If we are using progesterone cream for estrogen dominance, then why do you put evening primrose oil (estrogen) in the cream?

Hi Catherine,

If we are using progesterone cream for estrogen dominance, then why do you put evening primrose oil (estrogen) in the cream? This is confusing to me.

Thank you,

Sherry

Dear Sherry,

It does sound rather confusing, doesn’t it? Let me see if I can explain it in terms you can understand.

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like plant compounds that are weaker than a woman’s own estrogens. When phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptor sites, they inhibit the body’s own stronger estrogens. The most well studied phytoestrogens are the isoflavones, particularly those found in soy and red clover. Although they are not hormones, phytoestrogens can bind to estrogen receptors, and have either mild estrogen-like effects or anti-estrogen effects.

When we are in a state of estrogen dominance - too much estrogen circulating in our body in comparison to progesterone - then estrogen becomes the ‘bad guy’. And you only have to look at the list of symptoms that correlate with estrogen dominance to get the picture!

I guess one of our biggest concerns resulting from high estrogen levels is the risk of cancer. You see, estrogen’s action in the body (signalling cells to divide and multiply) is not balanced by a corresponding signal from progesterone to these same cells to mature and die at the appropriate time. Estrogen driven tumors are an example of this. Tamoxifen (unnatural to the body ~ side effects) is typically prescribed as treatment for women after surgery for breast cancer. Like phytoestrogens, tamoxifen, has mild estrogenic properties but is considered an anti-estrogen since it inhibits the activity of regular estrogens, putting a breast cancer to sleep for a few years and in some women who have breast cancer slowing the rate of recurrence for a few years.

Evening primrose oil may act as a natural estrogen.

Evening primrose oil is a clear, golden-yellow oil extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose, a wildflower native to North America. It is a widely used medicinal that ranked 10th in sales among all herbal dietary supplements, according to the American Botanical Council.

Taken primarily in capsule form and occasionally used topically, evening Primrose Oil contains the highest amount of gamma-linolenic acid (essential omega-6 fatty acid) of any food substance, which is thought to be effective at reducing many uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, especially breast pain.

According to a review of evening primrose oil conducted by ConsumerLab.com, an independent testing organization, the body is often able to produce sufficient amounts of GLA from foods containing oils from corn, sunflowers, safflowers, soy, peanuts and plants like flaxseed. However, there are several conditions, from heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis to dermatitis and menopausal symptoms, in which the body’s production of GLA may be reduced. That’s where evening primrose oil seems to be most helpful.

We still come back to the same question why introduce estrogen activity if you are trying to reduce estrogen activity? The argument goes something like this …

Weaker estrogens found in nature are perhaps safer in some cases than the estrogens manufactured by our own body.

Therefore, as part of your estrogen reduction program, you would ideally introduce a premium phytoestrogen formulation that has mild estrogen-like effects to inhibit your body’s own stronger estrogens (estradiol & estrone).

However, I would seriously caution women with estrogen-driven tumors to seek medical advice before introducing into their health regime a progesterone cream that contains ingredients known to have estrogenic properties.