How Do My Progesterone Hormone Levels Fluctuate During My Lifetime?

Progesterone is a hormone produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland. It is normal for progesterone levels to fluctuate frequently during a woman’s lifetime, as the hormone is affected by ovulation, pregnancy and menopausal changes. Progesterone levels are at their lowest in young girls and menopausal women. They reach their highest levels during ovulation or pregnancy. Keep reading below to learn more about the role of progesterone during a woman’s major life stages.

Progesterone Creates Fertile Soil During Ovulation

In the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, progesterone levels rise and secrete special proteins in the uterus. These special proteins signal the uterus to prepare for a fertilized egg during ovulation. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels decrease, signaling the body to discard the egg and allow menstruation to occur.

Thus in premenopausal women, progesterone levels fluctuate over the course of the menstrual cycle. On average, progesterone levels are between 8-10 ng/ml (nanogram per milliliter).

Placenta Progesterone Production During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, progesterone levels are approximately 10 times higher in a woman than when she is not pregnant. This is because the placenta produces high levels of progesterone from the end of the first trimester through the rest of pregnancy. A drop in progesterone levels is one signal the body gives to induce labor.

On The Verge of Extinction: Low Progesterone Levels During Menopause

During menopause, the production of essential reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone slows dramatically. This drop in progesterone levels result in many symptoms: loss of libido, mood swings, osteoporosis, night sweats, hot flashes and increased risk of endometrial cancer.

Too Much Of A Good Hormone: High Progesterone Levels During Menopause

While progesterone levels may become dangerously low during menopause, this can also swing to higher levels in the premenopausal phase. Symptoms of high progesterone levels include breast tenderness, anxiety, bloating, weight gain and urinary infections.

Progesterone and Post Menopause

Women who have reached the post menopause phrase can expect to have extremely low levels of progesterone due to the fact that they are no longer menstruating. Low levels of progesterone indicate infertility, and can also lead to weight gain.

Recommendation

The symptoms caused by a progesterone imbalance can lead to serious discomfort for women in any stage of their life. You should consult with your doctor if you think you’re suffering from progesterone imbalance to avoid any serious health risks. Click here to read more about different treatments for progesterone imbalance.