Like many hormones in our bodies, the level of progesterone in our body ebbs and flows over the course of our life.
In child-bearing years, progesterone works with estrogen throughout a woman's menstrual cycles, and makes the endometrial lining ready for potential pregnancy, explains Michelle Gray, pharmacist and owner of Gray's Compounding Pharmacy in Kimberley. If conception occurs, progesterone continues to be made to maintain a pregnancy in its early stages, before the placenta takes over production for the remainder of the pregnancy.
If progesterone levels are too low, issues can arise with menstrual cycles, conception and miscarriage.
For example, low progesterone can cause irregular cycles – either longer, shorter or inconsistent. In turn, this can lead to challenges conceiving. In the case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which also causes irregular cycles and difficulty conceiving, among the most common causes is having low progesterone / estrogen levels that are too low compared to progesterone and high testosterone, Gray says.
One of the best ways for women to better understand their cycle – and to help medical practitioners have a more accurate picture – is with the Femm app, Gray notes. Designed to help women understand and identify their individual health and fertility patterns, the app can also help identify problems early, such as irregular cycles, infertility, pain and other common symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
With that information, paired with tests exploring various hormone levels, insulin resistance and other potential concerns, practitioners can look for possible underlying causes and solutions. "It's really critical to clearly pinpoint what's going on to get the best outcome," Gray says, noting that depending on the cause, targeted supplementary products can help.
Progesterone later in life
As we get older, in perimenopause, it's common to begin producing less progesterone and more estrogen. Which puts the estrogen-progesterone balance out of sync, creating symptoms like estrogen dominance, irregular periods, weight gain and difficulty sleeping. Perimenopause can last 10-15 years, and using the FEMM App can help determine the changes in your body and how therapy can be tailored to support your health.
Given that progesterone is also one of our "happy hormones," it's not uncommon for Gray to hear, "I used to be easy-going and now I just feel angry."
Later on, hot flashes and loss of bone density can occur, as "progesterone has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help with circulation, bone density, and liver and kidney health.”
"After menopause, progesterone really drops off, so that's one of the first things I like to add for perimenopause and menopausal women," Gray says. "Many women will chalk it up to aging, and that could be, but if we can balance your hormones, we can help you age more easily. After-all, modern medical miracles will keep you going - hormones give you the balance you need to enjoy life more fully.”
Visit Gray’s Compounding Pharmacy at 417B 304th St. on Highway 95 , Kimberley (on the strip in Marysville) , Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get in touch at 250-427-0038 or at facebook.com/grayspharmacy. Free shipping is available in the B.C. for your compounds, along with free weekly prescription delivery to Cranbrook and Kimberley.