The Importance of Progesterone: Why This Hormone is Needed and Used at All Ages

When discussing women’s hormones, estrogen often gets the most attention, but progesterone is just as vital for health. The hormone that is referred to as the ‘balancing hormone’ is progesterone, and this is because it has many roles, including in menstrual health, fertility, mood stabilization, and sleep regulation. Although it is most commonly linked with pregnancy, progesterone is vital for all women regardless of their age.

Role of Progesterone at Different Ages

Premenopause (Child Bearing Years)
In the case of women of childbearing age, progesterone helps in the control of the menstrual cycle, supports the ovulation process, and aids in mood regulation, and sleep. Low progesterone may lead to PCOS, irregular menstruation, mood swings, and infertility. Proper progesterone levels are important to help regulate the menstrual cycle and counterbalance the effects of estrogen.

Perimenopause (The Menopause Transition)
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause and it may start in a woman’s 40s, but sometimes earlier. Some of the symptoms that may occur because of the fluctuations and decline of progesterone at this stage include:
✔ Irregular menstrual periods
✔ Anxiety and mood swings
✔ Insomnia and poor-quality sleep
✔ Migraines or headaches
✔ Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods as a result of estrogen prevalence

This is because, in perimenopause, ovulation is not as frequent, and therefore, progesterone production is reduced to combat the effects of estrogen. This is why women have worse PMS and more symptoms of estrogen dominance.

Menopause (The Termination of the Menstrual Cycle)
Menopause is defined as the failure to menstruate for one year. This is because at this stage, progesterone levels have fallen substantially and this may cause:
✔ Flashes and night sweats
✔ Sleep problems
✔ Anxiety or mood swings

Postmenopause (After Menopause)
In postmenopause, the level of progesterone is low and although the level of estrogen keeps on decreasing, the balance between these two hormones is still important. Some of the symptoms that may still occur due to low progesterone include:
✔ Insomnia
✔ Anxiety or depression
✔ Mood swings

However, for some women, HRT may be recommended to relieve certain symptoms, and some lifestyle changes can help with hormone balance.

How to Help Support Progesterone Levels Naturally

As such, progesterone levels are not fixed and can be influenced by the following lifestyle changes:
Eat a Hormone-Supporting Diet: Some of the foods that help in hormone balance include green vegetables, nuts, and lean meats such as chicken and fish.
Stress Control: Stress is known to increase the levels of cortisol, which in turn decreases the levels of progesterone. Some of the ways of managing stress include meditation, exercise, and breathing techniques.
Healthy Living: Exercise and being in good shape are also good for hormones.
BHRT Progesterone Support: In cases where women have very low levels, oral progesterone or creams may be prescribed.

Progesterone is vital for women’s health at all ages. Whether you are of childbearing age, in perimenopause, or postmenopause, proper progesterone levels are vital for health. If you think that you have a hormonal imbalance, then you should seek the help of a hormone specialist to find out how to balance the hormones and improve your health.