Many hormone therapies marketed as progesterone actually contain progestins, which are synthetic analogs of natural progesterone. These synthetic hormones are far more potent than the body’s own progesterone and can lead to toxic side effects. One key issue is that progestins are metabolized into harmful by-products, which can interfere with natural hormone function, exacerbating hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance. This disruption has been linked to a range of health issues, including weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and an increased risk of cancers and cardiovascular disease.
The Toxic Effects of Progestins and Hormone Imbalance
Progestins can disrupt the body’s natural production of progesterone, leading to further hormone imbalance. This imbalance can affect overall health, including increasing risks of blood clots, heart disease, and liver toxicity. In contrast, natural progesterone is identical to the hormone produced by the body and is derived from wild yams in a lab, ensuring that it supports the body's natural hormone regulation rather than disrupting it.
SHBG and the Impact of Synthetic Hormones
In the bloodstream, hormones are either tightly bound to proteins or unbound (free). Only unbound, free hormones are biologically active and able to interact with the body’s cells. When hormones like estradiol and testosterone are bound to proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), they become inactive. SHBG is produced by the liver, and its production is influenced by hormone levels. When synthetic hormone pills are taken, the liver detects elevated hormone levels and increases SHBG production, which binds the active hormones, rendering them inactive and limiting their effectiveness. This can also make blood tests inaccurate for measuring true hormone levels.
Oral Progesterone
Many people ask whether they should use oral progesterone or cream. The definitive answer is the cream. When you take oral progesterone, it goes straight to the liver where it is converted into allopregnanolone - a derivative of progesterone. It is recognized on a lab test as progesterone, but is not able to attach to progesterone receptor sites. It causes drowsiness, which is why they recommend taking it at night. The cream, however, enters your bloodstream and bypasses the liver which explains why it is much more effective than oral progesterone.
Benefits of Transdermal Hormone Therapy and Bioidentical Hormones
One major benefit of transdermal hormone application—such as creams, patches, or gels applied to the skin—is that it bypasses the liver. This avoids triggering increased SHBG production and maintains the bioavailability of hormones. Additionally, transdermal methods do not raise triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of heart disease—a common concern with oral hormone therapies.
The most effective hormone therapy involves bioidentical hormones, which are exact replicas of the hormones naturally produced by your body. Unlike synthetic progestins, bioidentical hormones are manufactured from plant sources in laboratories and are designed to work seamlessly with your body, promoting better hormonal balance and minimizing risks.
The Role of Pregnenolone in Aging and Health
As people age, levels of important hormones like pregnenolone decline. Pregnenolone is a precursor to various other hormones, including progesterone, and plays a crucial role in brain function, memory, and maintaining bone density. Ensuring healthy levels of pregnenolone and natural progesterone is key to maintaining hormonal balance and overall health during the aging process.
Understanding the toxic effects of progestins, the role of SHBG in hormone regulation, and the benefits of bioidentical hormones can help you make informed decisions about your hormone therapy options. Transdermal and bioidentical hormone therapies offer a safer, more natural approach to restoring balance without the risks associated with synthetic hormones.
Dr. Platt has written 3 books which have been awarded 5 literary awards. His Platt Protocol for physicians, “The Miracle of Bioidentical Hormones” and “The Adrenaline Dominance - A Revolutionary Approach to Wellness”
Dr. Platt’s legacy continues, even though he has retired from the day-to-day of the business. He serves on the board of directors of Platt Wellness & Metabolic Solutions to offer his skilled advice to help “d-myth” the facts of HRT.