Marla Ahlgrimm Explains the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Progesterone

Ahlgrimm Marla

Ahlgrimm Marla

Self-help methods – eating well, exercising regularly and nutritional supplements like ProCycle PMS – can go a long way toward managing physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, says Madison, Wisconsin-based pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm. However, some women find that self-help is not enough to keep their symptoms under control. If you’re one of these women, you may want to talk to your physician about prescribing natural progesterone therapy. Here’s a look at some the basic facts about progesterone therapy that will help you evaluate your options.



Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm is a pharmacist, not a physician. Her work with progesterone therapy has made national headlines over the last 30 years. She is a huge advocate of self-help to minimize the effects of PMS symptoms, but fully understands that sometimes a natural or synthetic progesterone supplement may be necessary. There are many physical and emotional symptoms that go along with PMS, she says, and the combination of medical and nonmedical intervention may be necessary to ward off symptoms. Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm encourages women to educate themselves on the differences between natural and synthetic progesterone. According to Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm a woman’s OB/GYN is a good place to start.

 

 

The hormone

How does progesterone work in your body? When produced by the ovaries, reports Marla Ahlgrimm, progesterone prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg. In fact, progesterone means “for gestation” and is the hormone of pregnancy. If fertilization and implantation do not occur, your progesterone levels fall and your cycle begins. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, progesterone levels fluctuate in the monthly pattern. During the first half of your cycle, from day 1 of your period to ovulation, approximately 14 days later, progesterone levels are low. After ovulation, says Ahlgrimm, progesterone levels begin to rise. Progesterone is produced by the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle. If you become pregnant, the placenta takes over the output of progesterone, producing high levels of the hormone especially after the ninth or tenth week of pregnancy. Elevated progesterone levels may be one reason some women say they feel wonderful during pregnancy, says Marla Ahlgrimm.


Pharmacist Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm is not an M.D., although she is sometimes referred to as such by her clients. She is an expert in women’s health, and has spent the last 30 years focused primarily on hormonal deficiencies. One area of her expertise is progesterone therapy to assist with PMS symptoms. Many women ask specifically how progesterone works with the body, says Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm. According to Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm, progesterone is a hormone produced naturally. Its main function is to assist in the body’s preparation for pregnancy. Women near the end of their first trimester of pregnancy have elevated levels of progesterone, which may account for that pregnancy “glow.”

 

 

The medication

The hormone progesterone is prescribed by physicians to supplement a woman’s production of the hormone. Many women often ask Marla Ahlgrimm how natural progesterone is different from a synthetic progestin. When in its natural state, progesterone is identical to what your body produces every month. A synthetic progestin, like those found in birth control, can significantly slow down or halt ovulation entirely and diminish the body‘s natural output of the hormone. Rather than relieve PMS, synthetic progestin often intensifies PMS symptoms, reports Ahlgrimm.


While she is not a Dr., Marla Ahlgrimm is a pharmacist and author whose works can be found on the shelves of thousands of doctors across the country. As an expert in women’s health and a pharmacist for over three decades, she is often asked about the legitimacy of progesterone therapy. She says to understand progesterone therapy; one must understand specifically what progesterone does in the body. Progesterone, says Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm, is the home of pregnancy and it fluctuates often throughout a woman’s cycle. She says that for women with PMS, natural progesterone is often better than synthetic progestin in relieving PMS symptoms. She advises that women speak with their doctors about either.

 

An important point to remember about progesterone therapy is that the two forms cannot be used interchangeably. If your physician prescribes progesterone, you should ask whether he/she is prescribing the natural or synthetic form. Usually, progesterone is prescribed for use during the last half of the menstrual cycle, from the onset of ovulation until menstruation begins, notes Ahlgrimm. Often people mistakenly believe that natural progesterone is an herbal substance that would be found at a health food store. It isn’t. Natural progesterone is a highly purified, quality pharmaceutical preparation derived from soy. It is highly regulated by the FDA. It is a prescription drug that must be compounded individually by a pharmacist. Marla Ahlgrimm cautions that receiving the proper amount of the hormone is key.


Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm is not a research doctor or a PhD; she is a well-known pharmacist, author and entrepreneur who specializes in women’s health. As the founder of Madison Pharmacy Associates and Women’s Health America, she has done extensive research on progesterone therapy in women with PMS. Progesterone therapy has been a hot topic over the last several years and its administration has been the subject of some debate. According to Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm, there are two predominant forms of progesterone: suppository and oral. Oral progesterone can be taken in capsule or tablet while suppositories may be administered via the vagina or the rectum, says Dr. Marla Ahlgrimm. Which form to use is a personal decision and should be discussed with a physician, concludes Ahlgrimm.

