Progesterone Corticosteroids
Progesterone and estrogen are mainly produced in ovaries. This is typically why this hormone is generally regarded as a 'female sex hormone', although it is produced in the male. Small amounts are also released from the adrenal glands. The role of the two hormones is key to understandings of a womans menstrual cycle. Estrogen dominates the intial two weeks and progesterone is the dominant hormone for the final two weeks of the month. Low progesterone in women is often misdiagnosed as a thyroid deficiancy. And it is progesterone that is responsible for the female sex drive, not estrogen.


The thyroid hormones and progesterone compliment each other. Conversely, a thyroid deficiency can stimulate a large estrogen production. Large estrogen dominance further lowers available progesterone. Significantly the body can convert progesterone into estrogen. So for women estrogen supplementation is now very much questioned. Especially since such good natural and safe phytoestrogens are available through the environment and food. These phytoestrogens are chiefly found in soya products. This is a very good reason for the male to avoid soya products completely.


Progesterone molecules undergo hydroxylation by which side chains are cleaved leaving behind essential hormones called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are responsible for the catabolism (the breakdown as apposed the build up) of body proteins and fats. Under the influence of luteinizing hormone corticosteroids yield testosterone, an androgen, responsible for protein synthesis and muscle growth.


A number of factors influence the levels of testosterone produced by the body. Boron is an essential mineral for testosterone production but it is not a causal factor, alone it would have little effect, it is simply one of many links in a synergistic chain. Vitamin C is a vital stimulus to testosterone production. When levels of ascorbic acid are high the adrenal gland's response to ACTH is inhibited and consequently greater amounts of pregnenolone are available for conversion to testosterone.