

Growth hormone, a very important hormone in the body, is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain and is responsible for growth – and is at its highest levels in puberty when the individuals experience growth spurts because it responsible for increasing height.  Human Growth Hormone not only is responsible for growth but it also maintains tissues and body organs.  Loss of GH will result in the problems associated with aging such as loss of muscle mass, loss of strength, depression, diabetes, etc.

The decline of growth hormone (GH) is known as Somatopause, like menopause for women and andropause for men.  Loss of GH is common in both men and women, occurring at the same rate in each gender.  Declining GH levels gives way to a reduction of IGF-1,  which causes an increase in fat around the waistline, and increase in waist to hip ratio (which increases the risk for heart attack), an increase in LDL cholesterol, decrease in libido, moods, energy levels, strength, muscle mass decline and cognitive abililty.

GH therapy has many health benefits, chiefly the reverse of aging in both men and women.  Its promises include reversing aging, boosting metabolism, and increasing muscle mass.  Human growth hormone stimulates cell production and growth in people.

Supplementing with HGH for anti aging purposes is very controversial and expensive at the current time.  The reason for this is that athletes are notorious for abusing it and using excessive amounts.  It is used by prescription, legitimately, for people with HIV Aids to counteract muscle wasting.  There are different supplementation options available which include HGH injections which are synthetic, available only by prescription and can cause unwanted side effects. There are also HGH sprays but their efficacy has not been proven and there are natural supplements which can increase your levels of GH.

The following natural supplements which increase acetylcholine also help GH because the production of growth hormone is stimulated by acetylcholine improvement.  You should also be taking vitamin B, B6 and C, calcium, potassium and zinc, comibined with the following.  As well as supplementation, you should be reducing your stress levels, maintaining a healthy diet and improving your quality of sleep.

Supplements for stimulating growth hormone (GH):

  • Arginine – 2,000 to 3,000 per day
  • Glutamine – 2,000 mg per day
  • Ornithine – 2,000 – 6,000 mg per day
  • Lysine – 1,200 mg per day
  • Glycine – 1,000 mg per day
  • Tyrosine – 1,000 mg per day

You can also buy HGH homeopathic drops from your naturopath or compounding pharmacy.

Growth hormone can help increase bone density and muscle mass, decrease body fat and increase an individual’s capacity to exercise.  Body fat is reduced in both men and women by 14 – 18%.

Other benefits of GH include:

  • Reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol)
  • Reduction in total cholesterol
  • Reduction in heart attack risk
  • Improves sleep
  • Improves energy levels
  • Increases bone density
  • Thickens the skin, thereby reducing wrinkles

For more information, check with your bioidentical doctor, endocrinologist or naturopath for your HGH level testing to determine if you are in somatopause and the kind of supplementation and dosages which are right for you to treat low growth hormone (GH) levels .