The benefits of natural progesterone for the brain and nervous system

20th Nov 2011

Yesterday evening I was handed an article, titled 'The female sex hormone saving the lives of men', from a male friend who said "Judy, I think you will be very interested in this". We were out having dinner in a local restaurant with a group of friends something we do on a regular basis. He said that he brought it along because he felt it was so important that I should read it knowing my passion for the subject. I know his wife, and most other women, would be keen to show such and interest, but his enthusiasm was all the more touching because he is a man and the article clearly points out the many benefits of natural progesterone which are not just purely confined to women.

I was delighted to see that more trials on natural progesterone are about to start in five centres in the UK. The information in the article is not new to me as I had read about this study being undertaken by Professor Donald Stein over 15 years ago when I read Dr John Lee's book 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause' I just wonder why it has taken so long when all the evidence was quite clear all those years ago.

To see the Times article 17 November 2011 click here

Extract from Dr Lee's book published 1996:

Progesterone and Brain Injuries

Progesterone can reduce the severity of brain injuries. In an experiment by Emory University Professor Donald Stein and colleagues found that studying head trauma to rodents showed results of reduced mortality and more rapid recovery of function among females compared to males. When male animals were given oestrogen, no survival or recovery advantage was found. In fact, post-mortem examinations revealed that cerebral (brain) contusions and oedema were killing neurons far beyond the site of the original injury. When male animals were given progesterone, however, their survival and recovery rates corresponded to that of female rats. Stein and his colleagues have begun researching the effects of progesterone on human patients coming to selected emergency rooms with brain injuries.

In other work on progesterone and degeneration of nerves in spinal cord injury, researchers used a unique strain of mutant mice that have degeneration of the spinal cord. A 20-mg progesterone pellet implanted in some of the nice for 15 days created substantial positive change in the nervous system, both at the cell level and at the level of physical functioning, including enhanced grip strength and prolonged survival at the end of the 15-day observation period. The researchers concluded that their results "suggest a new and important role for this hormone in the prevention of spinal cord neurodegenerative disorders".

Even though rats are not necessarily the same as humans, if I suffered a head injury I hope someone would give me a good dose of natural progesterone.

Breast Cancer Article - To put the record straight

10th August 2010

Once again the synthetic hormone progestogen contained in the pill and HRT is confused with ‘natural’ progesterone in a double spread article published in the Daily Mail today called ‘What Really Raises the Risk of Breast Cancer’. I had an opportunity to make a comment about the article on line. Please see the article here and click on ‘view all’ at the top right hand corner to see my response.

I was limited on the amount of words I could use so had to edit most of the content. You can see the full unedited version here.

A great new book!

7th May 2009

From Belly Fat to Belly Flat by Dr C W Randolph and Genie James, was published on May 7 (Vermilion, £6.99). To order a copy (p&p free), call 0845 155 0720.

Dr Randolph explains that the real reason behind this problem has less to do with calories, carbs or crunches and everything to do with a little-known but very real medical problem called “oestrogen dominance”. By treating thousands of women safely over two decades, Dr Randolph had discovered why we are in a mist of an oestrogen epidemic and how you can save your waistline and your health. In from Belly Fat to Belly Flat you will learn:

How to self diagnose oestrogen dominance

The top ten belly blasting foods

The everyday culprits that impact hormone levels

Which vitamins and supplements support and sabotage hormone balance

The book explains the importance of bio-identical hormone replacement in optimising health. This book is highly recommended for anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of this very topical subject. Click Here to read more.

Does a Woman without a Uterus Need Progesterone?

19th July 2008

This reader just had a "total" hysterectomy and her doctors are telling her that she doesn't need progesterone because she doesn't have a uterus... More... click here.

Another great study which supports the wonderful work of Dr John Lee.

13th Oct 2007

This time it is from France and was published in July 2007 in the journal Endocrine Reviews, and is titled, “Novel Perspectives for Progesterone in Hormone Replacement Therapy, with Special Reference to the Nervous System.

For those interested in looking at the full paper, it can be downloaded for free! Look here and then to your right for the free download.

Progesterone Shows Promise as Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

1st Oct 2006

More evidence that compounds Dr John Lee's earlier research which was published in his book 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause' back in 1996! Read here.

Special Report!

