Using Progesterone Cream?

Donna, I've used Progesterone cream on and off since my bc journey began 9 years ago.  I started using it after my first diagnosis after reading Dr. John Lee's book 'What Your Dr. Won't Tell You About BC'.  It worked wonders for the hideous monthly hormonal migraines that lasted for 3 day that I got from taking Tamoxifen.  My oncologist said it was OK to use while I was on Tamo but he wanted me to stop when my 5 years were up.  I didn't stop, I used it for probably 2 more years and then stopped.  About a year after stopping, I was diagnosed with a new primary.  I am currently taking Femara and started getting the migraines and also had a period after every surgery(reconstruction).  Found out that  surgery temporairly raises your estrogen level.  Started back on the progesterone a few months ago and no more migraines and no more bleeding.  Best wishes

BTW, Progesterone is supposed to put the brakes on BC....it's antiprolific (sp?) and also helps rebuild bone. My naturopath has tested my hormones and recommends it for me.

This explains it somewhat:

In another study on progesterone and menopause, researchers compared the effects of topical progesterone cream to prescribed oral progesterone on a small group of 12 healthy post-menopausal women. Data revealed that the OTC progesterone cream resulted in similar progesterone blood levels as the prescribed oral form. The women also had the same rate of adverse side effects. The complete results of the study were published in the June 2005 Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

http://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/breasthealth/default.aspx

Edited by Mods to update link

I have used progestrone cream for 7 yrs, this past month was the first i have ever skipped.  It helped me so much with bleeding nite sweats etc, I was only 36 when i started on it.  Dr's were talking hyster at 36.  i also have had lumps since i was 19 yrs all fibroadnomeas (SP?) 11 biopsies, 4 needle biopsies, 1 stereo tactic wide excession and now double matectomies on Jan 17, 2008!  So i guess the progestrone may have helped hold the cancer off longer i don't know!  Now i will have d/m and hyster with ovaries out after suggested by onco.  Then I will ask to go back on progestrone!

Good luck!

onebadboob

i believe the progestrone does not fuel the cancer cells but makes them under control possibly aiding in having them die when they are suppose to.  John Lee's books explain this better.  I have doubts but I know I used his cream for 7yrs prior to my dx.  would have hoped it would have protected me from bc but it did not.  It did however make my other female areas much better.  My dr researched it herself i lent her my book by Dr.  Lee she was convinced and started other patients on the creme.  All were having positive feed back when last i asked her in May 07.

Will we ever fiqure this all out??

All I can say is that I had ER+PR+ and I had used this type of progesterone cream and rubbed it into my chest area in very place where I developed breast cancer about 4 years prior to my diagnosis.  Coincidental?  Hmmmm.......I believe it may have been one factor of many.I took it for endometriosis pain and it didn't really help.  I ended up with hysterectomy anyway - in hindsight I wish they have taken my ovaries out as then maybe that would have prevented the breast cancer.  I've since had them removed. I personally do believe that we have lots more hormones in our food and environment than our bodies are intended to handle. 

I could be totally wrong... just my 2cents....

 blessings,

Wendy

I don't know what I said that gave the impression Northrup recommends progesterone cream to bc survivors.  I wish she did have more material targeting us, but she writes to a more general audience of women.  And her website has an annoying glitch that won't take me to pages 2 and 3 of search results for progesterone. 

All I was suggesting is that progesterone doesn't seem to receive much attention compared to estrogen.  And I find this puzzling because I have a recollection of reading about progesterone being an important aspect of cell life as it comes to an end.  We seem to have mountains information telling us cancer cells feed on the estrogen in our bodies.  But what do we know about progesterone?  It seems like the overlooked hormone imo.  And what if progesterone could be instrumental in getting RID of the cancer cells we possess?  Life cycles in, life cycles out.  Seems like there's plenty of focus on the cycling in.  

 All I'm suggesting is progesterone seems to play an important role in the cycling out, and it seems to be a subject getting little attention.  

The problem is, and obviously little understood,  why are women who have high PR levels in their blood are still victims to BC?  What is working in a petri dish isn't working for us in real life.  That's what they really should be studying.  Why isn't progesterone doing its job?   Women with high levels of PR in their tumor are here too.  What is the real role of progesterone inside our body, and why is a tumor uptaking it?   It isn't halting the growth of a tumor, nor is it causing it to die, then what's left?  Is it actually helping it to grow?

Dr John Lee does not recommend putting the progesterone creme on your chest or breast area.  Please do not do that if anyone is still using it.  My gyn said no to that, but had researched the creme and is prescribing it to patients.  With good results! 

I know it helped me a lot in the monthly cycle area, I can not speak as to the effects on BC since I am here!!!  I used it hoped it was helping now I am not sure!  That is true with a lot of things in life. 

