We’re continuing our Hormone of the Month Series with: What is progesterone?
What is progesterone and how does progesterone work? Progesterone is a hormone that we think of when it comes to fertility, and reproductive health. It is part of the menstrual cycle as it rises in the luteal phase.
All hormones are chemical messengers in the body. They often work together to get a specific process to happen in the body, and this occurs with ovulation. Four hormones are needed for the process of ovulation. Progesterone is one of them.
Progesterone and estrogen are like a couple, as receptors for these hormones are found in the same tissues. When they are out of balance, symptoms can arise, like symptoms of low estrogen. We will cover high and low progesterone in another post.
Progesterone is called a steroid hormone and sex hormone, and is made in the ovaries (specifically in ovulation) and placenta in women, and in adrenal glands in men. Yes, men and women have all of the hormones in the body, they just have different amounts. Androgens, estrogens, cortisol and progesterone all need cholesterol to be made in the body. Cholesterol is the building block of all steroid hormones.
What is Progesterone named for? It is named for its role in promoting gestation or pregnancy. PRO– for promote, GES– for gestation. Progesterone is essential to maintain pregnancy too.
What is Progesterone? Progesterone and the Menstrual Cycle.
During ovulation, the corpus luteum forms in the ovary. This forms every menstrual cycle and is called a “little cyst” by the Cleveland Clinic (1).
The corpus luteum forms after ovulation where a dominant follicle develops an egg, and then releases that egg to be fertilized. It’s important to note that the corpus luteum does produce estrogen and progesterone, but progesterone is primary. This hormone prepares the body for possible pregnancy by stimulating glandular development and the growth of new blood vessels. This creates a conducive environment for the implantation of a fertilized egg.
If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, causing a drop in progesterone levels. This decrease leads to the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) breaking down, marking the start of the menstrual period.
What is Progesterone and it’s Role in Pregnancy?
Progesterone prepares the tissue lining of the uterus for the fertilized egg’s implantation and helps maintain the endometrium for about 12 weeks until the placenta can take over (2). This is a phase known as the luteo-placental shift!
High levels of progesterone during this phase of pregnancy prevent the body from producing additional eggs, strengthen the pelvic wall muscles in preparation for birth, and reduce uterine contractions to prevent premature birth.
What is Progesterone from a Bioenergetic Perspective?
The formation of the corpus luteum, which produces the majority of progesterone, is triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone production by the anterior pituitary gland. This usually occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle, stimulating ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.
If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, the production of progesterone decreases, and a new menstrual cycle begins. However, if the ovulated egg is fertilized, the cells that surround the early embryo secrete human chorionic gonadotropin, ensuring the corpus luteum continues producing progesterone until the placenta is established.
Did progesterone come up low or high on your CBH bioenergetic scan? This can relate to a number of other findings on your energetic report, or even in your body.
It can relate to the timing of your cycle. Some women test while on their period, when progesterone is very low. This is fine of course, but just make a mental note of when you test, so you can relate the findings of energetically low progesterone.
Progesterone is a calming hormone. If you resonate with low progesterone, look for stress in the Nervous System. Did you see thyroid stress on your Full Scan? Progesterone and thyroid hormones have a linked relationship. Progesterone influences the effectiveness of thyroid hormones.
Low progesterone can also be normal and It can relate to the timing of your cycle. Some women test while on their period, where progesterone is very low. This is fine of course, but just make a mental note of when you test, so you can relate the findings of energetically low progesterone.
What is Progesterone and it’s Relation to Other Body Systems?
Progesterone is linked to other systems besides the reproductive system. It is linked to
- The Brain
- The Liver
- The Locomotor System or Bones
- The Bladder
- The Thyroid
- Blood vessels
The brain. Progesterone is also called a neurosteroid, and acts on the brain (1) There can be different levels in the brain at different ages and stages or life. There may also be a drop in progesterone in the brain after brain injury (2).
The liver has to be good at using its CYP 450 enzyme group to convert cholesterol to pregnenolone first, and then pregnenolone to progesterone. The amount of vitamins, minerals and other compounds that the liver needs to go through detoxification and conversion is quite remarkable.