5th June 2006

Once again 'natural' progesterone is being confused with the synthetic progestogens contained in HRT and the Pill. Please read and then pass on Virginia Hopkins's excellent response just to put the record straight: Click Here To Download

Misleading media headlines once again confuses natural progesterone with the synthetic progestogens

28th March 2006

Some of you may have seen the latest headlines stating that progesterone in the pill may cause cancer. Please do not be confused by the incorrect use of the terminology used when referring to the synthetic progestogens used in the pill or HRT which does carry a risk of cancer. These types of progestogens have their own generic names, but are frequently and erroneously termed with the name progesterone. There is much evidence to show that natural progesterone, synthesised in the body or in the laboratory, does protect against cancer and does not carry any of the risks associated with the synthetic forms. There is no progesterone in any contraceptive pill or HRT, only the synthetic and molecularly modified progestogens that can cause harm.

Please read these articles (here and here) I posted in May 2001 Also please see CANCERactive's comments at http://www.canceractive.com/page.php?n=708

Natural progesterone may prevent premature births

22nd February 2006

Natural progesterone may be given to pregnant women who are susceptible to premature births. Researchers are hoping to understand how natural progesterone's other benefits can play a role in preventing it happening in the first place. For more information please go to: http://www.action.org.uk/news_media/progesterone.php

Icon Integrated Cancer and Oncology News

12th August 2005

Cancer Active is a relatively new charity set up by Chris Woollams founder of Icon integrated health magazine. The magazine incorporates information and articles from all areas of health treatments for cancer including the complimentary sector. I have been particularly impressed by the high standard and wide range of knowledge covered in the magazine including much information about natural progesterone in regard to the prevention of breast cancer. One of the articles that Chris (who is a bio-chemist and health researcher) had written about natural progesterone, after studying its health benefits in some depth, can be seen here.

I was also honoured to be asked to be one of the patrons of Cancer Active in recognition of the work I have done running the Progesterone Link support group since 1996.

The Icon magazine is a must for anyone who would like to know more about all available treatments for cancer and how to prevent it happening in the first place. Please visit http://www.iconmag.co.uk/ to see further what Icon is all about.

Also in the short time Cancer Active has been launched, the charity has organised the first ever Cancer Prevention Conference to be held in the UK on Thursday 17th November 2005. Please click here for more information.

29th December 2004

A well-designed new study of women using progesterone cream has added greatly to the mounting evidence that natural hormones work as advertised... Click here to read.

Stress can make women miscarry

12th November 2004

Dr Katherina Dalton did much work in this area and concluded 'years ago' that stress raises cortisol which can lower progesterone levels considerably as they both compete for the same receptor sites. Progesterone is the hormone that is vital to maintain a pregnancy hence, if a woman does not produce enough progesterone, she will miscarry. Please check out the recommended reading page for books on this subject written exclusively by Dr Katherina Dalton. To read latest information from New Scientist please click here.

Change of Life Lecture

May 2004

Monday 14th June 2004
7pm to 10pm (doors open 6.30)
Kensington Town Hall (small hall)
Hornton Street, London W8 7NX
Enquiries: 0207 228 5314
Free parking after 6.30pm (single yellow line) Car park below Town Hall.
Nearest Tube Kensington High Street (district & circle line)

Dr Roby Mitchell is a leading expert in bio-identical hormones. He lectures and takes teaching sessions for doctors all over the world. There is much confusion about the difference between natural and synthetic hormones and Dr Mitchell's talk is a must for anyone who would like to have this subject clarified.

Tickets cost £29 each - please call the enquiries number. All profits will be donated to the charity "Well Being" for breast cancer.

NEW! Completely Revised and Updated

May 2004

This is Dr. Lee's classic first book for the lay reader, completely revised, updated, and with new chapters added. It's worth reading, and it's worth rereading!

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The breakthrough book on natural progesterone.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause: Balancing your hormones and your life from thirty to fifty. Learn more...

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: NOW IN PAPERBACK! How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life by John R. Lee, M.D., David Zava, Ph.D. and Virginia Hopkins (410 Pages).

To find Dr. Lee's best-selling "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You..." books and more of his writings, please go to www.johnlee.com Also, most of Dr Lee's books are stocked in WHS and other leading bookshops, or try www.amazon.co.uk

Oestrogen-only trial also halted early because of the increaed risks of strokes.

