Progesterone is a hormone with important functions in the sexual and reproductive health of women and people with ovaries, and having too little can cause problems.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c5e4b4cd-ac74-4cab-98f0-e07e97dc623d Progesterone and ovulation are closely linked, as progesterone may be low if ovulation is irregular or not happening.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299ee5dbba-14f8-4ae6-b957-8fa87a09ac33 Low levels of progesterone can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, as well as fertility issues. Sometimes, low progesterone can signal a natural process such as perimenopause , the stage leading up to menopause, or an underlying health issue, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c5e4b4cd-ac74-4cab-98f0-e07e97dc623d It is important to know how to spot the symptoms of low progesterone and when to talk to a healthcare professional about potential treatment.
Symptoms of Low Progesterone Symptoms The symptoms of low progesterone may differ among people who are pregnant and those who are not. Among people who are not pregnant, symptoms of low progesterone include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762958f9c626-0f07-4e2e-b053-0c021ca13268 e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c4f6ccb1-7e8a-4170-9464-fc02f94d2325 Irregular menstrual cycles Weight gain and bloating Insomnia Headaches Trouble conceiving For women in perimenopause or menopause, you may have both low estrogen and low progesterone, causing symptoms such as:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a630978e-16c8-4016-94d9-3f08add1c75a Hot flashes and night sweats Anxiety, depression, and mood swings Thinning skin tissue and vaginal dryness During a pregnancy, progesterone helps thicken the endometrium of the uterus to help maintain a pregnancy to term.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a270c26c-d245-479e-ae57-0821d06af9cd The levels stay high to help maintain the pregnancy.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762948deeeba-5fef-404e-a1fd-a7bd31fd0f8c
Potential Complications of Low Progesterone Complications If untreated, low progesterone may affect fertility and immunity in the long run. It may also raise the risk of a condition called endometrial hyperplasia , where the uterus’s endometrium becomes too thick, causing heavy periods.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629445af8d1-67cf-4ac7-9bb5-ec94b6eaa630 It may also cause endometrial neoplasia, a condition that raises the risk of endometrial cancer. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629445af8d1-67cf-4ac7-9bb5-ec94b6eaa630 Having too little progesterone also may lead to complications resulting from having too much estrogen, which can range from depression and a low libido to weight gain and heavy menstrual bleeding.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629800ac466-9bc2-416e-8ca9-31bfb80a171e Low progesterone during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299a45963b-ff7e-45c4-99c9-36eac3bcf1a7 It also can lead to premature labor.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629800ac466-9bc2-416e-8ca9-31bfb80a171e
When to See a Doctor Doctor’s Visits Ali Chappell, RD, board-certified reproductive endocrinologist in Houston and a polycystic ovary syndrome and hormone expert at Lilli Health, says it is wise to contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms: Irregular periods, or anovulation Difficulty conceiving or unexplained infertility Miscarriage Symptoms of “unopposed estrogen,” such as heavy periods, spotting, and mood swings “A common reason for low progesterone in females is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is due to these patients not ovulating regularly,” Chappell says. “Because persistent anovulation can contribute to health risks, it’s important to have a healthcare provider address it.” If you are not in perimenopause , the time frame leading up to menopause, it is a good idea to seek medical advice if you have not had a period in three months, says Anne Hussain, ND, author of The Period Literacy Handbook . The same is true if you are in perimenopause and have significant insomnia, she says. Your healthcare provider can: Help you choose the best progesterone-boosting methods that work for you, depending on what has caused your progesterone to drop in the first place Recommend a personalized treatment plan and establish a timeframe in which you might see results Recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in some cases Advise on any potential safety risks that may come with herbal supplements or HRT Chappell recommends lifestyle changes to address low progesterone levels for premenopausal patients. But she adds discussing HRT with a healthcare provider can be helpful for those with perimenopause who experience symptoms such as heavy or irregular periods, sleep disturbances, night sweats, and mood swings that affect quality of life.
The Takeaway Having low levels of the hormone progesterone can lead to symptoms that include irregular menstrual cycles, sleeping problems, and mood swings. Irregular ovulation or anovulation can cause progesterone to be low. If untreated, low progesterone can lead to fertility and immunity issues. People with symptoms of low progesterone should consult a healthcare professional to determine a personalized plan that best addresses the underlying causes.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Low Progesterone Endocrine Society: Reproductive Hormones National Association for Continence: Do I Have Low Progesterone? University of Rochester Medical Center: Progesterone Yale Medicine: Women, Are Your Hormones Keeping You Up at Night?