Bone health is dependent on many factors, including progesterone and estrogen. These help to remodel bone, which is in constant resorption and growth. Many women experience bone issues, and bioenergetic stress in their Locomotor System when going through the menopause transition.
The bladder. Your bladder is part of the Urogenital System on a CBH Full Scan, progesterone relaxes smooth muscle, and this happens in the urinary system (3).
The thyroid. Progesterone is linked to the thyroid through T3, or triiodothyronine. Low T3 may affect progesterone levels (4). Progesterone may also protect the thyroid gland (5). Many women suffer from thyroid imbalance in perimenopause, and through menopause.
Blood vessels. Progesterone affects the dilation of blood vessels, which lower blood pressure. Considering the increased risks of cardiovascular system stress as we age, it’s no wonder that progesterone may be linked to this (6).
What is Progesterone and How is it Signalled?
We know that progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. They tend to be low before ovulation (during the follicular phase) and rise after ovulation. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels continue to rise. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels fall.
How does this signalling happen?
The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which then signals the ovaries through the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis. If the hypothalamus signals gonadotropin releasing hormone, this will stimulate the pituitary to release FSH, or follicle stimulating hormone. We also bioenergetically test for FSH, on a Full Scan or Balancing Scan. This makes the follicle grow in the ovary, and subsequently a chosen follicle will release an egg, and lead to that corpus luteum.
If there is stress showing in the hypothalamus point, or the pituitary gland point, this may affect the bioenergetic reading of progesterone.
High cortisol, estrogen dominance, or excessive exercise may affect the hypothalamus and its production and release of gonadotropin releasing hormone. Thyroid issues may affect this as well.
What is progesterone in relation to bioenergetic progesterone imbalance?
Know your sources of synthetic progesterone: it is used in hormonal contraception such as birth control pills, vaginal rings, and skin patches. For some women these medications are life changing, don’t get us wrong. Knowing that synthetic versions, like progestin, is also used in birth control injections, implants, and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) help you understand where outside (or exogenous) progesterone may be coming from, if your CBH report shows bioenergetically high progesterone levels.
Progesterone is often prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for people going through perimenopause or menopause. HRT typically involves taking estrogen and progesterone.
Many women cannot take HRT. Some men look for the benefits of hormones as well, in homeopathic remedies like:
- Progesterone: supports sensitivity related to dairy and milk products, mood swings, painful menses, nervousness, hot flashes, headache, and back and leg pain.
- Fem Tox: for menstrual irregularity and hormonal imbalances along with low energy and libido.
- Dong Quai: this has a focus on progesterone, and hormonal balance from days 14 to 28 of the menstrual cycle. Its partner is Black Cohosh for days 1 to 14.
Stress is an important factor in hormone production across the life span, and for both men and women to work on when creating balanced health. The body will always prioritize survival over hormones (and fertility) and this makes reframing stress extremely important! Our practitioner Amanda Panacea is your go to for any stress management you want to explore.
Adequate fat intake is also important, especially if you are too focused on a low fat diet, or have issues with dietary fat because of gallbladder and digestion issues. Cholesterol is a building block of hormones, and good plant fats support this process.
Don’t forget liver health and stress. We mentioned that the liver has to convert hormones, and it also has to detoxify spent hormones as well. Increasing your intake of antioxidant foods and sulfurous foods helps, along with lots of hydration, and protecting remedies like liver milieu.
Your body has many checks and balances to help with hormonal balances. Environmental toxins can have a huge impact on those checks and balances, as they can impact cellular metabolism and disrupt hormones right at the endocrine system.
DISCLAIMER: Balanced Health, LLC/CBH Energetics and any parent, subsidiary, affiliated or related entities and companies do not provide medical advice or services. This post and the bioenergetic products and services offered by Balanced Health, LLC/CBH Energetics including, but not limited to, bioenergetic tests, bioenergetic scans, bioenergetic reports and related products and services (collectively the “Bioenergetic Products and Services”) are designed for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, complaint, illness or medical condition and are not a substitute for professional services or medical advice. Testing is not used for the purpose of obtaining information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease or the assessment of a health condition or for identification purposes.
