Progesterone and Menopause

Menopause begins when the ovaries permanently halt egg production. Because of the accompanying cessation of menstruation, infertility follows and many women are beset by a range of unpleasant side effects.

On average, women reach menopause around the age of 52. During perimenopause, the stage occurring prior to menopause, women's ovaries begin to close down, significantly decreasing production of estrogen and progesterone. Women may begin to experience irregular periods and an array of other symptoms. As the ovaries slow and eventually halt progesterone production, infertility inevitably results.

In addition to pregnancy and menstruation, progesterone also affects the health of bones, the liver, and the immune system. When progesterone levels lower, the result is the symptoms of menopause.

Fluctuations of Progesterone During Menopause Stages

Although the levels of progesterone hormone in the body fluctuate daily, when menopause is getting closer, they begin a gradual decrease.

Premenopause (until approx. age 45). Progesterone levels will change according to the current menstrual cycle stage. On average, however, progesterone levels during premenopause are between eight and ten ng/ml (nanogram per milliliter). This level changes during ovulation and pregnancy, when progesterone hormone levels double.

Perimenopause (between ages 45 and 50). Progesterone levels begin to fall to levels between four and eight ng/ml. Perimenopause, however, is also a time of frequent and erratic changes in progesterone levels.

Menopause (between ages 50 and 60). Progesterone levels in menopausal women can range from a low of 0.1 - 8 ng/ml and a high of 10 - 16 ng/ml. This shift in progesterone levels can make menopause a very uncomfortable time for many women.

Postmenopause (approx. over age 60). Postmenopausal women have extremely low levels of progesterone because they are no longer menstruating. On average, the level of progesterone in postmenopausal women is 1 ng/ml.

Progesterone and Menopause Symptoms

Each menopausal stage features various signs and symptoms of progesterone imbalance. For example:

Premenopause (until approx. age 45). During premenopause, progesterone levels change depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

• During menstruation, women may experience increased libido due    to increased progesterone levels.
• When estrogen and progesterone levels are unstable, mood
   swings and/or depression may result.
• A progesterone deficiency (which leads to an estrogen
   dominance) can result in hair loss, memory loss, weight gain, and
   water retention.

Perimenopause (between ages 45 and 50). Perimenopause is a time when progesterone levels fluctuate frequently. Women may not realize that perimenopause has begun or understand why they are experiencing different symptoms. Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of progesterone imbalance.

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Night sweats and hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness and a loss of libido.
• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings and depression

Menopause (between ages 50 and 60). Symptoms begin to intensify with the onset of menopause. Those related to an imbalance of progesterone hormones are:

• Infertility.
• Osteoporosis.
• Uterine and/or gallbladder cancer.
• Depression, irritability, and anxiety.

Postmenopause (over age 60). Postmenopause is the stage when menstruation has stopped completely. Progesterone levels are very low during this period because the body is no longer preparing for pregnancy. Many women experience weight gain, night sweats, and hot flashes during postmenopause.

Menopause symptoms related to progesterone fluctuations can be very upsetting, especially if left untreated. Consequently, many women search for different ways to reduce the impact of progesterone imbalance. To read more a about them, please click on treatments for progesterone imbalance.

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