Reasons for Low Progesterone Levels
Low levels of progesterone (English: Progesterone) can be attributed to the following factors:
Lifestyle-Related Factors
The body naturally produces progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle; however, a variety of factors can influence progesterone levels, including:
- Excessive Exercise: Engaging in physical activity is beneficial for maintaining fitness; however, over-exercising or participating in high-intensity workouts can negatively affect hormonal balance in the body, particularly progesterone levels. It is advisable to engage in moderate exercise to maintain healthy progesterone levels.
- Anxiety: This is a primary contributor to reduced progesterone levels. The stress associated with the fast pace of modern life and the desire to achieve everything can disrupt hormonal balance. When anxious, the body releases cortisol (English: Cortisol), known as the stress hormone, which interferes with hormonal activities by blocking receptors in the body.
- Xenoestrogens: These environmental estrogens are omnipresent in food, the environment, synthetic hormones, animal products, and plastics. They mislead the body into believing that internal estrogen levels are higher than actual, significantly impacting progesterone levels.
Health-Related Factors
Certain health conditions are linked to decreased progesterone levels, including:
- Chronic Anovulation: This condition may occur when the menstrual cycle extends beyond 35 days, indicating a lack of ovulation. If menstrual periods are consistently longer than 32 days, it may suggest reduced ovulation. Physicians can measure progesterone levels to confirm anovulation.
- Infertility: A regular menstrual cycle does not necessarily indicate successful ovulation. In such cases, doctors should check progesterone levels. The Endocrine Society recommends screening all women for any ovulation disorders, which may require hormonal supplements to support pregnancy if conception occurs.
- Preterm Birth: Studies have indicated that preterm births may be associated with low progesterone levels, as progesterone helps maintain the uterus during the late stages of pregnancy by preventing factors that trigger preterm labor.
- Menopause: Some women utilize hormone replacement therapy to mitigate menopausal symptoms. It’s noteworthy that women who have not undergone a hysterectomy and are using estrogen supplements should also take progesterone supplements.
Pregnancy-Related Factors
Progesterone levels typically decline in the early stages of pregnancy due to several reasons:
- Ectopic Pregnancy: This occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube, which carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
- Miscarriage: This event typically happens in the early stages of pregnancy and is defined as the loss of the fetus before the 20th week of gestation.
- Threatened Miscarriage: Symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, or abdominal cramps, which may occur together during the first trimester despite the continuation of the pregnancy. While some bleeding is common in early pregnancy, any symptoms beyond spotting should be considered a potential threat of miscarriage.
Is Low Progesterone Dangerous?
Progesterone is a vital hormone for women, especially during their reproductive years. Insufficient levels may lead to complications related to fertility or pregnancy maintenance. A variety of symptoms may manifest due to low progesterone levels in non-pregnant women, including:
- Headaches or migraines.
- Abnormal uterine bleeding.
- Mood swings, which may include anxiety or depression.
- Irrregularities in the menstrual cycle or amenorrhea, potentially indicating ovarian insufficiency and low progesterone levels.
Impact of Low Progesterone on Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body produces higher levels of progesterone to sustain the uterus until birth. A significant drop in progesterone may hinder the uterus’s ability to maintain the pregnancy. Progesterone and estrogen complement each other, and a decrease in progesterone levels may allow estrogen to dominate, resulting in symptoms associated with elevated estrogen levels, including:
- Weight gain.
- Reduced sexual desire.
- Mood fluctuations.
- Depression.
- Premenstrual syndrome (English: PMS).
- Irrregularities in the menstrual cycle.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Breast tenderness or pain upon touch.
- Fibrocystic breast condition.
- Fibroids.
- Gallbladder issues.
The Importance of Progesterone
Progesterone is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and the placenta during pregnancy, orchestrating various bodily functions. This hormone prepares the body for pregnancy, regulates the menstrual cycle, and influences sexual desire. Consequently, low levels of progesterone can make it challenging to conceive or maintain a pregnancy, as previously mentioned. It is essential to note that progesterone levels naturally fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, rising in the second half before menstruation occurs, typically seven days prior to the onset of bleeding. One of progesterone’s crucial roles is to stimulate the production of specific proteins from the uterine lining, preparing it for potential implantation of a fertilized egg. If uterine lining thickness is insufficient, the implantation process may fail. Should fertilization not occur, low progesterone and estrogen levels result, leading to the shedding of the uterine lining and the regular monthly bleeding. Conversely, in successful implantation and sustained pregnancy, the placenta generates sufficient quantities of progesterone, maintaining elevated levels throughout gestation. In the case of multiple pregnancies, progesterone levels are typically higher than in singleton pregnancies.
Video: What are the Causes of Low Estrogen?
Low estrogen levels can significantly impact the body. What are the potential causes of its deficiency? Watch the following video to discover the answers: