Progesterone Deficiency

Progesterone is a steroidal hormone that plays a large role in menstruation and pregnancy. It is a chemical messenger that informs different cells in the body how to act.

Consequently, it is essential that women have normal progesterone levels so that their bodies are able to run correctly. Progesterone levels change throughout the day and vary depending on pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause. Thus, it is surprisingly easy for women to become progesterone deficient.

What is Progesterone Deficiency?

Progesterone deficiency occurs when estrogen is produced but there is no ovulation. As a result, there is too much estrogen and  not enough progesterone.

Progesterone deficiency can be caused by poor diet and exercise, stress, and anxiety. An unhealthy body is less able to run efficiently.

Progesterone Deficiency Tests

Testing for progesterone deficiency is simple and fast, with results typically available within twenty-four hours.

For most women, one blood test is sufficient to measure progesterone deficiency. However, if a woman wishes to have a more comprehensive test, several tests can be performed over a period of a few days. This provides a clearer picture of progesterone fluctuations over time.

A saliva test is also often used to measure progesterone levels. A test that measures progesterone levels in saliva calculates the progesterone hormones that are not being used. It is helpful for evaluating how much progesterone is being made in the ovaries, or for comparing the individual progesterone levels of two women.

Progesterone Deficiency Symptoms

There are various progesterone deficiency/estrogen dominance symptoms:

• Absence of menstruation.
• Loss of libido.
• Mood swings.
• Osteoporosis.
• Increased risk of endometrial cancer.
• Night sweats and hot flashes.
• Breast tenderness.
• Gum disease (i.e., gingivitis).

Visit the different sections about progesterone

Read up-to-date articles about Progesterone