Riley Perry Lloyd, M.D.
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      • Progesterone
      • Estrogen
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  • Home
  • Meet The Doctor
    • Advanced Training
    • Awards
    • In The News
    • Learn More
  • Hormone Therapy
    • Bio-identical Hormone Therapy
    • Women & BHRT >
      • Progesterone
      • Estrogen
    • Men & BHRT
    • Method & Choice
    • FAQs
  • Forms
  • Contact

Women & BHRT: Progesterone

What is Progesterone?
  • Oldest known sex hormone. 
  • Present in every human regardless of age. 
  • Produced by the ovaries and adrenal gland. 
  • Secreted by corpus luteum. 
  • Has receptors in nearly every cell in the body. 
  • Acts on uterus, kidneys, brain, smooth muscle, breasts, bones, and cellular membranes. 
  • Metabolized to other active hormones.
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What are some of the functions and roles of progesterone in the body?
  • Counteracts estrogen's tendency to induce excess growth in the endometrial lining of the uterus. 
  • Builds new bone tissue, leading to increased bone mass and density. 
  • Necessary for maintenance of pregnancy.
    • Decreases uterine contractions. 
    • Prepares and maintains uterine lining for implantation of fertilized egg
  • Prepares breasts for lactation.
  • Assists in raising HDL-cholesterol levels (if combined with estrogen therapy) and ultimately reduces risk of heart disease.
    • Synthetic progesterone (progestin) has an overall negative effect on HDL-cholesterol levels because it vasocontricts.

​What is the difference between "progestin" and "progesterone?"
The main difference is in the derivative. Progestin’s are synthetic (i.e. man-made) molecules developed to act like natural progesterone.  Natural progesterone is a molecule that is plant derived and is bio-identical to the hormone produced in our bodies.  Progestin’s do not have as broad a spectrum of activity as natural progesterone, and have a wide range of side effects.  Whereas progesterone may cause some mild to moderate drowsiness, progestin’s can cause: 
  • breast tenderness 
  • acne 
  • depression 
  • vision changes 
  • bloating 
  • migraine headaches 
  • thrombosis 
  • decreased glucose tolerance 
  • gastric regurgitation

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​Carmel, IN 46032