Seven Symptoms of Low Progesterone in Women

Reaching a hormonal balance can often be a struggle for females. Each month, our hormones experience highs and lows, and these patterns result in different symptoms: acne, anxiety, irritability, or migraines, just to name a few. Then, we hit menopause, and it can sometimes feel like our hormones are against us! Stop the madness — what is normal? WHY are we feeling these things? WHY do some women stay even while other women's symptoms are so extreme?

It is all about hormonal balance. Your hormones are like a symphony and must work together to help support you throughout the month. Progesterone and estrogen are the two major female hormones that fluctuate throughout your cycle. In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone levels rise after ovulation to sustain the lining of the uterus which thickens each month for a potential pregnancy. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone levels then drop which stimulates your cycle. One common imbalance women can experience is low progesterone.

Before we cover the signs of low progesterone in women, learn more about the role of this hormone in your body:

What Is Progesterone?

In female-bodied individuals, progesterone serves two roles. On a month-to-month basis, sufficient progesterone levels help regulate your menstruation cycles. Additionally, progesterone supports the early stages of a pregnancy.

These processes hinge on a chemical reaction. Just as with other hormones, glands — including the corpus luteum and your adrenal glands — both generate and regulate progesterone.

With all the ways your body uniquely operates, progesterone influences the following processes:

  • Menstruation, particularly during ovulation. The progesterone generated by the corpus luteum helps thicken the lining of the uterus, creating an ideal environment for an implanted egg. Without a fertilized egg, the gland breaks down, causing progesterone levels to decrease and triggering your period.
  • Pregnancy, particularly providing nutrients to the fertilized egg. During the early stages of pregnancy, the corpus luteum continues to create progesterone. This process results in a thick, nutrient-rich uterus lining and aids the egg’s development. Later in your pregnancy, the placenta starts to generate progesterone. Over this period, expect your progesterone levels to increase — essential for preventing early labor and preparing your body for breastfeeding.
  • Other processes. Along with menstruation and pregnancy, progesterone supports your overall health and acts as a mood booster.

Considering these processes, low progesterone side effects may manifest as the following: irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, and menopause.

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Low Progesterone Symptoms in Females

There are some classic signs of low progesterone:

  1. Irregular Menstrual Cycles
    Progesterone is the main hormone responsible for regulating your cycle. Typical menstrual cycles are about 28 days long. If your cycle is much longer, shorter, or unpredictable then this could be due to low progesterone.
  2. Infertility
    If you have trouble getting or staying pregnant, it might be due to low progesterone. Although infertility and miscarriages can have many root causes, if you are struggling to get pregnant, you should have your progesterone levels checked. Progesterone is responsible for thickening the endometrial lining and getting it ready for pregnancy. If this does not occur or levels do not rise after egg implantation, the pregnancy cannot be sustained.
  3. Headaches or Migraines
    Although not the only root cause of migraines, progesterone may play a role for some of us. Women with low progesterone tend to get migraines, particularly before and during their cycle. This might be related to the increase in estrogen with low progesterone. Higher estrogen can cause vasodilation and water retention, which can trigger headaches.
  4. Mood changes, including anxiety or depression.
    Progesterone is intricately related to your neurotransmitters, particularly GABA. When progesterone is low, you may have symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia, which can get even worse before your cycle.
  5. Hot Flashes
    Hot flashes are typically due to a change in your hormones. When progesterone is low, it can cause your estrogen to rise, and this imbalance can create hot flashes, particularly at night.
  6. Weight Gain
    That’s right — your weight gain could be due to low progesterone. Ensuring hormonal BALANCE is the key to weight loss for women. Even if you are eating well and exercising but live with a hormonal imbalance — including low progesterone — you can experience weight gain.
  7. Fibroids and Endometriosis
    Again, with low progesterone comes higher estrogen. Higher estrogen — when not balanced with progesterone, also known as estrogen dominance — can lead to fibroids, endometriosis, heavier cycles, cysts, and cystic breasts. The good news is that, if you can balance your estrogen and progesterone levels, these things can be avoided!

If you have any or all of these symptoms, it is time to ask your healthcare provider about your progesterone levels and why they might be low!

At CentreSpringMD, our functional medicine practitioners help develop a personalized holistic plan to increase your levels. Our integrative approach covers dietary, lifestyle, and herbal support, as well as the addition of bioidentical hormones when necessary. If you are struggling with the symptoms above, you are not alone. With the help of your healthcare provider, you can have more balanced hormones.


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hormones, low progesterone, progesterone, signs of low progesterone


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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
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