Progesterone has been shown to have DHT inhibiting effects and is thus used by both men and women, often in the form of topical applications, to combat hair loss. Progesterone creams provide a transdermal method by which levels of the progesterone hormone can be increased at a desired location of the body. Hair loss is not the primary reason for the use of progesterone creams. While applied topically, some of the progesterone absorbed in this way will find its way into the body in general, so there may be systemic implications to its use. Progesterone can also be taken in pill form to increase broader systemic efficacy.
Topical progesterone is available as capsules, vaginal creams and suppositories. The medication is applied by women to sensitive areas of the body such as the breast, abdomen, inner thighs and the palms of the hands. Men who use progesterone creams can apply it to areas such as inner forearm, chest, neck or scrotum. Because of possible side effects for the health of the thin areas of skin through which the progesterone is absorbed, it is recommended that the site of application is changed periodically. This has obvious implications for those intending to apply progesterone creams regularly to the same parts of their scalp.
Progesterone creams are not FDA approved for use against hair loss in men or women, and if you are considering using one for such purposes you should consult a well-informed doctor before commencing use. This is especially important for women of all ages, men or women already taking medication to address hormonal imbalances in their bodies, or women who are or think they may become pregnant.
Progesterone is thought of as a female hormone and its medicinal use is primarily for ovarian disorders and contraception in women. Women who attribute excellent progress with their hair loss problems to the use of progesterone creams often also report improvements in other areas of their health associated with hormonal imbalances or the aging process. These include so-called "oestrogen dominance" and some of the unpleasant symptoms linked to menopause. Progesterone creams are a common systemic treatment for hair loss for women going through menopause or who have health problems associated with hormonal imbalances.
If you are a woman considering using a progesterone cream for the purposes of fighting hair loss, an excellent source of information about menopause and progesterone cream by Dr. John R. Lee is recommended reading. Dr. John Lee is not to be confused with Dr. Richard Lee, creator of the Xandrox products mentioned previously! Dr. Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause - The breakthrough book on natural progesterone" was written in collaboration with medical writer Virginia Hopkins and first published in 1996. Its most recently revised edition was released in 2004. Unfortunately Dr. Lee died of a heart attack the day after he completed revisions for the latest version of this book, but during his life he was a tireless researcher and advocate for natural progesterone treatments. He vigorously opposed the kind of synthetic hormone replacement therapy that women and the children they gave birth to suffered from for decades prior to his work, and his research has extra integrity because it was not funded by drug companies.
The reason that the pharmaceutical industry does not show much interest in progesterone is basic economics. It is inexpensive and not able to be patented. Some companies have developed synthetic progesterones (progestins) as a substitute for those that are naturally available, however because of the wide range of side effects associated with these altered compounds consumers should be wary about using synthetic progesterones for the purposes of hair loss.
To stop hair loss and achieve possible regrowth a 1% or 2% topical concentration of progesterone cream may be applied to the scalp. Quantities will vary depending on whether you are a man or a woman and what kind of hair loss you are experiencing, but 10-40 mg per day is a common dosage. It is believed that higher doses could cause menstrual irregularities in women.
There are now many different brands of natural progesterone cream available. When making a selection, look for one that doesn't leave a heavy or greasy feeling on the skin. Consumers often prefer creams dispensed from a tube for ease of use. Once again, consult your physician before making a selection when it comes to progesterone creams.
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