Natural has less to do with where it comes from, and everything to do with its biochemical structure. The naturally occurring plant sterol diosgenin from Mexican yams can be converted through a simple laboratory process called hydrolyzation into a steroid compound molecularly identical to human progesterone. Possible side effects of Provera include fluid retention, weight gain, depression, fatigue, nausea, acne, migraine, breast tenderness, and spotting between periods. Hormones taken orally enter the bloodstream from the small intestine, and go directly to the liver. Because the liver is not accustomed to receiving large amounts of hormones, it begins to break them down, leaving only a small percentage of the ingested hormone available to cells.
Oral administration is outmoded.
Plant-derived creams fit better in the body's receptors. I prefer transdermal delivery systems-it's safer and more natural. When progesterone supplementation is inadequate in relieving hot flashes, sweating, and vaginal dryness, herbs that tonify Yin, dispel Heat, and astringe Moisture should be used. Women concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer wonder whether they should use natural progesterone cream. A Johns Hopkins study published in 1981 found that women with low progesterone levels had a 5.4 times greater incidence of breast cancer and a 10 times greater incidence of general malignancy.