Managing Low Progesterone: Finding the Balance
Low Progesterone can adversely affect libido, mood, and pregnancy.
According to a study published in 2022, low Progesterone increased the risk ratio of miscarriage by 1.48 times.
To navigate the risks and restore healthy body function, it is important to keep Progesterone in check.
This article lists the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Low Progesterone to help deal with it.
Low Progesterone overview
| Low Progesterone | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Normal levels | 0.13 to 0.97 ng/mL | At least 0.1 ng/mL in pre-pubescent stage to 290 ng/mL at most during third trimester of pregnancy |
| Symptoms | Lack of libido, Erectile Dysfunction, fatigue, mood changes etc | Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle, mood changes etc |
| Causes | Some of the causes are medications, over-exercising, Hypothyroidism and stress | Some of the causes are Menopause, PCOS, Anovulation and medications |
What is low Progesterone
Low Progesterone can mean different things for different genders and life stages.
Low progesterone in women can be normal at some points of the menstrual cycle and may not indicate a problem.
Men have a relatively lower level of Progesterone, as its main role is associated with pregnancy and the menstrual cycle.
Low Progesterone in women
The normal Progesterone range for females:
- During the pre-pubescent stage, it ranges from 0.1 to 0.3 ng/mL
- In the follicular stage, 0.1 to 0.7 ng/mL
- In the luteal stage, 2 to 25 ng/mL
- During pregnancy first trimester, 10 to 44 ng/mL
- In the second trimester, 19.5 to 82.5 ng/mL
- In the third trimester, 65 to 290 ng/mL
Levels of Progesterone below these are considered low for women and can cause additional issues like infertility and changes in the menstrual cycle.
Low Progesterone in men
Progesterone is more vital for females but is also present in men in lesser amounts.
Progesterone influences spermiogenesis, the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, kidney function, behavior, and the respiratory system in men.
The normal range for adult men is 0.13 to 0.97 ng/mL.
Levels below the ones discussed are considered low Progesterone for men, which affects libido and sexual function.
Low Progesterone symptoms
Low Progesterone can affect the body in numerous ways.
Most of the symptoms are observed in women since it is a prominent female hormone that fluctuates through the menstrual cycle,
- Menstrual irregularities: Hormonal imbalances like low levels of Progesterone can affect the regularity of periods or even result in missing one. If the Estrogen levels are sore due to less Progesterone, it can also cause spotting or bleeding
- Infertility: Progesterone is vital for a healthy pregnancy. Low levels can affect the implantation of the fertilized egg making conception harder. In some cases, it can cause a miscarriage
- Mood changes: Irritability, anger, fatigue, mood swings, and aggression are higher in women with low levels of Progesterone
- Worsens Perimenopause Syndrome symptoms: It includes anxiety, depression, breast tenderness, weight gain, bloating, and swelling due to fluid retention
- Difficulty sleeping: Low levels can contribute to trouble sleeping and even insomnia. It is commonly observed during the PMS days when Progesterone dips
- Headaches and migraines: Women with low Progesterone report frequent headaches or migraines. One of the instances is Premenstrual migraine when the Progesterone levels drop
In men, low Progesterone can cause
- Lack of libido: Deficiency of this reproductive hormone can impact the sex drive in males
- Mood changes: Progesterone not only impacts mood in women but also men. Sometimes, it can get worse and result in anxiety or depression
- Erectile dysfunction: Low Progesterone in men can cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED). A study conducted on rats found low Progesterone related to fewer penile erections
- Other symptoms: Some other milder symptoms noticed can be loss of concentration, muscle mass and tiredness
What causes low Progesterone
Some of the causes of low Progesterone are:
- Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance is related to Progesterone decline. In 2017, a study found low Progesterone levels in patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients
- Over-exercising: It can cause exhaustion, increasing cortisol levels, and stress. A study conducted on perimenopausal women with Breast Cancer proved that exercises reduced Progesterone exposure by 23.7 per cent
