Why Does Progesterone Matter?

Because progesterone levels drop before estrogen levels, there can be an imbalance for 15 years (or more) in some women. It is this difference that contributes to PMS and perimenopause changes we come to loathe.

You may be familiar with the term 'estrogen dominance' (it's often with its buddies menopause, hot flashes, and that particular kind of rage). It refers to a shift in the balance between estrogen and progesterone. Think of a teeter-totter with estrogen on one side and progesterone on the other. When progesterone starts to drop — often in the mid-30s onwards — that balance shifts.

When it comes to those uncomfortable changes, well, we could just list them, but we thought we would make them more palatable with this...

Ode To Progesterone

You might be missing more than three periods in a row,

You might have mood swings that make you say 'whoa',

Hair loss, irritability and weight gain?

Trust us, vaginal dryness is the real pain!

Feeling sad? Feeling mad?

Want to kill the next person who says

'hot flashes aren't that bad'?

Heavy periods, no wait, now they're light…

You'd feel better if you could sleep through the night.

You can't concentrate, nor can you pee,

and now you're starting to moan,

Well, one piece of the puzzle is progesterone.

Wouldn't that make a great jingle for a progesterone super-heroine?

Progesterone is what is known as a steroid hormone. In women, it is made primarily in the ovaries. Progesterone is released throughout your monthly cycle, surging after ovulation and through the second half. One of progesterone's roles is to slow the growth of the uterine lining and direct it to mature into a dense, nutritious mass.

Without adequate progesterone, estrogen continues to send a signal to the uterine lining to grow. This shift in balance is associated with changes in menstrual comfort and regularity.

What Is Progesterone Associated With?

Progesterone plays a number of roles in the body that go well beyond the monthly cycle. Research suggests it is involved in:

- Supporting more restful, comfortable nights

- Supporting comfortable metabolic function as part of overall hormonal balance

- Contributing to overall hormonal harmony

- Playing a role in how estrogen activity is balanced in breast tissue

- Being associated with a more settled, comfortable mood

- Supporting a calmer emotional baseline and reduced irritability

- Being linked to scalp hair comfort during hormonal shifts

Progestins vs. Progesterone: Not the Same Thing

Before you go searching for every type of progesterone product on the market, remember: balance is the goal. Too much can cause excessive sleepiness, weight gain, increased acne, facial hair, headaches, and breast tenderness.

An important thing to know: progestins are not the same as progesterone. Progestins are synthetic compounds with a different molecular structure to the hormone your body makes. Synthetic progestins are found in some birth control pills and synthetic hormone replacement options. They do not have the same profile as bioidentical progesterone and carry their own set of considerations.¹

If you are on hormone replacement and unsure whether it is bioidentical or not, check the label. If it lists progestins or progestogens (or esterified estrogens, in the case of estrogen replacement), the product is not bioidentical.

Progesterone is worth understanding — for your own body, and for conversations with your healthcare provider. The more you know, the better equipped you are to ask the right questions.

This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are noticing changes in your body or have questions about your health, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

¹ Not all hormone replacement options are bioidentical. If you are on hormone replacement and want to understand what you are taking, ask your healthcare provider or check the product label for progestins or progestogens — these indicate a synthetic formulation, not a bioidentical one.