Progesterone has been suggested to increase serotonergic neurotransmission via the regulation of the expression of serotonin-related genes and proteins (Bethea et al., 2002; Smith et al., 2004; Sanchez et al., 2005).
Progesterone enhances GABA transmission and receptor activation, which explains why progesterone metabolites have an anti-anxiety effect and why decreased levels are seen in depression. The coordinated effect of progesterone following estrogen enhances serotonin synaptic activity.
Low levels of progesterone decrease serotonin, which can result in poor sleep and depression. Also, diminished amounts of progesterone prevent the balancing of the stimulating effects of estrogen and can lead to anxiety.. Learn more about progesterone therapy here.
We know that progesterone stimulates the production of GABA, which can help you sleep. But, GABA also helps to boost your mood, making you feel good and relaxed. When your progesterone levels drop, your GABA levels drop as well.
It plays an important role in brain function and is often called the “feel good hormone” because of its mood-enhancing and anti-depressant effects. Optimum levels of progesterone promote feelings of calm and well-being, while low levels can cause anxiety, irritability, and anger.
Progesterone acts as a natural antidepressant, enhances mood and relieves anxiety. It has a calming effect on the brain. It stimulates the brain's GABA receptors, the feel-good, calming neurotransmitters. So it is easy to understand why anxiety can surface when your progesterone levels are low.
A 2012 study showed that increased levels of progesterone you experience in the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle is usually accompanied by lower levels of aggression, irritability and fatigue (1). When fertilization doesn't occur your progesterone levels drop resulting in an imbalance of your sexual hormones.
Progesterone is warming, calming, anti-inflammatory and sleep-promoting. It's definitely a hormone that you want on board for overall health and wellness. Yet so many women suffer from low progesterone or other hormone imbalances that impact progesterone's benefits.
Progesterone can help increase your mood. Progesterone and mood go hand in hand. Progesterone acts as a natural antidepressant to lower anxiety, help with mood swings, and can even aid in relieving postpartum depression. Progesterone can relieve menopause symptoms.
Progesterone is usually soothing to mood but can sometimes cause anxiety.
Additionally, hormones such as Adrenal, Thyroid, and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels, and may explain why some women have premenstrual and menopausal mood problems.
Progesterone is a natural inhibitor of the release of serotonin and dopamine (happy hormones). When progesterone levels are low, mood and behavior is compromised causing anxiety.
Happiness hormones that the body is capable of producing by itself include: dopamine, which makes us feel good; serotonin, which reduces depression; and endorphins, which make us happy and thus help to reduce physical pain.
Progesterone also stimulates GABA, the feel-good/stay-relaxed neurotransmitter that's also affected by the thyroid. When progesterone levels drop, GABA levels can drop too leading to feelings of both anxiety and depression.
The brain is a site of synthesis, metabolism, and action of progesterone. Progesterone and its neuroactive metabolites have pleiotropic protective effects in neurons and glial cells including reduction of inflammation and reactive gliosis; and promoting neuroprotection and neurogenesis and myelin repair (Figure 2).
So too, hormone imbalances can also reduce or increase your anxiety. Progesterone, the female sex hormone, stimulates the part in the brain that is responsible to your fight-or-flight responses and may trigger your anxiety.
When progesterone levels are too low, it can lead to anxiety and other issues like depression, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Testosterone – Testosterone is a hormone primarily found in men, but both men and women have it.
When the body is under stress for extended periods, it works to produce higher levels of cortisol to counteract the stress effects. Progesterone is a precursor to cortisol. This means that progesterone is needed to form cortisol in the body, causing progesterone levels to decrease when cortisol levels rise.
Progesterone is also classified as a neurosteroid; it stimulates normal brain processes and helps the nervous system to function properly. It eases anxiety and promotes memory. Doctors recommend that Progesterone be taken before bed since it has a sedative effect and helps resume normal sleep cycles.
Progesterone levels begin to rise after ovulation through the end of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of high progesterone are similar to premenstrual syndrome and can include anxiety and agitation, bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, depression, fatigue, and weight gain.
Estrogen acts everywhere in the body, including the parts of the brain that control emotion. Some of estrogen's effects include: Increasing serotonin, and the number of serotonin receptors in the brain. Modifying the production and the effects of endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals in the brain.
Progesterone exerts a sleep induction or hypnotic effect and is a potent respiratory stimulant that has been associated to a decrease in the number of central and obstructive sleep apnea episodes in men.