Progesterone - A Commonly Overlooked Hormone

Hormone balance has been on my mind lately as I work to adjust my own and also see so many patients in our clinic with hormonal imbalances. 

Since the FDA removed the “black box” warning on hormone replacement therapies at the end of 2025, the conversations around hormonal imbalances have exploded. I have been working with people for more than 15 years to balance hormones naturally and am thrilled to see the dialogue expand into more options for patients.. 

In my most recent rabbit hole adventures, I’ve been researching progesterone and its precursor pregnenolone not just for its impact on the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, but also for its role in mood, sleep and brain health. Dysregulation of progesterone can have life-altering effects leading to insomnia, mood disorders and even dementia. 

Did you know that progesterone is actually considered a neurosteroid? What that means is that it has neuroprotective properties and can actually be synthesized by neurons. Some studies have even shown the positive effects of treatment with progesterone for traumatic brain injuries. 

But back to the effects on sleep and mood. Low progesterone can increase sleep disturbances and also lead to conditions like PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoria disorder) and anxiety. This is due to the role of allopregnanolone (a progesterone metabolite) in enhancing GABA’s inhibitory response in the nervous system, leading to relaxation and calm. 

For women experiencing:

-mood changes

-sleep disturbances

-brain fog

-memory issues

assessing hormonal levels may be a great option. There are some wonderful herbs and supplements available to help restore hormone levels, improve sleep and balance the mood.

Reach out to us with questions or to schedule a 15-minute free discovery call.

References:

Haufe A, Leeners B. Sleep Disturbances Across a Woman's Lifespan: What Is the Role of Reproductive Hormones? J Endocr Soc. 2023 Mar 15;7(5):bvad036. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvad036. PMID: 37091307; PMCID: PMC10117379.

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Stefaniak M, Dmoch-Gajzlerska E, Jankowska K, Rogowski A, Kajdy A, Maksym RB. Progesterone and Its Metabolites Play a Beneficial Role in Affect Regulation in the Female Brain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Mar 31;16(4):520. doi: 10.3390/ph16040520. PMID: 37111278; PMCID: PMC10143192.

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