The body uses cholesterol to make progesterone, estrogen and testosterone hormones. Progesterone is an important hormone for preparing the uterus for a menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy. As a women reaches her thirties, levels of progesterone start to decrease. By the time a woman reaches menopause, progesterone levels can be reduced to half their amount. These lowering levels create a host of problems.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Periods begin every 24 to 29 days; however, many women have them every 23 to 35 days. When a woman enters into the stage before menopause called perimenopause, she can begin to have fewer periods. Progesterone determines the length and amount of the bleeding. Missed periods or spotting between periods can indicate low levels of progesterone. Menopause starts 12 months after the last period. Some women forget to monitor their cycles. Add the date of your period on your calendar, so you can judge whether you are having irregular periods.
Blood Clots
Numerous women with low progesterone levels have blood clots in their period blood. Blood clots look like red masses of tissues and are typically shed towards the end of the period. They are caused by anticoagulants released by the body to prevent the period blood from clotting during the period. However, if the period flow is heavy, then the anticoagulants do not have time to work, which causes blood clots. Progesterone levels determine the blood flow; therefore, fluctuations between estrogen and progesterone levels can cause a heavier flow and blood clots.
PMS
Progesterone helps maintain a woman's emotional well-being. Low levels of progesterone can cause more occurrences of PMS, depression, anxiety, nervousness and irritability. Some PMS symptoms may actually be exacerbated by insomnia or sleeping problems. Sleep disorders frequently occur for women either with low progesterone or going through perimenopause.
Fibrocystic Breasts
The condition of fibrocystic breasts is characterized by noncancerous cysts in the breasts. Generally, a woman will start to feel lumps two weeks before her period. This is caused by excess fluid filling up the cells in the breast. The lymphatic system is unable to carry out the water and breasts begin to swell. Progesterone acts as a diuretic and low amounts of this hormone raises the risk of getting fibrocystic breasts. Most cysts are harmless even if they are painful. Have your doctor check your breasts if you begin to feel a lump. Perform regular breast examinations to be sure that you do not develop a cancerous lump.
Low Libido
All three hormones play a part in a woman's sexuality. Testosterone promotes sexual desire, estrogen lubricates the vagina and progesterone heightens the libido. If all three hormones are low, then sex would not only not be desired, but also painful, due to vaginal dryness. Weight gain associated with low progesterone can also cause a low libido. Ask your doctor about having your hormones checked if you suspect low progesterone.
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