PROGESTERONE

One of the major players in processes typically thought of as "female", including pregnancy, progesterone is an important naturally-produced hormone. As women age, progesterone and its delicate relationship with estrogen can be thrown into disarray. To learn more about progesterone and the effects of progesterone imbalance, keep reading.

About Progesterone

Women encountering pregnancy, perimenopause, or other hormonal times of interest may experience fluctuating progesterone levels. To cope with this it is helpful to learn about progesterone itself.

What is Progesterone?

A steroid hormone, progesterone is produced in the ovaries, the placenta, and the adrenal glands. It belongs to a class of hormones known as progestogens, and is synthesized, like other hormones, from pregnenolone, a derivative of cholesterol.

Role of Progesterone

Below are some of the most important functions that progesterone plays within the body.

Role During PregnancyOther Effects of Progesterone
• Converts endometrium to secretory stage. • Thickens cervical mucus. • Decreases maternal immune response. • Decreases contractibility of uterine muscle. • Inhibits lactation during pregnancy. • Facilitates onset of labor.	• Helps to synthesize fat into energy. • Acts as an antidepressant. • Acts as a diuretic. • Helps with blood clotting. • Regulates blood sugar levels. • Stimulates bone building . • Restores intercellular oxygen levels.

Click on the link to read more about progesterone. To learn how to identify low and high progesterone levels read on.

Progesterone Levels

It is important to know what levels of progesterone are considered normal for a woman going through menopause in order to find the right treatments for the uncomfortable side effects which a woman may experience. To learn more about progesterone levels keep reading.

Period of a Woman's Life Progesterone Levels(ng/ml)
Reproductive era	8 - 10
During normal ovulation	20
During pregnancy	16
Menopause (low levels)	0.1 - 8
Menopause (high levels)	10 - 16
Post menopause	1

Testing of Progesterone Levels

A simple blood sample can be analyzed in a lab to find out if a woman is suffering from a progesterone imbalance.

What's Normal?

There are some levels which health professionals would look for in order to diagnose a progesterone imbalance. The table at the left depicts different levels of progesterone corresponding to different periods in a woman's life.

Low Progesterone Levels

During a normal menstrual cycle progesterone levels are likely to fluctuate quite a lot and low progesterone levels usually occur during the follicular phase.

High Progesterone Levels

High levels of progesterone are likely to occur during a woman's reproductive years. They are especially high during pregnancy when levels are usually monitored closely.

Click on the links to learn more about low progesterone levels and high progesterone levels. To understand more about the symptoms for high and low progesterone levels keep reading below.

Symptoms of Progesterone Imbalance

The symptoms of hormonal imbalance are often the first clue that a woman is suffering from menopause and if identified correctly, they can be treated with ease. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of both low and high progesterone levels.

Symptoms of Low Progesterone Levels

A lowered level of progesterone in the body can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms as the table below demonstrates.

Psychological SymptomsPhysical Symptoms
• Anxiety. • Irritability. • Sleep Disturbances. • Mood Swings. • Memory Problems.	• Fluid accumulation in extremities. • Headaches. • Premenstrual Syndrome. • Difficulty with conception.

Click on the following link to learn more about the symptoms of low progesterone levels. To gain knowledge of the causes and treatments of menopause symptoms keep reading.

Symptoms of High Progesterone Levels

Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of high progesterone levels:

• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Mood Swings
• Sedation
• Loss of Libido
• Vaginal Dryness

Click on the following link to learn more about the symptoms of high progesterone levels. To discover more about the symptoms of low progesterone levels, keep reading.

Causes of Progesterone Imbalance

There are several factors which can cause low and high progesterone levels and the symptoms which have already been mentioned. To learn more, keep reading.

Causes of Low Progesterone Levels

A number of factors can lead to low levels of progesterone, the main ones are:

. Stress.
. Exposure to synthetic substances e.g. drinking out of plastic bottles.
. Synthetic progestins sold by prescription.

Causes of High Progesterone Levels

For women of menopausal age, high progesterone levels can be a natural byproduct of the aging process and the decrease in estrogen that accompanies it. Hormone levels throughout the body can also be affected by the physical state of a woman. This includes,

. Age
. Fitness level
. Medication (specifically hormone based medication such as the
   contraceptive pill or HRT treatment)

Click on the links to learn more about the causes of low progesterone levels and the causes of high progesterone levels. Keep reading to learn more about possible treatment options to assuage the side effects of this progesterone imbalance.

Progesterone Imbalance Treatments

Fortunately there are a variety of treatment options available to ease the transition through menopause, keep reading below to learn more about them.

Natural Progesterone Treatments

Progesterone- Boosting Foods Hormone Balancing Herbs
• Avocado • Raw nuts and seeds • Olives • Salmon and Tuna	• Dong Quai • Wild yams • Macafem • Licorice

There are a number of natural progesterone treatments available as shown in the table at the right.

Progesterone Replacement Therapy

It`s possible to introduce foreign progesterone into the body through a variety of methods. Hormone replacement therapy has been the commonly accepted means, though its usage has decreased in recent years due to studies linking it with heart disease and cancer.

A combination of approaches is usually the most effective route to take. Lifestyle changes combined with alternative medicine will most likely be the best way to alleviate hormonal imbalance.

Use the following link to learn more about progesterone imbalance treatments.