- Medications: Medicines like Trilostane lower Progesterone levels. Another one binding to the intracellular receptor of the hormone and lowering it is Mifepristone
- Low cholesterol: The body needs cholesterol to make Progesterone, as molecular Progesterone is derived from cholesterol. So, low cholesterol means low Progesterone
- Menopause: Perimenopause marks the decline of hormonal levels. Along with increasing age and approaching menopause, Progesterone also starts decreasing
- Stress: Cortisol is the stress hormone that interferes with the body’s ability to make sex hormones. It was also linked with low luteal Progesterone in women
- Environmental toxins: Environmental toxins like Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) affect Progesterone. In 2014, a study on rats concluded that DEHP lowers Progesterone levels
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS results in a lack of Progesterone. Moreover, if a woman with PCOS has Insulin resistance, it can also cause low Progesterone in the luteal phase
- Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormones stimulate the release of Progesterone from human luteal cells. So, a lack of Thyroid hormone reduces Progesterone as well. A study found that Progesterone decreased with a deficiency of Thyroid hormone
- Anovulation: Anovulation is a phase where the ovary does not release an egg. It can lower Progesterone in women with one Anovulatory cycle
- Hyperprolactinemia: In this condition, the body makes excessive Prolactin, which disrupts the levels of Progesterone. Studies have shown that Prolactin secretions decrease Progesterone.
Test for low Progesterone
A Progesterone test measures the level of Progesterone in a blood sample.
A medical expert will take a blood sample from a vein in the arm, using a small needle, and detect if the levels are lower than the normal range.
Low Progesterone treatment
Low levels of Progesterone can be improved with hormone therapy.
This treatment involves boosting the hormonal levels for reducing risks and symptoms associated with deficiencies like that of Progesterone.
It includes options like
- Creams or gels
- Pills
- Injections
The treatment depends on the side effects like worse PMS or menopause symptoms and goals like conceiving.
One must discuss with a doctor for personalized opinion and available options.
Besides the medical treatment, natural remedies and self care can be beneficial in improving Progesterone levels.
These can be used by a person without medical assistance at home.
Some of the natural methods to improve Progesterone include
- Increasing intake of vitamins B and C to maintain Progesterone levels
- Eating more foods with zinc
- Regulating stress levels to lower cortisol and improve Progesterone
Conclusion
Low Progesterone is caused by factors like medications, hormonal fluctuations, and medical conditions like Hypothyroidism and PCOS.
It can hamper fertility, mood, and sleep or cause migraine, worse PMS symptoms, and menstrual changes.
A Progesterone test performed by a medical expert can confirm if Progesterone is low through a blood test.
Based on the result and goal of treatment, hormone therapy can help restore normal Progesterone levels.
On an individual level, eating foods with zinc, vitamins B and C, and managing stress ensure natural improvements in Progesterone levels and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to treat low Progesterone naturally?
Some natural methods can help a person improve Progesterone levels. These include eating foods rich in vitamins B, C, and zinc. One must also practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, yoga, etc. These activities help lower cortisol, which may improve Progesterone.
What does a drop in Progesterone feel like?
A drop in Progesterone can be accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, headache, bloating, and affected sleep. It can also be frequent mood changes, frustration, anxiety, weight gain, breast tenderness, and irregular menstrual cycle.
How can I increase my Progesterone level?
Hormone therapy performed under the guidance of a doctor is a great way to increase Progesterone levels. For natural methods, one can eat foods rich in vitamins B, C, and zinc. Stress management can also suppress cortisol which will help improve Progesterone.
What are the side effects of low Progesterone?
Some noticeable side effects of low Progesterone are headaches, tiredness, poor sleep, and mood swings. Sometimes, more severe side effects like infertility, miscarriage, worse PMS symptoms, ED, and disrupted menstrual cycle can be observed.
