Progesterone Anti-Tumor Properties By Lita Lee, Ph.D. 2/1/2007

In the February 1993 issue of Prevention, the cover story, entitled, “Beyond Estrogen, the Miracle Pill for Women Over 35” presented an introduction to Tamoxifen, a weak synthetic estrogen, called "the magic pill," which may "prevent" breast cancer. In a trial study involving 2,644 women, those that received Tamoxifen had symptoms of estrogen toxicity, including frequent occurrences of hot flashes, vaginal discharge, and irregular menses. (New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 23, 1989). Some women taking Tamoxifen experienced depression sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate, headaches and agoraphobia.

There is a low-cost, natural product steroid available, which supports the body's natural defenses against cancer with no toxic side effects and, in fact, is one of the anti-aging steroids. It is called progesterone. The healthy body makes it from cholesterol. It is also available from many plants, including the wild Mexican yam (dioscorea). In 1961, one out of 20 women got breast cancer. Today it is one out of five. Is this progress?

To understand the nutritional effects of progesterone, we must understand how it works to oppose or balance estrogen. The phrase “unopposed estrogen” or “estrogen dominance” means a normal estrogen level with a reduced progesterone level or an excess level of estrogen with a normal progesterone level. The healthy ratio of progesterone to estrogen is ten-to-one. Women who have ratios of less than five-to one are prone to cyclic seizures (e.g., occur at the onset of menses), excessive bleeding, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, edema, hypoxia and other unpleasant conditions.

Why do doctors prescribe estrogen replacement therapy when estrogen is produced by many tissues, possibly by every tissue except the uterus and the breast, unless the breast contains cancerous cells. Then, they, too, produce estrogen. Estrogen is also produced by adipose (fat) tissue, damaged liver tissue and aging tissues (Peat).

In Peat’s book, Nutrition For Women, he states (page 44), “Even before estrogen was chemically identified, it was known to promote breast cancer; in the 1930’s. It was shown to cause tissue aging, fibroid tumors, various cancers, premenstrual syndrome and menstrual abnormalities, and to induce abortion.” Dr. Stephen Gayla reported that the tumorogenic effect of estrogen can be demonstrated by rubbing estrogen cream on the face and observing breast cysts within 48 hours. These effects can be reversed with natural progesterone, sometimes in as few as 48 hours!

Alexander Lipschutz investigated tumor formation by steroid hormones. His work showed that estrogen is carcinogenic in proportion to its lack of balance by progesterone. Estrogen was the only class of steroid hormones found to be carcinogenic, especially in continuous doses. Intermittent large doses were less dangerous than continuous small doses, showing the need to interrupt the influence of estrogen. This is a very scary discovery, in view of the fact that most women on ERT are given continuous dosages of estrogen. The general carcinogenicity of estrogen was demonstrated in Lipschutz’s rats. Uterine fibroids were the first tumors produced, followed by uterine cancer; other abdominal fibroids and cancer; and then by mammary, brain and lung cancers. Lipschutz tested all other steroids available to him at that time, to see if he could find one that would block the carcinogenic action of estrogen. He found that progesterone was the most powerful anti-tumor hormone via its action in interrupting the influence of estrogen. The only other steroid that had this protective action was pregnenolone, which is the precursor (starting material) for both progesterone and DHEA.

After menopause, other tissues, including fat cells and the adrenal glands produce more estrogen than the ovaries. The production of estrogen by fat cells can be inhibited by thyroid hormone and progesterone. Breast cancer cells can produce and secrete estrogen. Thus, estrogen can exert a systemic carcinogenic action.

Toxicity

Natural progesterone toxicity has been tested in animals who are generally more sensitive to progesterone than humans and no toxic level has been found. In fact, the only side effect of high doses are anesthetic, a factor in the anti-seizure properties of progesterone. In reported tests of progesterone, solvents such as benzyl alcohol or esters of unsaturated fatty acids were used as carrier solvents. When injected into the body, benzyl alcohol causes precipitation of progesterone and is a powerful neurotoxin, but its harm is reduced by progesterone’s anti-toxic action.

Commercial (refined) unsaturated fatty acids have been shown to increase carcinogenesis, especially of the kidney, breast, and uterus. International research standards have subsequently invalidated research using unsaturated fats as the solvent. However, some researchers, unaware of these findings, have concluded that progesterone causes metastasis in cancer patients. Others do not distinguish between natural progesterone and carcinogenic synthetic progestins.