Natural Progesterone for PMS

Dioscorea villosa

Natural progesterone is made by synthesizing plants such as wild yams and soybeans into progesterone. As a result, some manufacturers market wild yam cream as a form of natural progesterone as well. However, wild yam cream does not contain any natural progesterone. The human body cannot make progesterone out of wild yams; wild yams can only be made into progesterone in a laboratory. Nevertheless, many women find wild yam creams labeled as "natural progesterone" to be effective in relieving their premenstrual syndrome symptoms. The reason for this is that wild yam, itself, is an effective remedy for many common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Wild yam is an anti-inflammatory, so it relieves headaches, and it is an antispasmodic, so it relieves cramps. But wild yam, unlike real progesterone, should not have any effect on your body's hormone levels.

Natural progesterone creams that have been synthesized in a laboratory are somewhat controversial in their own right. Clinical trials of natural progesterone have had conflicting results, and some scientists have criticized their methodology, because these trials often rely on subjective reports of symptoms. However, many doctors and patients feel strongly that natural progesterone is helpful in relieving the symptoms of PMS. Progesterone is the most widely prescribed medicine for PMS.

Natural progesterone remedy for PMS

Method

• If you are using a cream, rub it into the skin of your abdomen, chest, inner arms, and thighs, daily after ovulation.
• If you are using sublingual (under the tongue) drops, start taking progesterone at day 15 of your menstrual cycle, or three days before you normally begin to have symptoms. Take 4-8 drops in the evening and 2-6 drops in the morning, adjusting the dosage to your symptoms. Stop at day 28 or when your period starts, unless symptoms continue. In that case, continue to take progesterone, but at half the level that you were taking previously.
• Progesterone may be taken in capsule form. Use as directed.
• Progesterone can also be taken as a vaginal suppository, once a day.

Why It Works

Doctors think that premenstrual syndrome is caused, in part, when post-ovulatory progesterone levels are too low. Taking natural progesterone is believed to increase the levels of progesterone in the body.

Precautions

Progesterone is a hormone, so it should not be taken by anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition. You should not take it, except under a doctor's direction, if you think you might be pregnant. Women with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breast, ovaries, or uterus should not take progesterone. Also, some progesterone capsules contain peanut oil – use caution and check with the manufacturer if you are allergic to peanuts.

More Remedies

• Click here for all PMS remedies