Pregnenolone, a natural hormone produced primarily in the adrenal glands, brain and liver, is a precursor to many other essential hormones. For example, it’s a precursor to estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol.
Pregnenolone is the foundation for the body’s hormones. It plays a key role in maintaining overall hormonal balance, influencing mood, energy, stress response and cognitive function.
Pregnenolone cream is a popular topical supplement that helps restore hormonal balance in a convenient, easily absorbed form. As we age, natural hormone production declines, causing symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and hormonal imbalances.
Applying pregnenolone directly to the skin allows the body to absorb it and more effectively regulate levels. Pregnenolone cream can be a good option if you’re looking to support your hormonal health naturally.
You might also hear the term prenolone cream within this context. This is a similar product to the creams, which often serve the same purpose—delivering pregnenolone topically to support the hormonal needs of your body.
Understanding how pregnenolone cream works, its benefits, and how to use it properly are key to maximizing its effectiveness.
What Is Pregnenolone Cream?
Cream supplements offer a topical delivery method. With pregnenolone cream, the hormone is delivered directly into the bloodstream through the skin as an alternative to oral pregnenolone supplements, which have to pass through the digestive system. Then it has to go through the liver before it can enter the bloodstream.
Since the cream bypasses digestion, it’s a more direct and faster way to experience benefits like hormonal balance, better mental clarity and enhanced stress resilience.
Pregnenolone cream is similar but with a slightly different formulation.
Both products support hormonal balance and can be used in similar ways, but the specific concentrations or ingredients may vary depending on the brand. The terms are often used interchangeably, so choosing between the two relies on personal preference and specific product features.
Pregnenolone and Its Role in Steroid Hormones
Pregnenolone is often called the mother of all steroid hormones because it’s the precursor to almost all the human body’s steroid hormones.
Steroid hormones are critical for functions related to stress regulation, metabolism, immune function and sexual development.
Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol and can be classified into five main groups:
- Glucocorticoids like cortisol are involved in stress response and metabolism.
- Mineralocorticoids like aldosterone help regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance.
- Androgens like testosterone are steroid hormones that influence male traits and reproductive activity.
- Estrogens like estradiol are responsible for the development of female characteristics and reproductive health.
- Progestogens like progesterone play a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy.
Pregnenolone is synthesized from cholesterol in cells’ mitochondria. The body can produce various other steroid hormones from the precursor pregnenolone, depending on its specific needs. The steroid hormone pathway involves the following:
- Conversion to progesterone: First pregnenolone is converted to progesterone. Progesterone can further convert into other hormones like cortisol or aldosterone.
- Conversion to androgens: Pregnenolone can also be converted into androgens like DHEA, which is a precursor for testosterone and estrogen. These hormones help maintain reproductive health, muscle mass and overall vitality.
- Conversion to cortisol: Cortisol is produced from pregnenolone through the progesterone pathway. Cortisol is a stress hormone. It helps your body respond to physical and emotional stressors. Cortisol also helps reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar and control metabolism.
Pregnenolone and Hormone Therapy
Pregnenolone is increasingly being looked at as part of hormone therapy since it serves as a precursor hormone to so many others. Its use as hormone therapy could be especially relevant for someone seeking natural alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The benefits of using pregnenolone instead of other hormone therapies can include:
- Natural hormone balance: Unlike synthetic hormone therapies, pregnenolone lets the body naturally regulate its hormone production. Acting as a precursor supports the production of whatever hormone is deficient, so it’s a more flexible way to address a range of hormonal imbalances.
- Menopause symptom relief: Pregnenolone supplements can help alleviate menopause symptoms. These can include mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats and memory problems since it supports the production of both estrogen and progesterone.
- Cognitive and mood enhancement: As part of hormone therapy, pregnenolone can help improve mood by affecting the central nervous system and balancing hormones affecting neurotransmitters and mental clarity.
Conventional HRT medication usually involves the direct supplementation of prescription synthetic or bioidentical hormones like estrogen or testosterone to replace what the body isn’t producing anymore. The approach can be effective but also lead to adverse reactions and side effects like blood clots, breast cancer or cardiovascular disease, especially with long-term use.
Pregnenolone, by contrast, offers a more natural alternative. Rather than replacing specific hormones, pregnenolone supports the body’s natural ability to produce them, allowing for a more balanced, individualized approach.
Benefits of Pregnenolone Cream
Some of the reasons you might consider supplementing with pregnenolone cream applied topically include:
Adrenal Health and Stress Response
Since pregnenolone is a precursor to cortisol, the primary stress hormone, it plays a big role in the body’s stress response. Pregnenolone cream supports adrenal health by helping your body regulate cortisol production.
