Progesterone is considered a universal regulator rather than a narrowly specialized "reproductive" hormone. It has its own anti-stress, anti-estrogenic, anti-edema, neurostabilizing, and metabolic effects, and serves as the starting substrate for the synthesis of all other steroid hormones. Progesterone protects the body from pathological extremes—both deficiencies and excesses of other hormones—by maintaining physiological balance, energy metabolism, and tissue resistance to hypoxia, inflammation, and stress.
Particular emphasis is placed on its antagonism to estrogen: estrogen is associated with edema, hypoglycemia, hypoxia, seizure readiness, accelerated aging, tumor growth, and thyroid dysfunction, while progesterone systematically counteracts these effects.
Steroids
Steroids are described as fundamental molecules of life, involved in almost all aspects of physiology. Progesterone and pregnenolone occupy a central place in steroidogenesis, as the balanced formation of cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, and estrogens depends on them. Unlike synthetic progestins, natural progesterone does not suppress the body's own synthesis; on the contrary, it promotes its restoration.
The key role of mitochondria, vitamin A, T3, magnesium, and vitamin E in steroid synthesis is demonstrated. Progesterone stabilizes mitochondria, improves the coupling of respiration and phosphorylation, reduces "oxygen losses," and protects tissues from excitatory and toxic factors.
Thyroid
The function of the thyroid gland is viewed as a central link in hormonal and energy health. Insufficient thyroid activity often goes undetected by standard tests but manifests as reduced temperature, pulse, digestive disturbances, hypoglycemia, and hormonal imbalances.
Progesterone and thyroid hormones work synergistically: T3 is necessary for progesterone synthesis, while progesterone facilitates the secretion of thyroid hormones and reduces its suppression by estrogen. Estrogen dominance and hypothyroidism create a vicious circle that can be broken by correcting nutrition, liver function, light exposure, protein intake, and physiological hormonal support.
Warburg's Cancer Theory, Cachexia and Thyroid Therapy
This chapter examines cancer through the lens of Otto Warburg's theory: as a consequence of defective cellular respiration and a shift to aerobic glycolysis. Excessive lactate production creates systemic stress, increases cortisol, depletes the body, and leads to cachexia.
Thyroid hormones, magnesium, and progesterone are described as key factors in restoring oxidative metabolism, reducing lactate, and addressing energy inefficiency. Estrogen, on the other hand, exacerbates hypoxia, inhibits the action of thyroxine, and promotes tumor growth.
The author concludes that supporting thyroid function and an anti-estrogen strategy are fundamental elements of a metabolically grounded approach to oncology.
The Cervical Cancer Scare
This chapter critiques the panic-driven and aggressive approach to diagnosing and treating "precancerous" conditions of the cervix. It emphasizes that many cases of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ regress with the restoration of metabolic and hormonal balance—without surgery or destructive interventions.
Key factors in regression include adequate intake of protein, B vitamins, vitamins A and E, magnesium, vitamin C, as well as correcting thyroid function and replenishing progesterone deficiency.
Estrogen is viewed as a carcinogenic factor, while progesterone is seen as a hormone of differentiation and tissue protection, capable of inhibiting pathological proliferation.
Menopause and its Causes
Menopause is interpreted not as "ovarian depletion" or estrogen deficiency, but as a result of chronic progesterone deficiency and the neurotoxic effects of estrogen on the hypothalamus. The author shows that estrogen continues to be produced with age, but its regulation is lost due to the death of sensitive neurons.
Progesterone, pregnenolone, and thyroid hormones are described as protectors of nervous tissue from excitotoxicity. Osteoporosis, hot flashes, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and memory issues are linked to excess cortisol, prolactin, and estrogen against a backdrop of hypothyroidism. Correcting metabolism, rather than estrogen replacement therapy, is viewed as a physiologically justified path.
Dosage of Progesterone
Progesterone is suggested to be used not according to fixed schemes but in a dose sufficient to alleviate symptoms. Peat emphasizes its high safety and recommends focusing on clinical effect rather than laboratory numbers.
The most physiological intake is considered to be after ovulation; however, in cases of severe symptoms, more flexible use is allowed. An important rule is to start with small doses and gradually adjust to the minimally effective dose, especially when using well-absorbed forms. It is noted that normalizing nutrition and thyroid function over time reduces the need for progesterone.
The Progesterone Deceptions
This chapter is dedicated to debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding progesterone. The author sharply distinguishes between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins, emphasizing that the latter often have estrogenic, luteolytic, and toxic effects.
False claims about the "ineffectiveness" of oral progesterone, its alleged teratogenicity, and the necessity of synthetic analogs are examined. Peat shows that many negative effects attributed to progesterone are mistakenly associated with it—in reality, they are related to solvents, acetate forms, or the progestins themselves.
The conclusion of the chapter is that natural progesterone is an independent, safe, and systemically protective hormone, and its discrediting is primarily of an economic and regulatory nature.
Origins of Progesterone Therapy
This chapter describes the history of progesterone use long before the advent of synthetic hormones. In the early 20th century, extracts of the corpus luteum were widely used to treat menstrual disorders, infertility, habitual miscarriage, obesity, and nervous symptoms of menopause. After the isolation of pure progesterone in the 1930s, it was confirmed that it was the active therapeutic component of these extracts.
Interest in progesterone was gradually displaced by the pharmaceutical industry, which focused on patentable synthetic derivatives. Peat emphasizes that natural progesterone does not exhibit toxicity, even in high doses, and is inherently a "hormone of protection," supporting resilience to stress, intoxications, seizures, autoimmune, and degenerative processes.
Transdermal Progesterone for Premenstrual Syndrome
This section discusses the transdermal route of progesterone administration as a practical and effective alternative to injections for severe PMS. Progesterone penetrates well through the skin, especially when using oil or cream forms, and can provide a clinical effect comparable to injections.
The author emphasizes individual variability in absorption and the need to adjust the dose based on symptoms. Transdermal application is especially beneficial for migraines, edema, depression, mastalgia, as well as local issues (varicose veins, bursitis, tendon inflammation), where high local concentrations of the hormone are important.
A List of Signs and Symptoms that Respond to Progesterone Therapy
The provided list of symptoms demonstrates the systemic nature of progesterone's action. It encompasses the nervous system, blood vessels, metabolism, immunity, skin, and connective tissue, emphasizing that progesterone should not be viewed as a narrowly reproductive hormone.
Among the conditions are PMS, migraines, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, insomnia, hypoglycemia, edema, endometriosis, fibrous and autoimmune processes, varicose veins, hypertension, hypotension, thermoregulation disorders, and climacteric symptoms. The author emphasizes that these manifestations are markers of deep metabolic disturbances, and progesterone is a tool for adaptation and recovery.
An Efficient Oral Therapy
The final chapter is dedicated to justifying the effective oral use of progesterone. Peat debunks the myth of its "destruction in the stomach" and shows that when fully dissolved in oil, progesterone is absorbed through the lymphatic system as part of chylomicrons, bypassing rapid hepatic metabolism.
This form ensures nearly complete absorption, stable hormone levels in the blood, and accumulation in tissues, especially in erythrocytes and the brain. As a result, oral progesterone in oil solution proves to be more physiological, economical, and effective than injections or suppositories, and does not suppress the body's own hormone synthesis when thyroid function is preserved and nutrition is adequate.
