What’s the TL;DR?
Progesterone creams are commonly used in NBE regimens. They are sold over-the-counter in most, if not all, countries. Progesterone is useful in persons who do not produce enough progesterone naturally. Progesterone purchased in retail stores is bioidentical to endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone.
Dosage and timing
Progesterone dosage varies by individual. It is important to keep it balanced with estrogen, however the amount needed to achieve that balance will need experimentation. Generally, if you are progesterone deficient, you will need more than someone who is not.
For individuals who do not want to disrupt their menstrual cycle, progesterone needs to be dosed only during the luteal phase. Some individuals will need to only use progesterone during the progesterone spike or risk delaying their menses. Generally, using progesterone will inevitably delay menses for the first 1–2 cycles, so do not be alarmed and continue to use it from ovulation until menses until you learn more about how your body reacts.
Further details
Many people assume that over-the-counter progesterone creams are fundamentally different from prescription progesterone, but this is a misconception. Both types of progesterone are often derived from wild yam, which contains a compound called diosgenin.
Diosgenin in wild yam
Diosgenin has sometimes been misunderstood as having estrogenic effects, and research has shown that it lacks progestogenic activity. Importantly, the human body cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone or any other hormone. This transformation can only occur in a laboratory setting through a chemical process known as “Marker degradation.” This process was instrumental in the development of the first hormonal contraceptives, as it allows diosgenin to be chemically modified into bio-identical hormones like progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and others.
The confusion likely arises because diosgenin is the raw material used to synthesize bioidentical hormones in pharmaceutical and OTC products. However, any hormonal activity of OTC progesterone cream comes from the added, lab-synthesized progesterone, not the diosgenin itself.
Prescription progesterone
One thing to remember is that prescription progesterone is medicinal and regulated by institutions. Whereas, OTC progesterone is considered a supplement and likely does not have the same regulations in place. When we buy OTC progesterone cream, we cannot be sure of its quality and purity. Otherwise, they are the exact same substance and the exact same potency.
Available studies
While many sources claim that diosgenin can be estrogenic, one study specifically found that it is not,1 and other studies found that it did not help with menopausal symptoms.2 One reason why wild yam is likely popular for breast growth is likely due to a study that found mammary growth in mice without ovaries.3
Products to consider
$44 7500mg Progesterone – BHRT Naturals
$39 1800mg Progesterone + Vit D3 – Emerita
$15 1300mg Progesterone – Protocol for life balance