If you’re experiencing chronic stress or adrenal fatigue, a pregnenolone cream may restore balance and help you feel less overwhelmed.
Improving Cognitive Function and Memory
There are links between pregnenolone and brain health, especially in improving cognitive function and memory.
Studies suggest higher pregnenolone levels enhance mental clarity and learning ability.
By applying it as a cream, you could experience improved focus, sharper memory and better overall cognitive performance.
Help Balancing Hormones
One of the main benefits of pregnenolone cream is the ability to support the production of other essential hormones, including estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.
It’s especially useful if you’re experiencing hormonal imbalances like those that occur during menopause. Pregnenolone can help maintain delicate hormone balance, improve mood stability, reduce overall hormonal imbalance symptoms, and promote well-being. Balanced hormones may also modulate symptoms of mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Reduced Fatigue and More Energy
Low pregnenolone levels are associated with fatigue and a lack of energy.
Supplementing it with cream form improves your energy levels and helps you combat chronic tiredness and sluggishness.
Skin Benefits
Beyond the internal benefits, pregnenolone cream may also have external benefits for the skin. It’s associated with improved skin hydration and elasticity, so it may reduce signs of aging.
Immune System Benefits
Pregnenolone plays a role in the regulation and support of the immune system.
One key way it supports the immune system is through its anti-inflammatory properties. Pregnenolone is involved in cortisol production, and cortisol regulates inflammation in the body. Pregnenolone can modulate the body’s inflammatory response and prevent excessive inflammation that can lead to autoimmune reactions or chronic inflammation-related diseases.
It’s also an immune modulator, so it helps regulate and balance the immune system’s response to pathogens. It can stimulate and suppress certain immune responses when necessary to ensure the immune system is neither overactive nor underactive.
Pregnenolone helps balance the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These are proteins that signal immune cells to initiate inflammation. By moderating cytokine activity, pregnenolone can prevent your immune system from overdrive, often in chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.
Additionally, pregnenolone is a neurosteroid, meaning it directly impacts brain function, which is tied closely to immune health.
A well-regulated central nervous system helps control the release of hormones and immune responses throughout the body. Pregnenolone has been shown to influence the production of other neurosteroids like allopregnanolone, which modulates mood and stress. These are two factors with the potential to significantly impact immune health.
How to Use Pregnenolone Cream
Applying pregnenolone cream to the skin is fairly simple. You dispense a small amount on clean, dry skin. Common application areas include the inner forearms, thighs, neck, and abdomen. Because the skin is thinner in these areas, it can be more fully absorbed. Rub the cream into your skin until it’s absorbed fully, and rotate application sites to avoid overusing one area and ensure even absorption across skin areas.
Best Times to Use It (Morning or Night)
The ideal time to apply pregnenolone cream depends on your needs and goals. If you’re looking for cognitive clarity and energy-boosting effects, the cream should be used in the morning.
Apply it before bed to promote relaxation or support hormonal balance at night.
Some people find it helpful to apply the cream twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, for consistent results.
Recommended Dosage or Amount to Apply
A commonly recommended dosage for cream is around 5-10 mg of pregnenolone, typically equivalent to a pea-sized amount. However, you must follow the manufacturer’s or your healthcare provider’s dosage instructions.
Start with a lower dose. Gradually increase it to determine what’s right for you.
Considerations When Using Pregnenolone Cream
When using this cream, check the product label for specific usage guidelines. As is true with other hormonal supplements, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional before beginning regular use, especially if you’re nursing, pregnant or taking medications that could interact with pregnenolone.
Who Should Use Pregnenolone Cream?
Situations where pregnenolone could be useful include if you’re dealing with any of the following:
Hormonal Imbalance and Chronic Stress
People suffering from hormonal imbalances often experience symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood swings and weight gain. Pregnenolone cream can help restore normal hormone levels, relieving these symptoms. It can also be a great option if you’re dealing with chronic stress.
Stress depletes your body’s hormone reserves, especially cortisol, which pregnenolone helps replenish.
Using the cream can support adrenal function and reduce the effects of stress over time.
Aging Concerns
As we age, our natural production of hormones declines, leading to low energy, brain fog and changes in memory or mood.
Pregnenolone cream can help combat aging signs by supporting energy levels, mental clarity and vitality.
Older adults could also notice skin hydration and elasticity improvements when using the cream.
Other Groups That May Benefit from Topical Pregnenolone
These include:
- Menopausal women: Pregnenolone is a precursor to progesterone and estrogen, which are hormones that drop significantly during menopause. Women having symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and sleep disturbances may find relief by using this cream to support hormonal balance.
