According to a study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, scientists are considering the use of the hormone progesterone to treat cases of head trauma and injuries of the central nervous system.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is a precursor hormone, meaning that it aids in the production of other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, DHEA and cortisol (the stress hormone). In women, progesterone is necessary to balance out the effects of estrogen on the body and together they serve as the primary reproductive hormones and regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle.

How does progesterone affect the nervous system?

Donald G. Stein and his colleagues from Emory University believe that progesterone is a viable treatment for head trauma and brain injuries. It has been found that progesterone naturally protects against oxidative stress within the body. The hormone is also responsible for the regulation of neuronal development. In addition, progesterone also helps prevent and correct degenerative disorders of the brain and central nervous system.  

The Bottom Line:

According to a recent article published on WorldHealth.net, progesterone therapies are safe, relatively inexpensive, they can be easily administered and they’re readily available. Although scientists are quite certain that progesterone can help to improve the central nervous system, it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect science; there is still much to be learned about the brain, how it works and why.

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