Progesterone Deficiency Symptoms
Progesterone is a female steroid hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, or primarily by the placenta during pregnancy. This hormone is most well known for its role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in maintaining a pregnancy. However, like other steroid hormones, progesterone also affects the function of all parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system, heart and circulatory system, reproductive organs, immune system, digestive tract, bones and liver.
Common Symptoms
Women can start experiencing a progesterone deficiency as early as their 20s. Some of the main signs are belly-centric weight gain, low libido, irregular or heavy periods, infertility and difficulty maintaining a pregnancy. C.W. Randolph, M.D., co-founder of the Natural Hormone Institute, says that women with low progesterone may also experience lumpy breasts that are painful to the touch, severe premenstrual symptoms of bloating, moodiness, cravings and pain, or especially severe hot flashes and irritability during perimenopause and menopause.
- Women can start experiencing a progesterone deficiency as early as their 20s.
- C.W.
- Randolph, M.D., co-founder of the Natural Hormone Institute, says that women with low progesterone may also experience lumpy breasts that are painful to the touch, severe premenstrual symptoms of bloating, moodiness, cravings and pain, or especially severe hot flashes and irritability during perimenopause and menopause.
Fatigue, Pain and Depression
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Women with a progesterone deficiency are also plagued by extreme mental and physical fatigue. This is because low levels of the hormone cause insomnia and hinder the function of the energy-producing organs, like the adrenals and thyroid. Another key sign of a progesterone deficiency is pain, including frequent headaches, joint and muscle aches even when there has been no physical exertion, or fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by body-wide pain and sensitivity to touch. Dr. Randolph explains that this is because a progesterone deficiency has been linked with over-activity of pain receptors, as well as abnormally low production of the body’s natural painkillers, the endorphins. Low progesterone has also been linked to insufficient production of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin, triggering depression, postpartum depression or anxiety.
- Women with a progesterone deficiency are also plagued by extreme mental and physical fatigue.
- Dr. Randolph explains that this is because a progesterone deficiency has been linked with over-activity of pain receptors, as well as abnormally low production of the body’s natural painkillers, the endorphins.
Serious Long-term Effects
Some common signs of a progesterone deficiency that may not be immediately noticeable include chronic constipation and getting sick often, since the hormone plays a role in intestinal health and overall immunity, explains Dr. Randolph. Women with a long-term progesterone deficiency are also at increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and breast and uterine cancers.
Related Articles
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Progesterone
- University of Michigan Health System: Pain and the Brain
- Groves, M.N. (2019). Progesterone and the Nervous System/Brain. Women in Balance, National University of Natural Medicine.
- Stein, D.G. (2015). Embracing failure: What the Phase III progesterone studies can teach about TBI clinical trials. The Journal, Brain Injury. 29(11): 1259–1272.
- Andrabi, S., Parvez, S., Tabassum, H. (2017). Neurosteroids and Ischemic Stroke: Progesterone a Promising Agent in Reducing the Brain Injury in Ischemic Stroke. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 36. 10.1615.
- Groves, M.N. (2019). Progesterone and the Nervous System/Brain. Women in Balance, National University of Natural Medicine.
- Reddy, D.S. (2013). Role of hormones and neurosteroids in epileptogenesis. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.
- Stein, D.G. (2015). Embracing failure: What the Phase III progesterone studies can teach about TBI clinical trials. The Journal, Brain Injury. 29(11): 1259–1272.
- Wagner, C.K. (2008). Progesterone Receptors and Neural Development: A Gap between Bench and Bedside? Endocrinology. 149(6): 2743–2749.
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Writer Bio
Olga Norstrom has been a health, nutrition, fitness, food and beauty writer for five years. She has a master's degree in neuroscience and a second master's in science, health and environmental journalism. She regularly contributes to the "First for Women" magazine, and has written for a number of other health magazines.