Progesterone and Men

Progesterone is typically thought of as a female hormone; however, it can also be an invaluable tool in hormone modulation in men. Progesterone is manufactured in men by the adrenal glands and testes. Just as estrogen dominance can severely affect the quality of life for women, excess estrogen can be equally detrimental to men. Elevated estrogen in men has been linked to gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men), decreased sexual function, weight gain, and prostate enlargement, depression, premature aging and a poor quality of life.

The late Dr. John Lee, considered a pioneer in natural progesterone therapy, believed that excessive exposure to estrogen was a primary cause of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. In addition to counterbalancing the negative aspects of estrogen, progesterone may also inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Thyroid

Thyroid hormones set metabolic activity and are responsible for the speed at which every enzyme action in the body takes place.

Thyroid function becomes unbalanced with excessive estrogen. Adequate progesterone levels can prevent this. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (low functioning) systems are very common with unbalanced hormones. Hypothyroidism systems include sluggishness, early morning fatigue, cold extremities, lowered basal temperature and menstrual problems.

Low progesterone is often misdiagnosed as a thyroid deficiency. The thyroid hormone is basic to all biological functions and sometimes both thyroid and progesterone supplements are needed to promote the action of the other.

Without adequate thyroid hormones, we become sluggish, clumsy, cold, anemic, and subject to infections, heart disease, headaches, cancer, and many other diseases and also seem to be prematurely aging. Foods are not assimilated well so even an adequate diet does not solve the problem.

Irregular periods, often leading to needless hysterectomies are common aspects of hypothyroidism and breast disease. Too little thyroid production may cause increased prolactin levels and persistent estrogen stimulation.

Estrogen inhibits the release of the thyroid hormone from the gland, whereas an adequate amount of thyroid hormone raises natural progesterone production and lowers estrogen. This makes it easy to see how the thyroid hormone and progesterone can complement each other.

Adrenal Glands

Adrenal disorders are probably the most common functional disorders found today. Many individuals suffer from an impaired ability of the adrenal glands to mount a response to stress. This condition stems from various factors including chronic stress (e.g. marital, financial, job stress) sleep deprivation, excess caffeine and carbohydrates, chronic pain, extreme exercise, a poor diet that generally places tremendous stress on the body.

Adrenal and other hormonal gland dysfunction cause symptoms that include cravings for sweets, weight gain, allergies, heart palpitations, insomnia, depression, fatigue, poor memory, foggy thinking, headaches, nervousness, inability to concentrate, recurrent infections and glucose intolerance. A very damaging adrenal dysfunction is excessive cortisol production. Excessive cortisol production causes an increased calcium mobilization from the bones, leading to osteoporosis, or loss of bone density. Adrenal burnout or adrenal fatigue manifests with a constellation of symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue to infertility.

Hormonal imbalances compromise not only physical health, but also psychological health, which can cause problems ranging from depression to panic disorder.

The adrenals are usually first in the order of endocrine function breakdown, followed by the insulin producing portion of the pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, parathyroid, pineal, pituitary and finally the link to the autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamus. The Hypothalamus produces immune defense cells. Each of these glands controls specific functions, and as each breaks down new symptoms appear.

Are you suffering from any of the above conditions? Take our free Nutritional Assessment Test for your complete profile.

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