The body has many hormones that are essential for regulating many of the body’s functions. Testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, insulin, and progesterone are a few specific hormones that regulate reproduction, sleep, metabolism, and more. Women who suffer from progesterone imbalance may often experience uncomfortable symptoms that can lead to more serious health issues.
What Is Progesterone?
Progesterone, along with estrogen, is a primary hormone in women. Produced in the corpus luteum in the ovaries, this hormone is most essential for reproduction and releases most during the first few weeks of pregnancy. As a steroid hormone, it also produces at higher levels during ovulation to prepare the body for potential pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, the hormone helps maintain placenta health and later prepares the body for lactation and breastfeeding.
If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the hormone levels naturally decrease and trigger menstruation. During the aging process, progesterone production slows down and stops producing after a woman reaches menopause.
Why Is Progesterone Important?
Although the primary function of progesterone is to prepare for pregnancy, it’s always producing a low level. This hormone works in balance with all other hormones in the body. If one of them is out of balance, it affects all others. Even if a woman never experiences pregnancy, this hormone is still vital for regulating menstrual cycles. Progesterone has a great influence on inflammation in the body, so an excessive amount or not enough can trigger an imbalance. Maintaining a balance of progesterone levels in the body is important to reduce the risk of many health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and brain injury.
What Happens When There Is An Imbalance?
There are many reasons women may experience a progesterone imbalance. Miscarriage, irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and other health conditions can cause an imbalance. When this happens, many women can experience symptoms such as:
- Metabolic imbalance, such as weight loss or gain
- Digestive discomfort
- Mood swings
- Irregular periods
- Low libido
- Preterm labor in pregnancy
- Gallbladder issues
Natural progesterone in the body not only regulates female menstrual cycles and pregnancy stages, but it also balances other hormones. The right balance can reduce the risk of health issues and increase overall wellness. Women with an imbalance may consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to help regulate hormone levels and increase their health.
Is Progesterone A Super Hormone?
Since hormonal balance is essential to optimal health and wellness, all hormones play an important role in the body. When one hormone is out of balance, it can lead to cellular stress, menstrual cycle issues, and impaired brain function. Progesterone is essential for our overall wellness because of its role in mood, reproduction, and cellular health. It is indeed a super hormone.
Contact Us For A Consult Today
Are you dealing with the symptoms of hormonal imbalance? If so, we want to help you recover. Contact True You Health & Wellness in Richmond, Virginia today and we will schedule a consultation for you. We look forward to partnering with you on your health and wellness journey.
