As you may know, the hormone progesterone is the hormone of pregnancy. However, we have discovered that this hormone also plays an important role in the libido and sexual health of both sexes, and low progesterone levels can lead to symptoms such as:

• Weight gain
• Hot flashes
• Infertility
• Depression, anxiety, and fatigue
• PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Before you reach menopause, we can prescribe you progesterone in order to avoid PMS symptoms and to help with fertility and general well-being. In women, progesterone can be given as a cream or as a pill; once you come to your appointment, we will determine the best route for you.

Estrogens(Estradiol, Estriol, and Estrone) also play an essential role in women’s health.  Estrogen is believed to be the main driver of female fertility (along with progesterone) and is important in maintaining libido, sex drive, and in preserving bone density to prevent fractures. The levels of this hormone will start dropping as early as 35 years of age. Usually by the age of 50 most women will begin to experience symptoms of menopause such as:

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism.

If you relate to one or more of the symptoms previously described, most likely you are in the perimenopause or menopause stage.

During menopause, levels of progesterone will also decline, contributing to the symptoms of menopause. Most doctors will prescribe estrogen in menopausal women, but they usually lack progesterone replacement. This is a very important process since estrogen on its own can cause conditions such as endometrial cancer. If progesterone is also replaced, we can help with menopausal symptoms while decreasing your risk of cancer at the same time.

Once you come to your appointment, we will determine the right combination therapy for you. This can be done with estrogen alone, with a combination of estrogen and progesterone, or with a combination of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Dr. Jativa will perform a thorough medical history and physical examination and review your labs in order to determine the best therapy for your individual needs.

Progesterone is an endogenous (we produce it in our bodies) steroid and sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and early development of humans. This is the reason why it is primarily considered a female hormone. Over the past couple of years, researchers have found that it also plays an important role in men’s health and well-being, particularly with regard to sexual performance.

Also known as the P hormone, progesterone has a wide array of effects all over the body, including the maintenance of sex drive and fertility. Other effects include benefits in sleep regulation, appetite control, and metabolism. If you are taking this hormone, you might stimulate the production of your own testosterone and counter the feminizing effects of estrogen. Over the past couple of years, Jativa MD has been treating men with supplemental progesterone to help them with erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Supplemental progesterone is typically administered via a cream applied to the skin.

When you come to your appointment, Dr. Jativa will sit down with you and perform a thorough medical history and physical examination and review your labs. With this information, he will help you determine if this hormone would be a good supplement for your lifestyle.