3 Reasons for Low Progesterone
Low progesterone is becoming an epidemic that causes emotional, physical and mental problems with both men and women. Low progesterone is one of the main causes of PMS, irregular periods and fertility problems.
There are many reasons for low progesterone but in this video, I have identified three main reasons for ever lowering progesterone levels in women.
What is progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone in both men and women. It is synthesised from pregnenolone in the corpus luteum during a female’s luteal phase. It’s also produced in high amounts in the placenta during pregnancy, the baby is literally bathing in Progesterone during gestation.
Progesterone is synthesised in the adrenal glands. Androgens and mineralocorticoids act as a precursor.
It is a calming hormone that helps you sleep, keeps you feeling calm and centred. It helps to regulate your metabolism, and it’s a hormone that helps to balance out cholesterol.
Really, it’s a wonder hormone with vital importance.
Signs of low Progesterone
Headaches
Nausea
Mood swings
Anger
Difficulty coping with stress
Cramps
Tender breasts
Agitation
Irritability
Decreased stamina
Persistent egg white discharge
Pain
Nerve pain
Keratosis pilaris
Hypothyroidism
Elevated Cholesterol
Premature ageing
Greying hair
Premature balding in men
Bone loss
IBS
Ectopic Pregnancy
Possible link with autism
Ther are many reasons that progesterone might below and it is normal for it to decline in women post 35. Simple things like low B6, not sleeping, contraception, pregnancy, hypothyroidism all cause problems.
Below I discuss three main factors that cause progesterone levels to fall.
1) Not Ovulating
If you are not ovulating, then a corpus luteum is not being formed. This means Progesterone will not be synthesised during the luteal phase of your cycle.
Signs of not ovulating
Long Cycle 35 days +
Low basal body temperature during Luteal Phase (cold hands and feet)
Holding onto fluid luteal phase
Sodium retention
Anxiety & Insomnia during the luteal phase
Anger and rage during the luteal phase
Consistent egg white mucus / no egg white mucus (progesterone dries you up)
2) Stress
Our bodies are hard-wired to react to a stressful occurrence. This is called fight or flight. Our body goes into sympathetic nervous system mode and produces adrenalin and cortisol. This tends to deplete and suppress Progesterone.
Fight flight is ok if it occurs every so often but in modern-day life, so many people are in flight fight as a way of being. Chronic stress over time depletes Progesterone. Leaving cortisol, and adrenalin elevated most of the time.
Signs of elevated cortisol and adrenalin
Cold hands and feet
Constipation
Fogginess
Anxiety
Insomnia
Water retention
Salt cravings
Feeling thirsty all the time
3) Blood Sugar Problems
Blood sugar fluctuations cause so much havoc with your hormones. When blood sugar drops, adrenalin and cortisol surge. This surge depletes Progesterone.
Hyperinsulinemia plunders your hormones as it causes preferential conversion issues. With high insulin, Progesterone is more likely to be converted to testosterone.
The more Progesterone is converted, the fewer stores for your own hormone balance.
Signs of blood sugar issues
Skin tags
Cravings sugar and cards
Keratosis Pilaris
Waking at 3 am
Constant urination
Feeling thirsty
Anger and irritability
Feeling hangry
Hair loss
Facial hair on the face
Supporting your body through reducing stress, regulating blood sugar and supporting healthy ovulation are steps you can take to boost your progesterone levels. For more on balancing progesterone
For more on how to boost ovulation please head over to this post.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029784499002665
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04409.x
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002937889908661
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987714000024