Progesterone is the hormone that helps us feel good. It is an anti-inflammatory that protects multiple organs from the uterus to the brain. Progesterone’s primary role however is to support the female reproductive system and enhance the reproductive system. It is produced primarily in the ovaries in the second half of the cycle and helps prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg. If fertilization occurs, it then helps maintain the pregnancy by supporting the growth of the placenta. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels drop about 10 days after ovulation triggering menstruation.
Progesterone has many other functions of which a few are mentioned below:
- Progesterone protects the health of our breasts, brain, bones, heart, and more. It does far more in the body than just protecting the uterus.
- Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain and helps us get to sleep. It also has powerful anti-anxiety benefits by attaching to GABA-calming receptors in the brain.
- Progesterone helps keep estrogen balanced, reducing the risk of ovarian cysts, fibroids, PMS (irritability), tender breasts and headaches, heavy bleeding, and spotting.
- While progesterone balances estrogen, it also has the role of up-regulating estrogen receptors, which helps estrogen perform better.
It is not uncommon for progesterone to become deficient. It can start to drop from the age of 35 years, showing how the ovaries are the first organ in the body to show the effects of ageing. By the time a woman is peri-menopausal (usually experienced as hot flushes and brain fog in your late forties), progesterone levels can be extremely low and certainly needs support. One of the most common ways for progesterone to dip prematurely is due to chronic stress.
Why might progesterone be low?
- High estrogen – estrogen and progesterone are in a yin-yang balance and so if the estrogen is high, you may experience symptoms of low progesterone.
- High cortisol/high stress. Stress tends to burn progesterone out and can commonly result in missed periods, and worsened PMS (irritability in the few days before your period).
- Low cholesterol – progesterone (like estrogen, testosterone and other steroid hormones) is made from cholesterol. Low blood cholesterol can result in a low ability to produce progesterone.
- Free radicals/inflammation
- Pre-menopause/ peri-menopause. Progesterone is one of the first hormones to drop in the menopausal years and one of the first that should be replaced.
- Hypothyroid – an underactive thyroid can result in low progesterone, PMS symptoms and heavy periods.
Symptoms of low progesterone in midlife:
- Spotting throughout the month
- Heavy bleeding
- Menstrual irregularities
- Male pattern balding
- Anxiety/depression
- Fibroids
- Breast /ovarian cysts
- Trouble falling asleep
- Sore swollen breasts
- PMS
Ways to boost progesterone
- Stress Management (breath work, meditation)
- Consider herbal progesterone supplements in the form of: black cohosh, wild yam, evening primrose oil, maca root and ashwagandha.
- Choose bioidentical progesterone cream or capsules.
Start low and go slow
From the above, we can see just how important progesterone is in the female body. It does so much more than just protect the uterus and provides anti-inflammatory relief and balance in multiple organs from the brain to the joints. We should be aware of the symptoms that suggest that we are progesterone deficient and at that stage talk to the team at IHA about potential progesterone support.