February 2004

Following on from the Women’s Health Initiative trials which were halted early because of the established risks of combined HRT, the continuation of the oestrogen only trial has also been halted early on Tuesday, 2nd of March, 2004 well before its planned completion in 2005. This was due to the increasing evidence that oestrogen alone does not appear to either increase or decrease the risk of heart disease and can in fact increase the risk of stroke, which the researchers stated as "being unacceptable in healthy women in a research study, especially given the lack of improvement in heart decrease risk".

Click here for more information and a comment by Judy.

Memorial Service

January 2004

A Memorial Service for Dr John Lee will be taking place on the 31st of January 2004 and will be held at St Clement Danes Church, The Strand, London, starting at 12 noon. The service will last approximately 1 hour and all who wish to pay tribute to Dr Lee are most welcome to attend.

Personal tribute to John R Lee M.D. By Judy Evans.

October 2003

Click here to read.

In Memoriam, John R. Lee, M.D. (1929 - 2003)

October 2003

John R. Lee, M.D. passed away unexpectedly on Friday October 17th, 2003, of a heart attack. Dr. Lee was known by millions of people as the doctor who pioneered the use of transdermal progesterone cream and bio-identical hormones, and who had the courage to stand up against the medical establishment's dangerous and misguided HRT (hormone replacement therapy) treatments. He kept a full schedule, giving talks and teaching worldwide (he had recently returned from a speaking tour in Europe), writing his best-selling books and monthly newsletters. More... click here.

HRT Trials establish the dangers of HRT

August 2003

Recently, two large studies one held in America by the Women's Health Initiative and one held in Britain, funded by Cancer Research UK, has now shown without doubt that HRT can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and breast cancer. Experts such as Dr John Lee had long ago shown concern over the 'apparent' dangers of the use of synthetic hormones. He writes about this extensively his book 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause', ISBN: 0-446-67144-4. To read more about the reports, click here.

Article in Icon

July 2003

An article by Judy Evans published in Icon integrated cancer and oncology news magazine July 2003 Volume 2 Issue 1 to read more click here.

Dates for Dr Lees talks in London

6th October 2002

Dr John Lee is speaking in London on the 30th and 31st of October 2002 More...

The John Lee Medical Letter

23rd September 2002

Many women have been concerned about the recent reports that the risks associated with HRT outweigh the benefits. Dr Lee has written an interesting article about this subject in his July newsletter and has kindly given permission for it to be freely copied. He feels it may help women to educate doctors and their friends who have questions about this issue. More...

Fertility time bomb in our drinking water

03 April 2002

Countryfile programme shown on BBC1 Sunday March 19, 2002 at 11.30 A.M. confirmed that scientists in the UK are extremely worried about the effects of oestrogen in our drinking water caused mainly by women taking the pill. The Daily Mail published a report the next day explaining how oestrogen pollution may be affecting the sex of male fish and causing human sperm counts to fall at an alarming rate over the last 50 years. More...

Dr Lee's new book.

05 January 2002

It gives me great pleasure to announce the arrival of Dr Lee's new book ,"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer", which will be available after January 15th 2002. Special offers are available for those who subscribe to his monthly newsletter. More...

Contribution to Breast Awareness Month.

14 October 2001

I was fortunate to acquire this information during my research into the effects of progesterone and breast cancer. I am concerned that this information is not yet available to every woman who is facing surgery for breast cancer. Other studies have shown the same results several years ago, but still no significant importance to this information has been disseminated to the public at large.

I believe every woman who is facing surgery for breast cancer whether pre-menopausal or post-menopausal should have access to this information. If by only having normal levels of progesterone produced by the body during surgery can increase the survival rate by 30% after 10 years for pre-menopausal women, it stands to reason that by supplementing with progesterone for all women with breast cancer would increase their survival rates for life.

Click here to read the information that was released by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and published in CANCER, 15 November 1999. More...

More Dr Lee lectures.

02 July 2001

Dr Lee will be back in the UK at the end of October this year. He will be speaking further south in London. More details will be available nearer the time. Watch this space!

Dr Lee interview transcript

08 June 2001

Dr John Lee took part in a telephone interview on Monday 21st of May. The interview was conducted by Fay Wertheimer. Read the full transcript by clicking here.

New Forums now Open!

06 June 2001

Have your say about Natural Progesterone on our new Forums!!
You have to register first, you can do so by clicking here.
To go to the new forum now, click here, or find the Forum button below.