Progesterone: the Queen of Hormones

I don't like to play favourites with my hormones, but if I had to choose one it would be progesterone. Think of progesterone as your calming, happiness-promoting, chill vibes-inducing hormone. 

It boosts thyroid function, increases energy, promotes healthy skin, lightens our periods, improves sleep, builds strong bones and muscles, improves mood and promotes healthy hair. Unfortunately, progesterone is also the most common sex hormone to be deficient in women.

Progesterone is made after ovulation and is the dominant hormone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. Most of it is produced by the corpus luteum (what's left of the egg after it has been ovulated) and it is largely responsible for maintaining a pregnancy. If you are not pregnant, progesterone levels should drop by the end of your cycle and trigger your period.

Progesterone is very protective against reproductive cancers and unpleasant period problems because it functions to balance out estrogen. For optimal health, we want to avoid estrogen existing in an unopposed state, which is why having healthy progesterone levels (the natural opposition to estrogen) is so important for hormonal health. 

So why would we have low progesterone levels? The most common reason is a lack of ovulation. This can happen naturally as a result of the menopausal transition, or it can be due to stress, under-eating, high testosterone levels, thyroid problems, over-exercising and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, amongst several other causes. 

Low progesterone is the most common contributor to menstrual irregularities and period problems, which is why I often test the progesterone levels of my patients. Striking a balance between estrogen and progesterone is the key to a happy and healthy hormonal life. 

Do you know what your progesterone levels are?

With warmth,