Progesterone: The forgotten male hormone

Came across something in my studies that I found intriguing and might help quite a few people having Low T/ED issues or people who have symptoms of estrogen dominance/excess estrogen even if its within normal ranges(thanks to xenoestrogens all around us).

Apparently Progesterone has been found to be very important to males to the point some consider it a secondary male sex hormone to Testosterone. It acts as a counterbalance to estrogen by acting as an antagonist to it via multiple mechanisms, and has been found to have a synergistic effect with Testosterone in regards to muscle building/fat loss.

It is also the most potent known inhibitor of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which converts T into DHT which can lead to male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement. This inhibition leads to increased T levels in the body.

In fact, some doctors are using Progesterone as a natural form of TRT, and it has shown to be quite effective at raising T levels by itself, in some cases from mid 100's to 600 or 700 with no other treatment.

Here is a summary of the Pro's of Progesterone I have found:

-Has a synergistic effect on Testosterone that enhances its muscle building effects, to the point some consider it a secondary male sex hormone

-Most potent known inhibitor of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme(DHT) via its metabolite 17-0H-progesterone. By blocking this enzyme it promotes higher T levels in the body while reducing male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement issues. Used in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men via a transscrotal delivery system.

-Antagonizes Estrogen via several mechanisms. It competes for the receptor with estrogen and regulates cell metabolism to promote the oxidative pathway preventing the conversion of the weaker Estrone into the stronger Estradiol.

-Increases the body's use of fat stores for energy

-Increases Libido

-Corrects ED via the same pathway as Viagara, enhancing NO production. A progesterone/testosterone cream was able to help correct the hormonal imbalance commonly found in men with erectile dysfunction

-Helps to normalize blood sugar levels

-Helps to normalize thyroid function

-Stimulates new bone formation

-Improves brain function and has anti-depressant properties

-Acts as a natural diuretic in opposition to estrogen's tendency to hold in water.

-Improves skin problems such as acne, rosacea, seborrhea and PSORIASIS

-Effective as a gyno treatment

-Diminishes muscle and joint aches and pains and has anti-inflammatory properties via activation of the p53 gene and increase in natural anti-inflammatory compounds IL-10 and TH-2 cytokines which suppress the pro inflammatory TH-1 cytokines. Also reduces the Natural Killer(NK) cells and other markers of inflammation in the body. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP) play a key role in inflammation--estrogen maintains secretion of these proteins while progesterone inhibits them. Reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and their protein products.

-Prevents lipid peroxidation and confers vascular protection. It has an anti-atherogenic action by preventing the conversion of cholesterol into cholesteryl ester.

-Prevents vasoconstriction by increasing levels of nitric oxide (NO), which causes vasodilation allowing blood vessels to relax, and so widens them allowing more blood to flow through and it inhibits platelet aggregation.

-Helps with both depression and insomnia as it raises serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is our 'happy' neurotransmitter, it is also the precursor to melatonin (the 'sleep' hormone).

-Has a calming effect by activating the GABA receptor sites via its metabolite Allopreganolone. GABA is our most calming, inhibitory neurotransmitter and effective against some forms of epilepsy.

-Stimulates leptin secretion

-Acts indirectly to increase aldosterone by mechanisms similar to sodium restriction

-Promotes regeneration and myelination of axons

-Has a neuroprotective and antioxidant effect in injured nervous system

-Has multiple effects on glial cells

-The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone reduces the brain's response to stress

-Directly upregulates Vitamin D Hormone gene receptors and some studies indicate it increases Vitamin D efficiency by 3 times normal even with no increase in Vitamin D intake.

-Inhibits prolactin release

Also, even if estrogen levels are within normal male ranges, a person can still have symptoms of estrogen dominance if their levels of progesterone are not high enough. Low estrogen and low progesterone = estrogen dominance and similar symptoms to excess estrogen.

Here are several studies and articles regarding progesterone and its importance in men.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15669543
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25548222
http://chestsculpting.com/progesterone-for-men-the-missing-link-in-man-boob-reduction/
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/progesterone-and-vitamin-D.html#axzz3Y0RehYM3
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/progesterone-for-men.html#axzz3Y0RehYM3

Best part is, progesterone is very cheap, readily available in a cream and has virtually no sides. Make sure you get a cream free from Parabens and one that has between 400 to 500 mg of Progesterone per ounce.

Interesting, and very possible HRT replacement as progesterone serves as the precursor to testosterone and DHEA. Just minimizing DHT conversion puts its overall HRT benefits ahead of T.

Only downside is progesterone is also a precursor to cortisol; would like to see studies on progesterone augmentation effects on overall cortisol count.

Im not familiar with this compound but it seems after some further research I'll try it, its on cream form only or there are pills too?

Needs to be cycled and requires pct?

Cream is preferred as it does not absorb well orally.

"Use a natural progesterone skin cream, not drops or pills. Progesterone is poorly absorbed when taken orally, being broken down by the liver and gut and excreted instead of being bio-available for use in the body. 95% of progesterone taken orally as tablets or drops is lost. (23) Progesterone is well absorbed transdermally (through the skin), and using it as a cream on the skin is the most effective method to take it."

I have not heard of the need to be cycled

"How to supplement with natural progesterone cream for men

**Men should use 10-100mg per day. This is suitable to treat symptoms of low progesterone, symptoms of low testosterone, or more commonly, symptoms of estrogen dominance caused by xenoestrogens. Vary the dose depending on the severity of the symptoms. The amount of progesterone to use is not dependent on your weight, size, height or age, but on your symptoms.

**If you are treating symptoms of estrogen dominance caused by xenoestrogens, remember to start with a sufficiently high dose, and persevere if the symptoms of estrogen dominance appear or get worse during the first few days.

**Maintenance dose. After your symptoms of estrogen overload have passed the amount of progesterone cream you use should be reduced very slowly over at least a few weeks. After a few months you will find the optimum dose that prevents your adverse symptoms returning and on which you feel good. Your maintenance will depend on your particular situation, symptoms, and level of xenoestrogen build-up."

http://www.growyouthful.com/remedy/progesterone.php#how-to-supplement-natural-progesterone-men


And you want to talk about giving you rock hard erections and enabling you to go forever?? Forget viagra, this stuff works pretty damn good...