 

 

Options

Because natural progesterone is available in different forms including transdermal creams, suppositories, sustained release tablets, and oral capsules, Ahlgrimm recommends considering which one is best for you. Things to take into account include absorption factors – how much of the medication is absorbed, how fast, and how long it lasts. According to Ahlgrimm, you will also want to consider how easy the medication is to take, and the cost. As noted by Marla Ahlgrimm, these are the most commonly prescribed forms of progesterone:

 

Oral – Micronized progesterone can be taken orally in capsule or tablet form, says Ahlgrimm. The capsule is an immediate release form that is taken four times daily. Oral tablets are an even release formula and can be taken twice a day to produce consistent levels of the medication in the blood, which is important. Remember, progesterone is a hormone with naturally calming effects, notes Ahlgrimm. All forms of natural progesterone may cause drowsiness, says Marla Ahlgrimm. If drowsiness or dizziness occur, the dosage may need to be reduced. Taking natural progesterone with food also helps avoid drowsiness.
 

Suppositories- Progesterone suppositories can be administered rectally or vaginally. They provide consistent absorption rate. Some women may experience vaginal leakage as a suppository melts. Rectal suppositories can also stimulate the bowels.

 

For more information about how pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm can help you manage your symptoms of PMS or other hormonal imbalances, visit her online at www.marlaahlgrimm.com

 

Richard Siskey to Investors: Know When to Exit

Richard Siskey

Richard Siskey

Part of business ownership, according to business and entrepreneur Richard Siskey, is knowing when to exit. No matter what your role as a stakeholder in a business, knowing when to get out is as important as knowing when to begin. With more than three decades of experience in the business, Charlotte, NC native Richard Siskey has seen many companies sell for millions within just a few short years of beginning.

The key is to have your exit planned in advance. By creating specific deadlines and financial milestones, you’ll have a timeline to give company owners and future investors, Richard Siskey says. By doing all this while you’re setting up your company, you’ll be able to better plan and strategize, Richard Siskey believes although he cautions that you may end up exceeding your goal!

Instant Tax Solutions | Understanding Tax Liens

Instant Tax Solutions

Instant Tax Solutions

For the indebted taxpayer, nothing can be more stressful than receiving repeated warnings from the IRS. But even when the IRS has levied a lien against a taxpayer’s assets, it isn’t necessarily permanent. Instant Tax Solutions regularly works to help taxpayers remove liens placed by the IRS. Instant Tax Solutions’ co-founder, Byron Pedersen, recently stopped by to talk to A Gathering of Experts about IRS tax liens.


Instant Tax Solutions complaints found online continue to remain unverified. The firm understands that all businesses involving financial services are going to be subject to some complaints; however, Instant Tax Solutions complaints found online all seem to trickle from one central source. The reason behind these Instant Tax Solutions complaints is still subject to debate, but one might suppose that an angry ex-employee or an individual looking to steal the firm’s business maybe behind the complaints. Instant Tax Solutions requests that taxpayers contact the Better Business Bureau for honest and legitimate information regarding the firm before they believe everything they read online.

 

A Gathering of Experts: How does a taxpayer know a lien may be coming?

Byron Pedersen: Think of a lien as a mortgage. It establishes the IRS as an owner of a taxpayer’s particular assets. For this to happen, the IRS must first assess an individual’s tax liability and request payment from the taxpayer. If payment isn’t made, the IRS must then determine that payment is being refused. Once these steps have been followed, the IRS can begin collections procedures. Instant Tax Solutions has found that by the time a lien is placed, a taxpayer has already refused to pay and been warned that collections will be taking place.


Instant Tax Solutions says complaints about the confusing nature of IRS forms are growing. The IRS uses forms that often include many boxes that confuse some taxpayers, says Instant Tax Solutions. Complaints usually come from elderly or visually impaired taxpayers who struggle with all of the information that appears. According to Instant Tax Solutions, complaints are legitimate and the IRS is aware that sometimes their forms may be confusing. By contacting the IRS, many taxpayers may be able to have large type forms sent to them directly. One way to mitigate complaints, says Instant Tax Solutions, is to utilize the services of a reputable tax agency.

 

A Gathering of Experts: Once a lien has been placed, do taxpayers have any recourse?