Good luck to all!

Dani

Dear msannie57,

Do you have the link to that study?  Thanks.

Dear 2curvy,

I use the cream also for peri-menopausal symptoms and SWEAR by it.  I have done literally over 100 hours reasearch on it, and with my Mom's breast cancer I wanted her to use it.  There are dozens of trials showing it activates the P53 gene.  My mom started to use it on her tumor site, but the next day she said it was sensitive.  Our neighbor where she lives is a Dr. and good friend and said stop using it because it will "feed the tumor".  I sent him all the studies, and he never replied.  Msannie57 found the study that shows it promotes angiogenisis.  I did read that study.  All the contradiciting studies are driving me INSANE!!!!!!  From what I've read, the progesterone will cause differentation of the cells, and at first there will be growth, then followed by apoptosis.  Does anyone else have any comments? Does anyone else have any opinions? TIA  Lisa

Dear Mannie 57,

Thanks for your reply.  I have no formal training.  Just a humble researcher.  Started in 1982 with herbs and natural healing. Then natural healing with regards to cancer in 2002.  All in all, over 3000 hours or more.  I do have some great testimonies, as in the 80's I ran my own business with regards to selling supplements.  Had remarkable turn arounds with people regaining health.  I have no affiliation with any supplement company now.  I actually sell diamonds, and have been doing that for 18 years.  I missed my calling, in regards to what interests me now, which is natural healing and micro-biology, immunology and the like.  I spend about 30 hours a week researching how the body works with regards to it's immune and hormonal response to environmental toxins, stress, and diet.  All of this study is to help heal my mother, and prevent getting cancer myself, or any other disease.  I reference, cross-reference and pray about all the information my humble mind digests.  The holy spirit gives me answers and then I go with it.  So far, this approach has served me well, and if it's God's Will, I accept whatever outcome he decides!  Hugs, Lisa.

Thanks Rosemary,

I've been getting those newsletters for several years.  I do respect Dr. Mills opinions.  It's just very hard for me to ignore these studies:  To date, I have read over 50 studies showing progesterone's protective effect, and it's ability to differentiate cells.                            Research

• Campagnoli C, Abba C, Ambroggio S, Peris C.  Pregnancy, progesterone and progestins in relation to breast cancer risk. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 97(5):441-50. 

  The authors review recent findings that show that the production of progesterone during pregnancy and the use of bioidentical progesterone in hormone therapy do not increase breast cancer risk, and can even protect against the development of breast cancer.

• Kaaks R, Berrino F, Key T, Rinaldi S, Dossus L, Biessy C, Secreto G, Amiano P, Bingham S, Boeing H, Bueno de Mesquita HB, Chang-Claude J, Clavel-Chapelon F, Fournier A, van Gils CH, Gonzalez CA, Barricarte Gurrea A, Critselis E, Khaw KT, Krogh V, Lahmann PH, Nagel G, Olsen A, Onland-Moret NC, Overvad K, Palli D, Panico S, Peeters P, Quirós JR, Roddam A, Thiebaut A, Tjønneland A, Chirlaque MD, Trichopoulou A, Trichopoulos D, Tumino R, Vineis P, Norat T, Ferrari P, Slimani N, Riboli E. Serum sex steroids in premenopausal women and breast cancer risk within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).  J Natl Cancer Inst 2005; 97:755-65. 

  In this large multicenter study, higher serum progesterone levels were associated with a significant reduction in breast cancer risk.

• Fournier A, Berrino F, Riboli E, Avenel V, Clavel-Chapelon F.  Breast cancer risk in relation to different types of hormone replacement therapy in the E3N-EPIC cohort.  Int J Cancer 2005; 114(3):448-54.  Combined HRT with estrogen (either oral or transdermal) and synthetic progestins was found to carry a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared with estrogens plus oral micronized progesterone.  In fact, no increase in breast cancer risk was seen in the estrogen plus oral micronized progesterone group compared with estrogen alone.  This large multicenter study therefore suggests that there is a dramatic difference between the effects of bioidentical progesterone versus synthetic progestins on breast cancer risk.

• Missmer SA, Eliassen AH, Barbieri RL, Hankinson SE.  Endogenous estrogen, androgen, and progesterone concentrations and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women.  J Natl Cancer Inst 2004; 96(24):1856-65.  Blood progesterone levels were found not to be related to breast cancer risk in this first study to investigate this in postmenopausal women. The occurrence of progesterone receptor positive tumors was the tumor type most strongly affected by all the circulating steroid hormones measured except for progesterone.  Higher levels of endogenous estrogens and androgens were significantly correlated with increasing breast cancer incidence.  This suggests that circulating natural progesterone does not increase breast cancer risk.

