Marla Ahlgrimm reports that Aeron LifeCycles has completed a study that screened 27 different progesterone based creams. Of the creams, 12 contained more than the labeled 400 mg per ounce of progesterone, five contained 2 to 15 mg, and 10 creams – which claimed an effective amount of progesterone – contained 2% or less.
Another warning issued by Marla Ahlgrimm and other women’s health experts is to watch for products claiming they contain wild yam extract as a progesterone substitute. She notes that wild yam does not contain hormone nor does the body convert wild yam into progesterone.
Consumers seeking a natural progesterone cream should be cautioned that OTC creams should contain pharmaceutical-grade progesterone USP. Although progesterone USP is typically reserved as a prescription pharmaceutical, if administered in lower doses, the hormone can be marketed and sold without a prescription.
Many manufacturers, says Marla Ahlgrimm, are reluctant to reveal the precise amount of progesterone added to their individual products. According to Ahlgrimm, if this information is difficult to locate it is best to look elsewhere for a progesterone cream.
In order for a progesterone-based cream – whether over-the-counter or prescription – to show some level of effectiveness, it should contain a minimum of 400 mg/ounce of progesterone. Many of the over-the-counter products fall far short of this number despite claims on their packaging.
Marla Ahlgrimm suggests that women seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional and establish a partnership with a trusted compounding pharmacist with experience in women’s health needs.
