Low levels of progesterone can cause irregular menstrual periods, spotting and headaches, and could affect your ability to get pregnant.
Causes of Low Progesterone
Obesity, chronic stress and a poor diet can contribute to low progesterone, but there are also other causes, including: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Low progesterone production (or formally termed, luteal phase deficiency) is treatable. There are multiple ways your doctor can treat ovulatory disorders or insufficient ovulation (luteal phase deficiency).
During peri-menopause, the first hormone that decreases is usually progesterone. This can lead to estrogen dominance, a common symptom of which is weight gain, causing you to store more fat around your stomach area.
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.
While low progesterone is common, there are plenty of ways to measure and treat it! Understanding your progesterone levels is key to getting pregnant faster.
For people with low progesterone levels, doctors can prescribe progesterone supplements, such as Crinone or Prometrium. Progesterone supplements can come in capsule, gel, suppository, or injectable forms.
If you have signs of progesterone deficiency, you can supplement with B6 and increase the amount of B6-rich foods in your diet. All B vitamins help your body to metabolize the nutrients in the food you eat, as well as break down fats and proteins. However, B6 is particular important for hormonal health.
Diminished estrogen also causes irritability and mood swings in women which furthers exhaustion. Too little progesterone is also linked to fatigue in women. The progesterone decreases sex drive and results in an overall less optimistic outlook. This anxiety or depression brings with it fatigue.
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. Low progesterone can lead to feelings of anxiety, sadness, or depression.
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.
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.
As we get older, our progesterone levels decrease as well. If you are above the age of 35 and experience irregular cycles, short luteal phases, or other symptoms, it might be a good idea to get your progesterone levels tested (more on this later!). It is common during perimenopause progesterone levels are deficient.
What vitamin raises progesterone? Vitamin C is your answer! Vitamin C has been shown to increase progesterone levels with one study (4) showing that those who took 750mg of vitamin C per day, increased their progesterone levels by 77%! Citrus fruits and peppers contain some of the highest levels of vitamin C.
In particular, symptoms of low progesterone (a hormone produced by the ovaries) may include [1, 2, 3, 4]: Poor sleep quality and fatigue. Mood-related premenstrual syndrome symptoms (particularly anxiety and depression) Premenstrual bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness.
Progesterone levels do decrease with age. Progesterone levels begin declining in your late 20s, decrease significantly after age 30, and are nearly nonexistent by menopause.
Finally, progesterone has been linked to the famous “pregnancy glow.” Progesterone increases sebum (oil) production in skin, which can bring that nice shiny glow. Another study showed natural progesterone could be an effective option to help slow the natural process of aging.
Estrogen promotes storing energy as fat in certain parts of your body whereas progesterone supports the metabolism of stored fat so that you burn it as energy.
Progesterone and your monthly cycle
Your progesterone levels are usually highest in week three of your cycle. This can make you feel more tired. But you might notice that you're sleeping better, which can boost your energy levels. In week four of your cycle, your progesterone levels fall.