• Malet C, Spritzer P, Guillaumin D, Kuttenn F. Progesterone effect on cell growth, ultrastructural aspect and estradiol receptors of normal human breast epithelial (HBE) cells in culture. J Ster Biochem Mol Biol 2002; 73: 171-181.

  In a culture system, progesterone was found to have an inhibitory effect on breast cell growth. When given following estradiol (E2), it limited the stimulatory effect of E2 on cell growth.

• Desreux J, Kebers F, Noel A, Francart D, Van Cauwenberge H, Heinen V, Thomas JL, Bernard AM, Paris J, Delansorne R, Foidart JM. Progesterone receptor activation- an alternative to SERMs in breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 2000 Sep;36 Suppl 4:S90-1.

  This review emphasizes progesterone's role in supporting healthy breast homeostasis and opposing the proliferative effects of estradiol in the breast, unlike synthetic progestins.

• Plu-Bureau G, Le MG, Thalabard JC, Sitruk-Ware R, Mauvais-Jarvis P. Percutaneous progesterone use and risk of breast cancer: results from a French cohort study of premenopausal women with benign breast disease. Cancer Detect Prev 1999;23(4):290-6.

  This cohort study followed 1150 premenopausal French women diagnosed with benign breast disease. Topical progesterone cream, a common treatment for mastalgia in Europe, had been prescribed to 58% of the women. Follow-up accumulated 12,462 person-years. There was no association noted between progesterone cream use and breast cancer risk. Furthermore, women who had used both progesterone cream and an oral progestogen had a significant decrease in breast cancer risk (RR= 0.5) as compared to women who did not use progesterone cream. There was no significant difference in the risk of breast cancer in percutaneous progesterone users versus nonusers among oral progestogen users. These results suggest there are no deleterious effects caused by percutaneous progesterone use in women with benign breast disease.

• Formby B, Wiley TS. Bcl-2, survivin and variant CD44 v7-v10 are downregulated and p53 is upregulated in breast cancer cells by progesterone: inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Mol Cell Biochem 1999 Dec;202(1-2):53-61.
  
  This study sought to elucidate the mechanism by which progesterone inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Utilizing breast cancer cell lines with and without progesterone receptors (T47-D and MDA-231, respectively) in vitro, the authors looked at apoptosis (programmed cell death) in response to progesterone exposure as a possible mechanism. The genetic markers for apoptosis - p53, bcl-2 and surviving, were utilized to determine whether or not the cells underwent apoptosis. The results demonstrated that progesterone does produce a strong antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell lines containing progesterone receptors, and induced apoptosis. The relatively high levels of progesterone utilized were similar to those seen during the third trimester of human pregnancy.
• Lin VC, Ng EH, Aw SE, Tan MG, Ng EH, Chan VS, Ho GH. Progestins inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with progesterone receptor complementary DNA. Clin Cancer Res 1999 Feb;5(2):395-403.

  Progesterone is mainly thought to exert its effects via the estrogen-dependent progesterone receptor (PR), the effects of which may be overshadowed by the presence of estrogen. In order to study the independent effects of progesterone on breast cancer cell lines, PR expression vectors were transfected into a PR and ER negative cell line (MDA-MB-231). The growth of these cells was then studied in response to progesterone and several progestins. Progesterone was found to significantly inhibit DNA synthesis and cell growth in a dose-dependant fashion. The results of this study indicate that progesterone and progestins independent of estrogen have an antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cells via the progesterone receptor. This suggests a possible role in the treatment of PR negative breast cancer via re-activation of the PR receptor.

• Formby B, Wiley TS. Progesterone inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells: inverse effects on Bcl-2 and p53. Ann Clin Lab Sci 1998 Nov-Dec;28(6):360-9.
  
  This study explored the mechanism by which progesterone inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation (growth). In progesterone receptor positive T47-D breast cancer cells, the mechanism of apoptosis appeared to be through the regulation of the genes p53 and bcl-2 by progesterone. These genes control the apoptotic process. It was demonstrated that at progesterone levels that approximate the third trimester of pregnancy, there was a strong antiproliferative effect in at least 2 breast cancer cell lines.
• Foidart JM, Colin C, Denoo X, Desreux J, Beliard A, Fournier S, de Lignieres B. Estradiol and progesterone regulate the proliferation of human breast epithelial cells. Fertil Steril 1998 May;69(5):963-9.

  In this double-blind randomized study, to evaluate the effects of estrogen and progesterone on normal breast cells, 40 postmenopausal women received daily topical application of a gel containing either placebo, estradiol, progesterone, or estradiol + progesterone for two weeks prior to esthetic breast surgery or the excision of a benign breast lesion. The results showed that increased estrogen concentration increased the number of cycling epithelial cells, whereas exposure to progesterone for 14 days reduced the estrogen-induced proliferation of normal breast epithelial cells.

