Six Health Problems That  Progesterone Can Help With

Yes, progesterone is a sex hormone, but scientists are realizing it affects so much more than the reproductive system. Researchers are now looking at whether it can treat disorders ranging from brain conditions to common issues like miscarriage and weak bones. Let's explore some of the groundbreaking research pointing to other uses of progesterone in both women and men.

1. Progesterone Reduces Damage in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects mostly women of reproductive age. This observation has led researchers to consider hormonal factors, including progesterone levels, as they look for the causes of MS.

Progesterone is essential to maintain and repair the myelin sheath, the protective covering of brain and spinal cord cells that breaks down in MS. Studies suggest the balance between estrogen and progesterone can influence the amount of damage to these cells in MS patients. High estrogen levels may increase inflammation and myelin breakdown by activating certain cells in the immune system.

2. Progesterone Protects against Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is also more common in women, which has led to investigations of how progesterone might help. Progesterone protects brain cells by fighting inflammation and oxidation and regulating cell death, and it helps them recover after injury. With these abilities, it could make a difference in Alzheimer's treatment.

Another strength of progesterone is that it works against the effects of estrogen. Researchers are interested in this quality since men with Alzheimer's have high estrogen levels. Progesterone might balance chemical processes in the brain that are related to Alzheimer’s disease and hormone levels.

3. Progesterone Prevents Miscarriage and Infertility

Progesterone is crucial for keeping women and their unborn babies healthy. For women who have had multiple miscarriages, a progesterone supplement could be a beacon of hope.

Research from Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research in the UK shows that giving it to women with a history of miscarriages boosts their chances of a successful pregnancy. It could be prescribed to help women get and stay pregnant.

4. Progesterone Fights Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a condition of fragile bones, is another area where progesterone is making waves. Recent studies have shown that regular progesterone treatment can not only halt but maybe even reverse bone density loss.

This suggests progesterone could be an effective treatment for osteoporosis all on its own. It may be an option beyond the usual treatments with hormone replacement therapy.

5. Progesterone Helps Manage Blood Clotting Disorders

Progesterone’s role extends to managing blood clotting disorders. It’s a natural anticoagulant that prevents blood clots from forming by blocking clotting factors and helping the body dissolve blood clots naturally. This ability is extra valuable for people at risk of serious health problems like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in a vein or in a lung).

6. Progesterone Calms Epilepsy

Progesterone has calming effects on brain cells, which may prove helpful for treating epilepsy. It can control neurotransmitter activity and keep brain cells from getting too excited, which are key factors in how seizures start. Clinical trials are looking at how progesterone might lower the number of seizures a person has and make them less severe, especially in patients who don’t get much benefit from standard treatments.

Who knew progesterone could play a role in so many areas besides reproductive health? As science uncovers more information about this protective hormone, we’ll likely see it’s a bigger player in our well-being than we thought possible. It could be a key to treating health problems that affect millions of people.

To find out how progesterone could benefit you, reach out to us at Moment Health. We provide individual guidance and several forms of progesterone supplements to meet your health needs.