Byron Pedersen: The IRS wants its money, so is usually willing to work with taxpayers. Instant Tax Solutions can help clients set up payments in affordable installments. The IRS would rather be receiving a small amount of money monthly toward the debt than nothing at all.


Sources close to Instant Tax Solutions say complaints made against the firm have no foundation in reality, and that some are simply dishonest. The firm has a reputation of delivering quality tax debt resolution services, says one employee of Instant Tax Solutions. Complaints about the quality of care clients have received in the past have been totally fabricated. One complaint about Instant Tax Solutions circulated the Internet in 2011. The person/persons making the claims has never come forward to Instant tax Solutions and the complaint is still being investigated by company co-founder Byron Pedersen.

 

A Gathering of Experts: Is the IRS legally allowed to put liens on a taxpayer’s assets?

Byron Pedersen: Provisions for liens are stipulated in the IRS tax code. The tax code states that if a taxpayer refuses to pay tax debt, the Federal government may attempt to collect all amounts owed, including penalties and fees, by putting a lien on any property or even rights to property.


Complaints to Instant Tax Solutions staff about fraudulent e-mails sent from scammers claiming to be IRS agents have increased over the last few years. It seems that e-mail and the Internet are now the preferred choice of criminals, says Instant Tax Solutions. The complaints are usually from families who are already struggling to pay back taxes. According to Instant Tax Solutions, complaints should be sent to the IRS via their website www.irs.gov. Sadly the online schemes can be harder to pinpoint that old fashioned door-to-door scams, notes Instant Tax Solutions. One complaint from victims is the difficulty in identifying criminals after they have taken their money – they often use the Internet at a local library or coffee shop to run their scam, making it hard to track them down.

 

A Gathering of Experts: Does the taxpayer have any rights to appeal the tax lien and possibly have it lifted?

Byron Pedersen: In rare cases, a taxpayer may be confused with another taxpayer, at which point a Certificate of Non-Attachment may be filed. There are also instances where the IRS has failed to follow proper protocol in placing a lien against a taxpayer. Instant Tax Solutions can help a taxpayer get the lien withdrawn in these situations.




Instant Tax Solutions offers complaint tips when dealing with the IRS.

Having trouble with the IRS? Need to file a complaint? Instant Tax Solutions, a Post Falls based tax debt resolution firm says that dealing with the IRS can be frustrating but offers these tips:
Don’t try to call during the busy days – Monday and Friday. By the time you get an answer, you will have forgotten what you complaint was, says Instant Tax Solutions. Try calling after 1:00 on a Wednesday instead. For severe issues, Instant Tax Solutions says complaints should be e-mailed so as to leave a virtual paper trail, and to have reference materials in case your complaint is escalated to a higher dept.

 

 

Joe Zanotti on Israel: A Surprise Wine Country

Joe Zanotti

Joe Zanotti

It all began while Joe Zanotti was working in Israel. The wine aficionado was introduced to the wines of Israel, including Cabernets, Merlots, and other white wines. Finding that these wines were as good as those found in Napa and Sonoma, Joe Zanotti, a native of Pittsburgh, began researching the wines of Israel. He learned that the weather in the areas along Israel’s Mediterranean Sea, with its hot, dry days and cool nights, is ideal for growing quality grapes that create the best wines.

During his travels, Joe Zanotti also learned about Israel’s annual wine festival. The Israel Museum Wine Festival, held in Jerusalem, attracts people from all over the world to taste Israel’s wines. With award-winning wineries spread throughout Israel, wine lovers have long known about the excellent wines being produced in Israel’s northernmost region, says Joe Zanotti, with the Golan Heights releasing more than six million bottles per year.

Kyle Thomas Glasser Discusses His Work in Central America

Kyle Thomas Glasser

Kyle Thomas Glasser

For someone in his early 20s, traveling the world is a great opportunity. Traveling the world while helping others is life changing. Twenty-one-year-old Kyle Thomas Glasser made such a trip in May of 2010 when he headed to South America to help provide medical care to Costa Rica’s most impoverished areas. The medical student traveled as part of the International Service Learning Program, which helps give medical students experience while helping areas that normally do not receive proper medical care.

Some of the highlights of Kyle Thomas Glasser’s trip include a visit to an orphanage in Nicaragua, where the volunteers helped children by providing both medical attention and a boost to morale. Kyle Thomas Glasser also fondly recalls a visit to Project Abraham, where Glasser and other volunteers performed well-child visits and helped members of the church congregation by providing medical care. Since his trip, Kyle Thomas Glasser has continued helping children in his hometown in Georgia, providing math tutoring to students in need of aid.