Prostate hypertrophy is a common problem in men over 50 years of age. It is believed that the main cause of prostatic hypertrophy is a disturbed mechanism of excretion of old dead cells and replacing them with new, healthy ones. In addition, with age, sexual activity decreases in men, which translates into much less frequent “refreshing” of the old ejaculate and replacing with fresh in the prostate. As a consequence, it leads to inflammation of the prostate, enlargement of the gland, and often even to prostate cancer.

Male testosterone itself is not particularly active. In order to obtain its full functionality, it has to be transformed into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the so-called “active form of testosterone”, which is several hundred times more active. However, excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause damage to cells and even cause the formation of carcinogenic cells. In this case, progesterone plays two very important functions. First, progesterone inhibits the enzyme 5-α-reductase (5-α steroid reductase type II), which regulates the conversion of testosterone to DHT and thus prevents excess dihydrotestosterone. Second, progesterone plays a very important role in reducing the risk of carcinogenic (cancer) cells. All cells have a definite lifespan and when they reach maturity, the natural process of programmed cell death occurs. Thanks to this mechanism, worn or damaged cells are removed. This process is called apoptosis. If the “old and used” cells do not die in their natural cycle, they continue to grow and divide, they are exposed to disorders, including carcinogenic disorders. Both oestrogens and testosterone are strong stimulators of cell growth – this is their function. When an oestrogen dominance syndrome occurs, without the proper antagonistic effect of progesterone, “old and used” cells, which should undergo apoptosis, continue to live and divide into new cells, creating a real threat of the formation of carcinogenic cells. Research has shown that testosterone has a similar effect to that of oestrogen.

Dr John Lee in his progesterone research noted that the administration of natural progesterone restores normal cell function and the natural process of apoptosis – cells die in a time when they should die and are replaced by new, fresh and healthy cells.

In addition progesterone, as a natural antagonist for oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone, balances their excess and adverse effects on the body. This is an extremely important feature due to the overwhelming influence of xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens in everyday life.

Excessive conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone may also cause male pattern baldness, particularly when its testosterone precursor is provided externally, i.e. for example when using doping or treating erectile dysfunction. Sometimes baldness can be hereditary.

Although osteoporosis is more common in women, it is still a disease of both sexes. In men, as in women, excess oestrogen has a very large effect on the functioning of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoclasts, called bony cells, are responsible for destroying old bone cells to replace them with new ones. Osteoblasts, called bone-forming cells (osteoclasts), are responsible for filling the “gaps” after the osteoclasts have acted. However, oestrogen creates the situation of excessive inhibition of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Thanks to which “old” and “fragile” bone cells are not properly exchanged for new healthy bone cells. The administration of natural progesterone in this case has a double effect. First, it eliminates the oestrogen dominance syndrome and normalizes its level. The result is an improvement in the work of osteoclasts, i.e., osseous cells. Second, progesterone activates and stimulates the action of osteoblasts, which are designed to fill the “gaps” of healthy bone cells after osteoclasts.
Men produce much less progesterone than menstruating women. Nevertheless, many medical studies and Dr. John Lee recommend taking progesterone by men at 8-12mg per day.