Does progesterone help reduce or get rid of Fibroids?

Yes progesterone will help if they are not left too long and the correct treatment is applied. The bigger they are the longer it will take. Fibroids are benign, usually painless, tumours found in the uterus, made of muscle and connective tissue. They are caused by oxidative stress. Starting as microscopic bodies, they can grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger, sometimes filling the entire uterus. Pregnancy reduces the risk of new ones forming. The high level of progesterone in pregnancy is the probable reason pregnancy is protective.

Progesterone does help reduce fibroid growth by inhibiting both the hormone estrogen and the enzyme metalloproteinase. Estrogen stimulates the lining of the uterus to build up, it also stimulates the growth of the fibroids. However, with the low level of progesterone which accompanies fibroids, the estrogen, which is not being inhibited, continues to build up in the lining of the uterus.

Fibroids, like Endometriosis and PCOS are all caused by oxidative stress and an amino acid called N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) produces excellent results. Cysteine is a very powerful anti-oxidant which helps to chelate heavy metals. It is excellent for hair, skin and nails and so much more. Vitamin D3 is also a powerful anti-oxidant, it also helps to shrink fibroids. See references.  Inflammation needs to be addressed.

An enzyme in the body called metalloproteinase is designed to break down any protein. In the uterus it manifests when progesterone levels drop at the end of the cycle and breaks down the lining of the uterus, hence the monthly periods that we have. Progesterone inhibits this enzyme too, but with a permanently low progesterone level, there is nothing to inhibit it. This ensures the lining continues to break down, but at the same time it is being built up by estrogen, so a vicious cycle is started. Very heavy bleeding, clots, very long periods, with a short break in between are the hallmark of fibroids.

To break this cycle progesterone should be used initially in high doses, about 200mg per day - possibly more. It does take time of course, as the fibroid/s has taken time to grow. Some women experience estrogen dominance symptoms when they first start to use progesterone. As a matter of interest men also experience these symptoms apart from the usual females one.

All the studies done on progesterone showing successful results used between 200mg to 500mg per day or 6ml to 12ml of Natpro Progesterone Cream per day. Some go as high as 600mg per day depending on how severe they are. The cream is best applied twice a day, to keep levels up. It is best to use the cream every day with no breaks until the situation improves, then you can start to follow your cycle. If you feel that you are stable enough to reduce the cream, PLEASE do this slowly, to do this please read First Times Users and How to use NATPRO Progesterone Cream. If you reduce too quickly too soon your symptoms will return.

15 to 20% of reproductive women develop fibroids. But they occur most frequently in women from the mid thirties on, affecting 30 to 40%. This is a time when estrogen levels are high but progesterone levels are declining. They often cause heavy, irregular, sometimes painful periods. It is known that after menopause with the drop in the estrogen level, they disappear.

Supplemental progesterone is often affective at reducing fibroids. If not too large, they are gradually absorbed back into the body, taking from three to twelve months to do so.

Progesterone therapy often helps to prevent the heavy bleeding and pain if present. Current medical treatment is a hysterectomy, uterine artery embolisation (UAE) or laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) to remove them, or anti-inflammatory drugs for the pain and oral contraceptives to control the heavy bleeding. However, by using progesterone this can be avoided and helps greatly in reducing them.

Having fibroids removed is not going to solve much, the oxidative stress needs to be addressed by taking anti-oxidants.

Some Fibroid symptoms:

• fullness or pressure in the abdomen
• pain with periods
• gas
• frequent urination
• heavy bleeding, often with clots

Avoid: All forms of estrogens, as this may stimulate fibroid growth; sugar and artificial sweeteners, all forms of processed foods containing sugar; refined grains, particularly wheat; carbonated drinks, including the 'diet' drinks; fruit juices; biscuits; cakes; white breads; canned foods; sauces; sweets; large meals; oxidised fats, (ie margarine, refined oils, saturated fats and fried foods, in particular fried animal protein); pasteurised, homogenised milk; stimulants such as alcohol, coffee, black tea.

Another very important thing is VITAMIN D3. A deficiency causes so many health issues and together with progesterone can improve our quality of life greatly. Do take the time to read the page on Vitamin D and view the videos. Vitamin D helps to shrink fibroids. Please have your vitamin D level tested.