• Pasqualini JR, Paris J, Sitruk-Ware R, Chetrite G, Botella J. Progestins and breast cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1998 Apr;65(1-6):225-35.

  This review article outlines the many functions of progestogens in hormone-dependent and independent breast cancer and suggests new clinical applications for their use in the treatment of breast cancer.

• Mohr PE, Wang DY, Gregory WM, Richards MA, Fentiman IS. Serum progesterone and prognosis in operable breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer 1996;73:1532-1533.

  Higher blood levels of progesterone measured during surgical treatment of breast cancers were associated with significantly better survival, especially in women who were node-positive (P<0.01). There was no significant relationship between estradiol levels and survival. This study demonstrated that a higher level of progesterone at time of excision is associated with improved prognosis in women with operable breast cancer.

• Chang KJ, et al. Influences of percutaneous administration of estradiol and progesterone on human breast epithelial cell cycle in vivo. Fertil Steril 1995; 63(4):785-91.
  
  The effect of transdermal estradiol (1.5 mg), transdermal progesterone (25 mg), and combined transdermal estradiol and progesterone (1.5 mg and 25 mg) on human breast epithelial cell cycles was evaluated in vivo. Results demonstrated that estradiol significantly increases cell proliferation, while progesterone significantly decreases cell replication below that observed with placebo. Transdermal progesterone was also shown to reduce estradiol-induced proliferation.
• Laidlaw IJ, Clarke RB. The proliferation of normal breast tissue implanted into athymic nude mice is stimulated by estrogen, but not by progesterone. Endocrinology Jan 1995;136(1):164-71.

  Normal human breast tissue was implanted subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The mice were then treated with estradiol or progesterone such that serum levels approximated those seen in normal menstruating women.
  Immunocytochemical measures were made of proliferative activity and steroid receptor expression of the tissue implants. It was found that physiologic levels of estradiol significantly stimulated the proliferation of human breast epithelial cells and increased progesterone receptor expression 10-20-fold. Progesterone failed to affect proliferation alone or after estradiol priming.

• Nappi C, Affinito P. Double-blind controlled trial of progesterone vaginal cream treatment for cyclical mastodynia in women with benign breast disease. J Endocrin Invest 1994;15(11):801-6.

  Eighty regularly menstruating women with mastodynia were studied to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of vaginally administered micronized progesterone. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups, with all participating in a control cycle prior to treatment. One group received 4 grams of vaginal cream containing 2.5% natural progesterone for six cycles from day 19 to day 25 of the cycle. The other group was similarly treated with placebo. Both subjective reporting on a daily basis and clinical examination revealed a significant reduction in breast pain, defined as 50% reduction, in 64.9% of subjects receiving progesterone and 22.2% of subjects receiving placebo. Effects of breast nodularity were not significant. No side effects were detected.

• Mauvais-Jarvis P, Kuttenn F, Gompel A. Antiestrogen action of progesterone in breast tissue. Horm Res 1987;28(2-4):212-8.

  In a review of international literature on the cellular effects of progesterone on both normal breast cells and breast cancer cell lines, the authors conclude that most data indicate progesterone and progestins have an antiestrogenic effect on the breast, as reflected in the decrease in estradiol receptor content, the decrease in cell proliferation, and an increase in a marker of cell differentiation, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid activity, which is mediated by the progesterone receptor.

• Cowan LD, Gordis L, Tonascia JA, et al. Breast cancer incidence in women with a history of progesterone deficiency. American Journal of Epidemiology 1981; 114:209. ,083.

  Infertile women were followed for 14-34 years. Those who were deficient in progesterone showed a fivefold greater incidence of premenopausal breast cancer.

I've got more studies in my files, but this will get anyone interested a good start.  I really need a cohort.  )

Dear Rosemary,

What brand, and what dosage of progesterone cream were you using?  How long did you use it?  Did you develop BC while using the cream? 

Sincerely,

Lisa

Dear Rosemary,

Did you have a hormone profile test?  You may have a progesterone to estradiol imbalance.  Do you know about estrogen dominance and xeno-estrogens?  There is compelling evidence that xeno-estrogens are contributing to the higher incidence of many hormonal  driven cancers. My mother's ratio's are off balance.  She has normal levels of progesterone, but much higher ratio of estradiol.  I removed all the zeno-estrogens from her personal care regimen, laundry, plastic containers and the like.  She still uses a little bit of make-up with parabens in them, but not much.  Zeno-estrogens are EVERYWHERE.

I surely don't mean to be rude, but I thought the topic on this board was about the USE of progesterone cream. 

Sincerely,

Lisa