Progest Zen™
Progest Zen™ is a bioidentical progesterone cream available in 2% and 10% strengths. The progesterone is derived from Wild Yam, and contains Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E which helps with application and absorption.
Progest Zen™ contains Bioidentical Progesterone USP and is derived from Mexican Wild Yam. It is formulated from a substance called diosgenin in the wild yam and chemically synthesized in a lab to make progesterone that is chemically identical to the progesterone your body makes.
The ingredients in Progest Zen are:
Water/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Gel, Persea Gratissma (Avocado) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) Extract, USP Progesterone (derived from Wild Yam), Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Silymarin Marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Stearic Acid (Vegetable Oil), Chamomile Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Oil, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Vitus Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Vitamin A Palmitate.
Biodentical Progesterone cream is very safe. For example, bioidentical progesterone is the type of progesterone that fertility clinics use because it is natural, identical, hormone balancing and fertility promoting. The safety warnings regarding progesterone are related to synthetic progestins which unfortunately are commonly confused with bioidentical natural progesterone.
Progesterone is a hormone made primarily in the ovaries in women and the testes in men.
During ovulation around the 14th day of the female cycle, the corpus luteum of the ovary produces the steroid hormone Progesterone, the adrenal glands produce progesterone in smaller amounts.
Progesterone is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, cortisol, androstenedione, estrogens, and testosterone. Normal levels of progesterone produced by the ovaries are critical for fertility and hormone balance.
When it comes to fertility progesterone stimulates the uterus to prepare the way for a baby during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It is critical for building up the walls to support a fertilized egg to grow into a child. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop again, signaling menstruation to begin.
In the 10-15yrs prior to menopause many women have anovulatory cycles where the body is producing enough estrogen to menstruate, but they are not making enough or any progesterone. This creates an estrogen dominant cycle. Using Bioidentical progesterone cream at this time can help prevent estrogen dominance and its undesirable symptoms.
Progesterone levels can also be compromised when stress is present as stress increases cortisol production which essentially steals progesterone. Using additional bioidentical progesterone can help during these times to help maintain balance.
Synthetic progestin is similar but not the same as the progesterone the body produces. Synthetic progestins can have serious negative side effects that bioidentical progesterone does not have.
Bioidentical progesterone promotes fertility, prevents miscarriage and is completely safe for the fetus during pregnancy, in contrast synthetic progestins are never used in situations where the goal is fertility because they do not promote fertility and can even cause serious birth defects.
Bioidentical progesterone does not carry any of the dangers and negative side effects that are seen with synthetic progestins.
No. Although wild yam contains diosgenin which can be made into progesterone in a lab, this does not translate to the human body where it is impossible to convert.
Estrogen
Estrogen is an important sex hormone produced in our adrenal glands, and in the ovaries of women and the testes of men. It is a hormone critical to puberty, fertility, and overall good health, but when the body has too much estrogen, known as estrogen dominance, health issues arise.
When estrogen is out of normal and healthy balance in relation to progesterone it is referred to as estrogen dominance, usually because there is excess estrogen or inadequate progesterone.
There is a correct ratio of estrogen to progesterone that is healthy, and progesterone should always be the dominant hormone in that equation. When estrogen is dominant it can become dangerous causing numerous undesirable symptoms such as, PMS, mood swings, bloating, weight gain, irritability, headaches, fatigue, painful breasts, depression, infertility, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS and estrogen dominance is even known to cause or contribute to all the reproductive cancers.
- Breast tenderness / fullness
- Decreased sex drive
- Weight gain in the hips/thigh/bottom
- Menstrual changes, irregularity, heavy flow, cramps/mood changes/migraines
- Hair changes, loss, brittle, thinning or color loss
- Fertility issues, difficulty getting pregnant and risk of miscarriage with low progesterone
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety and feeling off
- Water retention
- Fatigue
- Insomnia and poor-quality sleep
- Weight gain regardless of good diet
- Low thyroid function
Yes, as men age progesterone and thus testosterone levels drop. When combined with diet, stress, and the many xenoestrogens in the environment, it is increasingly common for men to suffer from too much estrogen.
Some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance in men are: infertility, sexual dysfunction (ED), breast development (Gynecomastia), and depression. Estrogen dominance in men is also associated with an increased risk of stock and cancer.
Using progesterone
A normal cycle length varies from 21 days to 35 days, 28 days being considered the average. If you have an atypical cycle length you will need to adjust your progesterone treatment accordingly.
Progesterone needs to be used approximately 14 days prior to bleeding. This means if you have a 21day cycle then you need to start your progesterone application on day 7 of your cycle, this will support your 14 day luteal cycle. If you have a 35 day cycle, you need to start your progesterone on day 21 to support your 14 day luteal phase. Starting progesterone too early prior to ovulating can suppress the release of an egg.
