Progesterone in Women
There are many different hormones in the body, and each one plays an important part in daily performance and structural integrity. The role of progesterone in women is to help promote the production of other hormones:
- Cortisol
- DHEA
- Estrogen
- Testosterone.
In addition, progesterone helps to promote the following functions:
- Sexual desire
- Regulating thyroid hormone production
- Boosting immune system
- Conversion of fat to energy
- Blood sugar regulation
- Bone building
- Brain functions
- Initiating sleep
- Normalization of blood clotting
- Antidepressant and mood regulation
- Natural diuretic.
Although progesterone is mainly secreted by the ovaries, with a small amount coming from the adrenal glands and brain cells, it is not considered to be a sex hormone.
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Symptoms of Low Progesterone in Women
There are many ways that progesterone affects a woman’s body, and a deficiency can manifest itself in a variety of different symptoms. Below is a list of all possible progesterone deficiency symptoms in women:
- Weight gain – increased belly fat
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Low sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Anxiety, irritability
- Menstrual irregularities
- Signs of menopause or perimenopause
- Infertility
- Headaches, migraines
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Miscarriage
- Postpartum depression
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome – PCOS
- Fatigue
- Decreased bone density
- Imbalanced blood sugar
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Swelling of the ankles
- Decreased lean muscle
- Memory difficulties
- Cognitive impairment and poor focus
- Adult acne
- Thinning of the skin
- Increased body hair and male pattern balding
- Increased risk of cancer, artery, and heart diseases.
Any combination of these symptoms could signal progesterone deficiency in women.
What Should You Do if You Have Progesterone Deficiency?
The first thing to do if you suspect that you are dealing with low progesterone levels in your body is to contact a hormone replacement therapy specialist. Blood testing is required to determine if this deficiency is present. Hormone treatments should never be prescribed or used without first ascertaining that they are necessary. The balancing of hormone levels must be done by an experienced medical professional to ensure that the proper dosage is being prescribed and used in order to avoid any potential adverse reactions.
The next thing to do is to take a look at the chemicals entering your body through lifestyle and environmental means. A class of chemicals called Xenoestrogens is often found in foods, cosmetics, shampoos, cleaning supplies, and plastics can contribute to declining progesterone levels. Reducing the toxic chemicals entering your body by doing online research and reading product labels can be beneficial to your overall health.
How to Improve Progesterone Levels
The best way to improve progesterone levels in women is through the use of doctor prescribed supplemental progesterone. On official site National HRT we can find out how hormone replacement specialists prescribe only natural progesterone and not synthetic progestins that can increase the risk of cancer, stroke, and blood blots. Natural progesterone is biologically identical to the natural hormone found in the body.
It is also beneficial to consider the following vitamin and mineral supplements:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Zinc
- Magnesium
At National HRT, arrange for blood analysis at labs throughout the US, enabling clients to get tested for hormonal deficiencies right away for a rapid diagnosis. Physical examination is required before treatment can begin, and many people opt to visit their own health care providers for this exam. Others choose the convenience and low cost of a walk-in clinic.
Please do not hesitate to call for your free consultation if you suspect any type of hormone deficiency or imbalance. The sooner that we can provide diagnosis and treatment, the sooner you will see the positive results.