- People with adrenal fatigue: Those suffering from adrenal fatigue often have depleted pregnenolone levels because of chronic stress, so supplementing with a topical version can help restore adrenal health and reduce symptoms like irritability and tiredness.
- Individuals with cognitive concerns: Since pregnenolone supports brain health, if you’re struggling with mental fog, lapses in your memory or other signs of cognitive decline, you could benefit from regular use of the cream.
Comparing Cream to Oral Pregnenolone Supplements
When choosing between cream and oral pregnenolone supplements, it’s important to understand how each works in the body and the potential benefits and drawbacks. Both are effective at delivering pregnenolone but can vary in terms of absorption, side effects and ease of use.
Pregnenolone Cream: Pros and Cons
Pros of pregnenolone cream include:
- Direct absorption: The product bypasses the digestive system, directly absorbing through the skin and bloodstream. The hormone doesn’t have to be broken down in the liver first, which can lead to quicker results for many users.
- Gentler on the body: If you have liver issues or a sensitive digestive system, applying a cream can be gentler since it avoids the GI tract.
- Targeted use: Pregnenolone cream allows for a more targeted application if you have specific symptoms you want to manage.
- Fewer hormone spikes: Because the cream is absorbed through the skin, it may lead to more stable pregnenolone levels in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of hormonal spikes or crashes that can happen with oral supplements.
Cons of a cream delivery system for pregnenolone include:
- Inconsistent absorption: The rate at which the cream is absorbed through the skin varies from person to person, depending on factors like application location and skin type, so it’s harder to ensure consistent dosage levels.
- Requires regular applications: Since the cream needs to be applied daily and in different areas of the skin to prevent irritation, it may not be as convenient as an oral supplement.
- Potential for skin irritation: Some people experience allergies or skin irritation when using topical creams, especially if it contains additional preservatives or ingredients.
Oral Pregnenolone Supplements: Pros and Cons
The pros of sticking with an oral supplement include:
- Easier dosage control: Oral pregnenolone supplements come in pre-measured doses, so you know exactly how much you take for more precise hormone management than creams.
- Convenience: Oral pregnenolone can be less time-consuming and more convenient than a cream. You don’t have to worry about rotating skin application sites or absorption issues.
- Higher potency: Oral supplements are often more potent than creams, so if you need a higher dose of pregnenolone, this can be a consideration.
Downsides of taking an oral pregnenolone supplement can include:
- First-pass metabolism: A main downside of an oral supplement is that it has to go through the digestive system and liver before it can make its way into the bloodstream. The process is known as first-pass metabolism, and it can reduce the supplement’s effectiveness because some of the pregnenolone is broken down and lost.
- Possible hormonal spikes: Because oral pregnenolone enters the bloodstream faster after digestion, it can cause higher hormone level fluctuations and then side effects like mood swings or energy crashes.
- Potential for digestive issues: Some people may experience upset stomach, nausea or digestive discomfort when taking oral pregnenolone.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Choose pregnenolone cream if you want a gentle, direct-absorption method and you want to avoid digestive issues or liver processing. It’s a good choice if you want steady hormonal support and also if you want a targeted approach to address specific symptoms like imbalances related to menopause or skin issues.
Choose oral pregnenolone if you want a convenient option or if you need higher doses, especially if precise dosage control is a priority.
Side Effects, Precautions and Interactions
While pregnenolone cream is generally well-tolerated, some users may experience side effects, especially if the dosage is too high.
Skin irritation and mood swings can occur. Pregnenolone, since it affects hormone levels, could lead to mood shifts, including increased irritability. This risk is especially high when you’re just starting or adjusting your dosage.
Hormonal side effects can include:
- Changes in menstrual cycle, particularly if you’re in perimenopause or menopause. Pregnenolone can influence estrogen and progesterone levels, potentially causing heavier or lighter flows, irregular periods, or changes in cycle length.
- Testosterone fluctuations can occur, resulting in hair loss, acne or more facial or body hair growth in women.
- Changes in hormone levels can contribute to breast tenderness and discomfort, especially in women sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.
Given the impact of pregnenolone on hormone levels, please talk to a healthcare provider before using it. They can perform tests to determine if pregnenolone supplementation is right for you and recommend the correct dosage.
They can monitor for interactions with concurrent use, especially if you take medications affecting hormone levels like birth control or hormone replacement therapy. Pregnenolone may not be suitable for everyone, particularly if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as uterine cancer, breast cancer or prostate issues.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services that we trust and believe will add value to our readers. Your support helps keep this website running and allows us to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!"
