Estrogen dominance is only one factor that explains many of the symptoms experienced by women 10 to 20 years before menopause. Dr. Lee cites several other factors such as poor nutrition, stress, and environmental factors that can play a significant role in many women.
Dr. Lee's thought-provoking book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause," provides tips for finding a physician who will treat you naturally, as well as advice for educating your physician about natural progesterone and other natural treatments. He cautions the importance of reading labels when purchasing natural progesterone cream and stresses that because a product says it contains "wild yam extract" is no guarantee that it contains real natural progesterone. His book includes a list of recommended resources for obtaining the cream. He also suggests that saliva tests are a more accurate method of obtaining hormone levels than the traditional blood tests and offers information about getting saliva tests when your physician is uneducated about this type of test.
Dr. Lee is also the author of a monthly medical newsletter where he keeps you informed about the latest medical research about natural progesterone and other important topics. In this month's newsletter he discusses the danger of floride in our water supplies and the surprising truth about its benefits to your dental health. Each newsletter includes articles by Dr. Lee, as well as a question and answer section, and resources for further information
Dr. Lee is not alone in his efforts to promote natural progesterone; Dr. Susan Love in her book, "Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book," Christine Conrad in her book "[link url>http://erclk.about.com/?zi=8/SW%5dNatural Woman, Natural Menopause[/link]," and Raquel Martin in her book, "[link url>http://erclk.about.com/?zi=8/SW%5d]The Estrogen Alternative[/link]," also discuss the importance of hormonal balance with natural progesterone.
More books by Dr. John R. Lee
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause""Natural Progesterone: The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone" (written for physicians)
"Optimal Health Guidelines: Macronutrients, Stress, Nutrition for Various Illnesses"
Does Natural Progesterone Really Work?
Speak out on the forums and share your experiences with natural progesterone and other hormones. What works for you? I tried many of the synthetic estrogens and Provera (progestin) before reading Dr. Lee's books and Raquel Martin's book. I experienced many of the side effects of "estrogen dominance" described by Dr. Lee. I can say for myself, natural progesterone cream has been a real lifesaver (after surgical menopause induced by a hysterectomy) and I haven't had any side effects. The product I use is Pro-Gest manufactured by Transitions for Women,the first US manufacturer of natural progesterone cream and on Dr. Lee's recommended resource list of products he knows contain real natural progesterone in the proper dose. I buy Pro-Gest at my local health food store for about $25 for a two ounce tube (one month supply).Update 7/29/2002 -- I now use compounded prescribe natural progesterone cream. I used the Pro-Gest for a couple years, but decided that I preferred to use a cream that my doctor prescribed. I believe the compounded progesterone cream may be a bit purer, and possibly stronger acting. I definitely feel better with it added to my prescribed hormones that also include compounded tri-estrogen and compounded testosterone cream. This is what works best for me, talk to your doctor to determine what is best for you.
