Progesterone helps thin the uterine lining and prevents endometrial hyperplasia (a uterine lining that's too thick). Doing so helps reduce the risk of developing endometrial, or uterine, cancer. There's also evidence that taking estrogen and progesterone together may reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer.
Low progesterone may cause irregular or absent menstrual cycles, mood changes (particularly anxiety or depression), hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and headaches or migraines in women who aren't pregnant.
The administration of 200 mg/day progesterone over 12 days of a menstrual cycle or a daily administration of 100 mg combined with an estrogen are a safe and well-tolerated option to treat menopausal symptoms, with a better benefit risk profile compared to synthetic gestagens.
While progesterone doesn't directly cause weight gain, it does increase your hunger levels which may make you feel like you're eating more and therefore gaining weight. But progesterone is just a small player in hormone balance and weight management. There are other hormone imbalances that may cause weight gain.
The bottom line
Progesterone is often combined with estrogen to treat the symptoms of menopause. In combination, these two hormones can reduce the hot flashes, night sweats, and other side effects of menopause. Progesterone thins the uterine lining, helping to prevent the development of endometrial cancer.
The progesterone stimulates the skin to grow thicker and become more elastic. While it will not fill in deep creases or wrinkles, it does a very nice job of filling or at least softening, the fine wrinkles that usually appear in middle-age.
Systemic estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for the relief of troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. Have other symptoms of menopause. Estrogen can ease vaginal symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort with intercourse.
In all these effects note that progesterone does not directly cause weight loss. Instead it reduces the effect of other hormones in the body which are causing the weight gain. Think of it as allowing rather than causing the body to lose weight.
Does Progesterone cause belly fat? Although progesterone doesn't cause belly fat, one of the side effects of progesterone can be weight gain. As we age, hormonal disruptions like progesterone levels dropping faster than estrogen levels can impact belly fat too.
In other words, bioidentical progesterone triggers a metabolic response allowing weight loss to occur. When progesterone is added back into the body via bioidentical progesterone cream, it acts as a natural diuretic, thereby reducing the bloating.
As women age and their levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, they'll start to experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, changes in mood, and bodily temperature among other signs. Decreasing testosterone levels in men might cause depression, decreased libido, and decreased muscle mass.
Using large doses of this medicine over a long period of time and using it with an estrogen medicine may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or dementia. Talk with your doctor about these risks. Your risk of heart disease or stroke from this medicine is higher if you smoke.
If you still have your uterus:
Progesterone is used along with estrogen. Taking estrogen without progesterone increases your risk for cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). During your reproductive years, cells from your endometrium are shed during menstruation.
The most noticeable manifestation of low progesterone levels is irregular periods and short cycles, but sometimes symptoms like premenstrual spotting may appear. Other symptoms may include mood changes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Progesterone affects the regulation of fluid levels in the body.
It depends on your situation. Not all women need, want or are candidates for estrogen therapy. Estrogen can reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. If you have a uterus, you'll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen.
At puberty, oestrogen and progesterone are responsible for the development of typically 'female' characteristics, such as wider hips and larger breasts, largely by changing the way fat is distributed.
Women take progesterone by mouth for inducing menstrual periods; and treating abnormal uterine bleeding associated with hormonal imbalance, and severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Progesterone is also used in combination with the hormone estrogen to "oppose estrogen" as part of hormone replacement therapy.
Progesterone can increase your energy levels. It does this by stimulating the thyroid and speeding up metabolism. Adequate progesterone levels are essential for a healthy sex drive. As progesterone levels change during your cycle, it can affect your sex drive.
Estrogen and Progesterone
These hormones also help with hair growth. Estrogen and progesterone can help keep your hair in the growing (anagen) phase. Therefore, these hormones can help your hair stay on your head longer and may even help your hair grow faster.
Medications like progesterone may cause abnormal blood clotting. This may cut off the blood supply to the brain, heart, lungs, or eyes and cause serious problems. Call your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above as serious side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Symptoms can linger for a lifetime. And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of bone loss speeds up, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.
By supplementing your body's natural hormone levels, HRT can help you maintain a more youthful body composition. While this effect is particularly evident in men, research suggests that women can also benefit. HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look.
Nutrition after menopause
Before menopause, you should have about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. After menopause, you should have up it to1,200 mg of calcium per day. Vitamin D is also very important for calcium absorption and bone formation. Vitamin D can greatly cut your risk of spinal fractures.
Progesterone: Increases elasticity and firmness of the skin. Maintains skin hydration. When balanced with estrogen levels, it can help estrogen function more effectively.