89: Decoding Hormonal Balance: The Power of Progesterone with Dr. Jerilynn Prior

In this episode of Conscious Fertility, host Dr. Lorne Brown engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Jerilynn Prior, a trailblazing endocrinologist and professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Prior shares her 40+ years of research on the importance of progesterone in women's reproductive health, the reality of hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause, and how understanding ovulatory disturbances can promote lifelong well-being. This episode is a must-listen for women seeking to optimize their fertility, manage perimenopausal symptoms, and gain deeper insights into their menstrual health.

Key takeaways:

• The importance of balancing estrogen with progesterone for reproductive and overall health.
• Ovulatory disturbances are common and adaptive but need attention when persistent.
• Perimenopausal symptoms are often linked to fluctuating estrogen levels and insufficient progesterone.
• Regular ovulation predicts better bone, heart, and lifelong health.
• Progesterone therapy effectively reduces menopausal symptoms like night sweats and sleep disturbances.

Dr. Jerilynn Prior Bio: 

Jerilynn C. Prior is a 40+ year University of British Columbia Endocrinology Professor. An award-winning Clinician-Scientist (Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 2019), her innovative concepts are changing women’s reproduction. Progesterone needs to be in balance with estradiol for well-being and fertility during the premenopausal years and for lifelong good health. She founded the UBC Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR, 2002). Prior is an internationally recognized thought leader on menstrual cycles, ovulation, perimenopause, menopause, osteoporosis prevention and night sweats treatment with an H-Index of 75. Her controlled trials show progesterone decreases menopausal VMS and increases bone formation. Prior grew up in Alaskan fishing villages, got an honors MD from Boston University (1969) and became Canadian (1983) due to her belief in universal health care. 

Where To Find Dr. Jerilynn Prior:  

• CEMCOR - Center for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research -  https://cemcor.ubc.ca/
• Books: Estrogen’s Storm Season - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B078JSRFKR
• RESEARCHS: 
• Menstrual cycle, follicular and luteal phase variabilities

Here’s a paper we just published in Human Reproduction—showing that it is nonsense to believe the luteal phase is fixed at 14 days. Henry, Sarah https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae215 

• Menstrual cramps and ovulation

 Because menstrual cramps are said to only occur in ovulatory cycles, we analyzed cramps in both groups—women with anovulation had more intense cramps that lasted longer! https://doi:10.2147/JPR.S457484.            

• Very important when discussing perimenopause

 We showed significantly decreased night sweats and improved sleep, no change in periods and a significant decrease in perimenopausal interference with daily life.

Here’s the open access link https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35826-w 

• More progress toward a new therapy for PCOS—we completed a feasibility study of cyclic progesterone (14 days/cycle) and spironolactone (an anti-androgen)—our primary outcome was a five part PCOS-specific quality of life instrument.

This confirms my hypotheses in this blog post some years ago https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/the-case-for-a-new-pcos-therapy

• Endometriosis and Brown Adipose Tissue—need assistance recruiting

We’re currently recruiting for women with endometriosis ages 19-35 who are not using hormones and are without chronic pain https://www.cemcor.ca/endometriosis-and-brown-adipose-tissue-bat-activity-study

We’re studying Brown Adipose Tissue activity in women with endometriosis and normally ovulatory controls.

How to connect to Lorne Brown online and in person (Vancouver, BC)

Acubalance.ca book virtual or in person conscious work sessions with Dr. Lorne Brown 

Lornebrown.com

Conscious hacks and tools to optimize your fertility by Dr. Lorne Brown:

https://acubalance.ca/conscious-work/

Download a free copy of the Acubalance Fertility Diet & Recipes and a copy of the ebook 5 Ways to Maximize Your Chances of Getting Pregnant from Acubalance.ca

Connect with Lorne and the podcast on Instagram:

@acubalancewellnesscentre

@conscious_fertility_podcast

@lorne_brown_official

DISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use it as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. This podcast offers information to help the listener cooperate with physicians, mental health professionals or other healthcare providers in a mutual quest for optimal well-being. We advise listeners to carefully review and understand the ideas presented, and to consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. Under no circumstances shall Acubalance, any guests or contributors to the Conscious Fertility podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Acubalance be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.