Hormone Spotlight: Progesterone

is this hormone behind your anxiety, acne or cycle irregularity? 🤔

I’ve been seeing multiple women lately struggling with fertility, acne, weight concerns, or sleep issues

and while we’re all unique, they all have one thing in common:

low progesterone ✨

if you’re just entering the hormone space, this might be a totally new word for you.

or maybe you’ve only heard about estrogen or cortisol when it comes to hormones.

But progesterone is incredibly important, playing a role in everything from our mind and mood, to our sleep, our fertility, and our even our skin health!

so I’m pleased to introduce you to your leading lady of this article: progesterone

Who is she? Why does she matter? And how to tell if she’s out of whack….

Meet Progesterone: Your Soothing Hormone

Unlike our stress hormone Cortisol 🌪️ or our Queen Bee Estrogen 👑 , Progesterone plays a different role.

She helps us feel calm, cool, and collected.

She eases sleep, anxiety, and overall mood 🥱

but unfortunately, she ain’t around all month long ..

Progesterone is produced after ovulation during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle.

So while she only sticks around for 1-2 weeks, she plays a BIG role

1. Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle: Progesterone works with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and support fertility.

2. Support of Pregnancy: If conception occurs, progesterone is essential for maintaining the uterine lining and inhibiting contractions to support the developing embryo. This makes her vital for early pregnancy sustainability.

3. Skin Health: Progesterone supports sebum production, which helps maintain healthy skin. It also helps balance out some of the effects of estrogen, contributing to clearer, less problematic skin. (Psst… if you’re dealing with breakouts in the luteal phase/before your period, you’ll want to peep at progesterone)

4. Mood Stabilization: Progesterone plays a role in mood regulation by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, creating a sense of calm.

5. Sleep: Progesterone has a major role in promoting restful sleep. Many women notice improved sleep patterns during the luteal phase, thanks to her calming effects.

Signs, Symptoms and Reasons Behind Low Progesterone:

The best thing you can do is test to know where your progesterone levels are - but more on that later

Here are some signs and symptoms that could point to a low progesterone picture:

• Irregular or Heavy Menstrual Periods

• Fertility challenges

• Mood Swings and Anxiety

• Fatigue

• Sleep Disturbances

• Acne (especially if before your period)

• Short luteal phase (less than 12 days)

Things that make us more prone to low progesterone:

• PCOS and Endometriosis: These conditions can disrupt hormone balance and affect progesterone levels. For PCOS, it is often also because ovulation is irregular.

• Dieting and Intermittent Fasting: Intense calorie restriction or intermittent fasting can impact hormonal production and lead to low progesterone