Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
Topic Overview
Wild yam and progesterone creams are available without a prescription
and are marketed for relieving
perimenopausal symptoms caused by "estrogen
dominance." Some women report finding relief with these products.
Wild yam. Although wild yam cream is marketed
as a source of natural progesterone, it does not contain progesterone, and the
body cannot convert it into progesterone.1
Progesterone creams. Some women use "natural"
progesterone creams to correct low progesterone levels. Research is mixed about
whether the cream is absorbed into the body.
Concerns about progesterone cream use
You can't actually know how much progesterone you are getting
without having a whole-blood progesterone test. Because of this and the
following concerns, some experts are concerned about use of over-the-counter
progesterone cream.2
- If it is absorbing well.
Progesterone treatment has risks. It has been linked to headaches and dangerous
blood clots in a small number of women.2 This is why
progesterone is usually a prescription hormone and is not safe for women with
certain health risks.
- If it is not absorbing well. If you are taking estrogen (and have an intact uterus), you also
need to have enough progesterone to prevent the estrogen from causing
uterine (endometrial) cancer. Using a poorly absorbed
progesterone cream while taking estrogen does not protect you from uterine
cancer.
References
Citations
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(2001, reaffirmed 2008). Use of botanicals for management of menopausal
symptoms. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 28. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 97(6, Suppl): 1–11.
- Hermann AC, et al. (2005). Over-the-counter
progesterone cream produces significant drug exposure compared to a Food and
Drug Administration-approved oral progesterone product. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 45(6): 614–619.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Carla J. Herman, MD, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine |
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| Last Revised | May 4, 2010 |
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Last Revised:
May 4, 2010
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(2001, reaffirmed 2008). Use of botanicals for management of menopausal
symptoms. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 28. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 97(6, Suppl): 1–11.
Hermann AC, et al. (2005). Over-the-counter
progesterone cream produces significant drug exposure compared to a Food and
Drug Administration-approved oral progesterone product. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 45(6): 614–619.
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