Although progesterone is the female hormone, it is also present in men but in minimal amounts. In women, it plays a crucial role in carrying out various body processes; beyond its influence on the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, to mention some functions, it is a precursor of essential hormones and helps to keep them in balance; it intervenes in the development of tissues, it ensures a good state of the circulatory system, prevents fluid retention and contributes to regulating the activity of the gallbladder.
For this reason, if the level of progesterone decreases in your body, it can cause a series of adverse reactions; however, it is possible to combat this alteration by identifying the cause, either naturally or with drugs if necessary; it is recommended that You go to the doctor to give you the appropriate treatment. Meanwhile, at FastlyHealwe will inform you what you need to know about low progesterone: symptoms and treatment.
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Primary symptoms of low progesterone
If your progesterone level is low, this will affect your body in several aspects; mainly, you will notice alterations in your menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods causing infertility, heavy bleeding, and menstrual cramps; In addition, it is more likely that you suffer from premenstrual syndrome, that is, that you have pain in the breasts and head, anxiety, sadness, mood swings, constipation, among others.
E l deficit of progesterone can also cause symptoms such as joint pain, fluid retention, abdominal swelling, bone weakness, immune system deficiency, and vaginal dryness. You may start to lose your hair more than usual, and your skin is dry.
Also, if you experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, feeling hot or flushed, memory loss, and low sex drive for no apparent explanation, it is probably because your progesterone is low. It is hazardous for you to have this alteration if you are pregnant since your body cannot maintain the pregnancy, and you will likely have a miscarriage.
On the other hand, although progesterone is secreted in minimal amounts in men, if it is lower than usual, it can also cause specific reactions, the most important of which is that it decreases sperm production.
Some Causes of Low Progesterone
Several factors can cause low progesterone. Most of them are due to everyday things that you can modify yourself or with the help of a specialist, especially if it causes you severe discomfort. Your progesterone level may drop if:
- You suffer from stress; in addition to the fact that it can alter your menstrual cycle and ovulation, your body transforms progesterone into cortisol, known as the stress hormone.
- You use birth control pills; they frequently cause a hormonal imbalance, favoring the presence of estrogen.
- Your diet is based on the food of animal origin due to the number of estrogens supplied to animals, mainly at an industrial level.
- You suffer from some alteration in the thyroid gland, such as hypothyroidism.
- You have a genetic predisposition.
Treatment for low progesterone
When your low progesterone level represents a risky situation, or the symptoms are extreme, for example, during pregnancy, your doctor may tell you that you should use a drug treatment to increase this hormone, you must follow the established dose and other recommendations that you make since improper use can cause side effects or complicate your condition. For this reason, it is also essential that you do not resort to drugs without medical supervision or prescription.
On the other hand, if your condition is not drastically affected, you can resort to other methods that do not include medications. If you change your lifestyle and diet, you can improve this alteration. Thus, you could reduce the consumption of foods of animal origin or opt for certified products without hormones and include ingredients that favor the increase of progesterone, those containing phytoestrogens such as alfalfa, soy, flaxseeds, spinach, some nuts, among others. However, it is always best to make these changes with the help of a specialist.
Also, if the cause is due to stress, exercising, practicing relaxation methods, going out with friends, or any other activity that motivates you, is an excellent treatment to combat low progesterone and prevent this deficit.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Low Progesterone: Symptoms and Treatment , we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.