Hormones Resource Center

Low Progesterone

Low Progesterone
Provided By Oasis Advanced Wellness
www.oasisadvancedwellness.com
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Even though progesterone levels may be low, it is a needed hormone for both menopausal women and andropausal men for many reasons. Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the ovary at ovulation and in low amounts by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone. When there is a low progesterone level, it needs to be replaced. The most important role of progesterone is to balance or oppose the effects of estrogen.

Unopposed estrogen creates a strong risk for breast cancer and reproductive cancers. Estrogen levels drop at menopause, but only 40-60%, which is just enough to stop the menstrual cycle. Low progesterone levels may drop to near zero in some women. Because progesterone is the precursor to so many other steroid hormones, its use can greatly enhance overall hormone balance after menopause. Progesterone also stimulates bone building and thus helps protect against osteoporosis.

PMS Factor

During the 10 to 15 years before menopause, many women regularly have cycles where they make enough estrogen to create menstruation, but they don't make any progesterone, not even a low level. This sets the stage for estrogen dominance. By using natural progesterone during these years, symptoms of PMS can be helped.

When progesterone levels are low the following symptoms may occur: