Progesterone Creams

Transdermal progesterone creams are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to conventional hormone replacement treatments.

When taken orally progesterone in its natural form is removed by the liver. However, with transdermal cream application over 90% of the progesterone content is absorbed into the fat layer that lies just beneath the skin. This is in fact where the body stores its own native progesterone reserves and as such is a natural and effective way of supplementing progesterone levels.

The History of Progesterone Cream

A California based doctor in general practice, Dr John Lee, was the first to popularise the use of cream based progesterone application. Dr Lee, in his book Natural Progesterone – The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone, presents his findings on the benefits of progesterone cream for treating a range of conditions including: menopause symptoms, osteoporosis, PMS, fertility and post-natal depression.

Dr Lee began his pioneering work in the 1980s when he observed that many of his patients with osteoporosis were unable to take oestrogen. He turned to natural progesterone cream as an alternative and was struck by the results — not only did bone density improve, but his patients also reported relief from a wide range of menopause symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances.

His subsequent books — What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause — became international bestsellers and introduced millions of women to the concept of natural progesterone supplementation. Dr Lee's work challenged the prevailing medical orthodoxy that oestrogen alone was the answer to menopause, arguing instead that progesterone deficiency was the primary driver of many menopausal complaints — a concept he described as oestrogen dominance.

Since Dr Lee's groundbreaking research, natural progesterone cream has been used by women worldwide for over 30 years. Today it is recommended by doctors and healthcare professionals who recognise the importance of restoring the body's natural hormone balance rather than simply replacing one hormone in isolation.

How Progesterone Creams Work

Progesterone cream works through transdermal absorption — the delivery of hormones through the skin directly into the bloodstream. When a measured amount of cream is applied to the skin, the progesterone molecules pass through the outer layers of the epidermis and are absorbed into the subcutaneous fat layer beneath. From there, progesterone is gradually released into the bloodstream over several hours.

This method of delivery has a significant advantage over oral supplementation. When progesterone is swallowed as a capsule or tablet, it must pass through the digestive system and liver before reaching the bloodstream — a process known as first-pass metabolism. During this process, the liver breaks down up to 90% of the progesterone before it can be utilised by the body. With transdermal cream application, the liver is bypassed entirely, meaning the vast majority of the progesterone reaches its target tissues intact.

The body naturally stores progesterone in the subcutaneous fat layer, so transdermal delivery mirrors the body's own mechanisms. This results in more stable, sustained progesterone levels compared to the peaks and troughs often associated with oral administration.

Progesterone Cream vs Synthetic Progestins

It is important to distinguish between natural (bioidentical) progesterone cream and the synthetic progestins commonly used in conventional HRT. Natural progesterone is molecularly identical to the progesterone produced by the human body. Synthetic progestins, while they mimic some of progesterone's effects, have a different molecular structure and can produce different effects in the body.

Many women turn to natural progesterone cream precisely because they are looking for an alternative to synthetic HRT. The bioidentical approach aims to supplement the body with hormones that are recognised and processed naturally, rather than introducing synthetic compounds. As always, it is important to discuss your options with your healthcare professional to determine the best approach for your individual needs.

What Makes a Good Progesterone Cream?

Not all progesterone creams are created equal, and understanding what to look for is essential. There are several key quality markers to consider:

The Wellsprings Liposomal Formula

Wellsprings creams use a liposomal delivery system that sets them apart from many other progesterone products on the market. Liposomes are microscopic spheres made from phospholipids — the same material that makes up cell membranes. When progesterone is encapsulated within liposomes, it is protected as it passes through the skin and is delivered more efficiently to the target tissues.

This liposomal technology means that Wellsprings creams achieve excellent absorption rates, ensuring that the progesterone reaches the bloodstream effectively. Combined with USP-grade natural progesterone and over 25 years of formulation experience, this makes Wellsprings creams a trusted choice for women seeking natural hormone support.

How to Apply Progesterone Cream

Our usage information is based on the latest findings, which is to incorporate both thin skinned and fatty tissue areas and to rotate the areas regularly - which means daily for most women. This avoids overusing any one receptor site which can lead to less hormone being absorbed.

You get good coverage if you apply to a thin area in one application and a fatty area in the next one. For instance, if you apply it to your left arm on Monday (upper arm is fatty tissue and lower inside arm is thin tissue) and then work down your body on one side and back up the on following days.

Recommended application sites include:


The key principle is rotation — by moving between different sites each day, you ensure consistent absorption and avoid saturating the receptor sites in any one area. For detailed guidance on application schedules and dosing, visit our using Wellsprings creams page.

Wellsprings Progesterone Creams

Wellsprings Serenity is a premium natural progesterone cream that has been helping women overcome menopause symptoms and other conditions associated with hormone imbalance since 1997.

On this site you can find out more about natural progesterone and read the stories of just some of the women that have found relief from symptoms of hormone imbalance by choosing Wellsprings Serenity.

Wellsprings offers a range of bioidentical hormone creams to suit different needs:


Not sure which cream is right for you? Visit our cream comparison page to see how the products differ, or read our customer reviews to hear from other women about their experiences. We always recommend speaking to your healthcare professional before starting any new hormone supplementation programme.

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