Progesterone Deficiency

 

Although the traditional definition of menopause is 12 months without a period, hormone loss can start 10-15 years before this happens. Testosterone starts declining first, and then progesterone. Estrogen is the last to go and is often signaled by the infamous “hot flash” we’ve all heard about.

Most women start feeling differently from their younger selves in their 40’s when progesterone starts declining. But even young women can have decreased progesterone which can manifest as PMS (premenstrual syndrome), often associated with stress or hormonal birth control. The most common symptoms of decreased progesterone include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Osteoporosis
• Pain and inflammation (aching joints, back)
• Increasing HDL cholesterol
• Excessive menstruation
• Weight gain or inability to lose weight.
• Fibroids
• Fibrocystic disease of the breast
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Gas
• Snoring
• Migraine headaches

There are other causes of decreased progesterone besides decreased production. These include:

• Stress
• Antidepressants
• Sugar
• Saturated fats
• Deficiency of vitamins A, B6, C, and Zinc
• Decreased thyroid hormone
• Taking progestins (a synthetic progesterone) in birth control pills and birth control devices, or in Prempro (synthetic hormone replacement)

Natural bioidentical (same molecular structure as in the human body) progesterone

has many beneficial effects including:

• A calming effect
• Helps sleep
• Balances estrogen
• Lowers blood pressure
• Helps the body metabolize fats
• Lowers cholesterol
• Increases scalp hair
• Is a natural diuretic
• Is a natural antidepressant
• Increases metabolic rate

 

If are experiencing the symptoms of progesterone deficiency, it is important to be tested by a knowledgeable physician to see if you need replacement. Natural bioidentical progesterone replacement may be all you need to start feeling yourself again.