Physiological Effects - Estrogen and Progesterone: Contrasting Effects
Excerpted From:
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT BREAST CANCER: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life from Thirty to Fifty
Physiological Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen Effects
Creates proliferative endometrium
Breast cell stimulation (fibrocystic breasts*)
Increased body fat and weight gain*
Salt and fluid retention
Depression, anxiety, and headaches*
Cyclical migraines*
Poor sleep patterns*
Interferes with thyroid hormone function*
Impairs blood sugar control*
Increased risk of blood clots*
Little or no libido effect*
Loss of zinc and retention of copper*
Reduced oxygen levels in all cells*
Causes endometrial cancer*
Increased risk of breast cancer*
Increased risk of prostate cancer*
Restrains bone loss
Reduces vascular tone (dilates blood vessels)
Triggers autoimmune diseases*
Creates progesterone receptors
Relieves hot flashes***
Prevents vaginal dryness & mucosal atrophy***
Increases risk of gall bladder disease*
Improves memory***
Improves sleep disorders***
Improves health of urinary tract***
Relieves night sweats***
Progesterone Effects
Maintains secretory endometrium
Protects against breast fibrocysts
Helps use fat for energy
Natural diuretic
Natural anti-depressant & calms anxiety
Prevents cyclical migraines
Promotes normal sleep patterns
Facilitates thyroid hormone function
Helps normalize blood sugar levels
Normalizes blood clotting
Helps restores normal libido
Normalizes zinc and copper levels
Restores proper cell oxygen levels
Prevents endometrial cancer
Helps prevent breast cancer
Decreased risk of prostate cancer
Stimulates new bone formation
Improves vascular tone
Prevents autoimmune diseases
Increases sensitivity of estrogen receptors
Necessary for the survival of the embryo
Precursor of corticosteroid biosynthesis
Prevents coronary artery spasm and atherosclerotic plaque.
Sleepiness, depression**
Digestive problems**
* Indicates that these effects are caused by estrogen dominance, or an imbalance of estrogen caused by too little progesterone.
** Indicates that these effects are caused by an excess of progesterone.
*** Indicates that these effects are caused by a deficiency of estrogen.
© Copyright, Warner Books 1999. This material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer
How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life
by John R. Lee, M.D., David Zava, Ph.D. and Virginia Hopkins.
Warner Books 2002 (410 Pages)
Another pioneering book by John R. Lee, M.D. that really gets to the bottom of why women get breast cancer and how to prevent it. It covers a wide array of topics including how HRT may trigger breast cancer, why doctors use chemo and radiation even though they don't work very well, what causes breast cancer, how to prevent it, and the remarkably preventive benefits of natural hormones-- when used properly.