The goal is to use progesterone from ovulation for the last 12-14 days of your cycle to best mimic your natural cycle and achieving maximum benefit from your progesterone treatment.
If you are hoping to fall pregnant, it can be started during the 50 hour surge which occurs prior to ovulation. This can be tested for using ovulation tests of various kinds on the market.
Regardless of the length of a woman’s cycle, all women ovulate 12-14 days prior to bleeding. This is called the luteal phase. Progesterone should be used during the luteal phase, therefore from ovulation to bleeding, this supports the body at a time when it would normally be producing a higher amount of progesterone naturally but may not be due to a defective luteal phase or anovulatory cycles (not releasing an egg) These anovulatory cycles begin around about age 35 yrs and can coincide with an increase in PMS symptoms.
100-200mg/day progesterone should be used and more if symptoms are severe.*
Women tend to go into menopause around the same time as their mothers. Perimenopause is the phase roughly 5-10 years before menopause.
As women enter Perimenopause there may be no noticeable symptoms for some, whereas others experience quite severe symptoms. Anovulatory cycles are becoming more frequent at this stage and natural progesterone production is dropping at an ever-increasing rate.
Approximately 1-2 years before menopause, menstrual cycles become unpredictable, sometimes occurring every two weeks or every 2-3 months, no pattern is obvious. When bleeding does occur it can be light, normal, or even extreme.
100-200mg per day split in two doses, approximately 12 hours apart of Bioidentical Progesterone should be used during Perimenopause and more if symptoms are severe.
As cycles become erratic and unpredictable, it is sensible to stop following the cycle and start using progesterone daily. Some women like to follow a 25 day on and 3 days off routine. However, it is safe to use continuously if you so choose. It is also safe to continue use through any bleeding.
Yes, men can use progesterone if there are signs of estrogen dominance. For men, progesterone is very simple to use as there is no cycle to consider. A suggested dose is 10-100mg split twice daily and more frequently if symptoms are severe.
Menopause begins on average at age 52 yrs and is judged by 12 consecutive months of no periods. Often, we think our problems are over with menopause. However, this is seldom the situation. The body’s natural ovarian production of Progesterone has stopped, and ovulation is no longer occurring.
Estrogen (estradiol) has also stopped being produced by the ovaries. However, fat cells do continue, for life, producing estrogen (estrone) to compensate for the ovarian estrogen (estradiol) loss. Unfortunately, there is no equal compensation for the loss of progesterone.
During menopause 100-200mg per day of progesterone should be used and more if symptoms are severe. Because there is no cycle, use progesterone daily, some women like to follow a 25 days on and 3 days off routine. However, it is safe to use continuously if you so choose.
When you begin using Bio Identical Progesterone in menopause for the first time, occasionally one or two periods can be experienced. This is just the uterus clearing out from slight buildup of uterine lining from the estrogen that is secreted from the fat cells over time.
This is normal and nothing to be concerned about. This usually only occurs in the first year of beginning progesterone therapy, but it can even happen to women who’ve been in menopause for 10 years. It is safe to continue using bioidentical progesterone through these periods.
Generally, for menstruating women it is not required to know when ovulation happens, beginning 12-14 days before your cycle starts is fine. However, if you want to get pregnant it is important to know when you are ovulating so you can start your progesterone cream just after the ovulatory surge.
This is to make sure you don’t inadvertently suppress ovulation by starting the progesterone cream too soon. There are ovulation detection tests of various kinds that can be used during this time.
It is very important to understand your cycles and how progesterone can both promote and suppress fertility. If you intend to become pregnant or are pregnant, please consult a health or medical specialist knowledgeable in the use of bioidentical progesterone before using it.
Bioidentical Progesterone cream can be applied anywhere on the body skin, it is very fat soluble and easily absorbed into the skin. From the subcutaneous fat layer, the progesterone is absorbed into the capillary blood.
Some believe you can only apply progesterone on the thinner areas of the body, but this is not true, you can successfully apply it anywhere on the outer skin of the body and it will absorb very well.
ordering & shipping
Most orders are processed and shipped within 1 business day.
For same day shipping, orders need to be received before 12pm ET (Eastern Time). Order processing times are not guaranteed, and delays do occur from time to time.
All orders are shipped from New Jersey, USA.
USA: Most orders within the contiguous USA will be delivered within 3-5 business days after the order has been processed. Factors which may affect delivery times include, shipping method, weekends and Federal holidays.
International: Most orders will take 2-5 weeks to be delivered, however this varies substantially depending on the country and chosen shipping method. Delays due to customs processing are also common.
*Delivery times are estimated and not guaranteed.
Progest Zen™ products that are unopened and sealed may be returned for a refund minus any shipping fee. Please contact us within 30 days of purchase for instructions.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.