How to normalize progesterone levels to lose weight

Many people associate progesterone with medications prescribed to women facing problems with the reproductive system. Premenstrual syndrome or menopause? I took a pill and my good mood returned. Should I prepare for IVF or is there a risk of spontaneous abortion? I inserted an intravaginal capsule and no longer need to worry about it. Many oral contraceptives contain this synthetic substance, as it can inhibit ovulation. And everything would be fine if not for one “but”.

Few people know how closely interrelated progesterone and excess weight are. Even a slight deviation of the hormone level from the norm - and fat deposits are right there. Even if you eat right and exercise regularly.

Progesterone: phases of the menstrual cycle

Estrogen and progesterone: phases of the menstrual cycle

With the onset of menstruation, during the follicular phase, this hormone is produced in small quantities.

Around the 14th–15th day of menstruation, during the ovulatory phase, hormone levels begin to rise. When the follicle on the ovary bursts and an egg is released, the luteal phase begins. The burst follicle turns into a corpus luteum and begins to produce the “pregnancy hormone”.

During this period progesterone in the blood increases, which is normal for a healthy female body. A high level of this hormone is a signal to the body that it needs to prepare for pregnancy.

Further developments are possible according to one of the scenarios:

If the expectant mother’s body is healthy and produces the “pregnancy hormone” in sufficient quantities, its concentration increases hundreds of times. From the 16th week, sometimes earlier, the placenta begins to produce this hormone. Before this, it is produced by the corpus luteum. The effect of progesterone on the uterus is very important in the second half of the menstrual cycle: the hormone reduces the number of its contractions, and, accordingly, the likelihood of miscarriage decreases.

How hormones affect your figure. Part 2: Progesterone

Progesterone is the second main female hormone. Although it has a huge number of roles in the body, this article will only focus on its effect on body weight. And while estrogen is often blamed for many problems, progesterone is actually much more important. Excerpt from The Woman's Book, Lyle McDonald.

Progesterone is a steroid hormone. It has a structure similar to other steroid hormones. Each of them has its own receptors in the body. By acting on them, the hormone triggers a certain reaction. For ease of understanding, the hormone and receptor are the key and the keyhole. If one thing fits the other, the door opens and something happens. Because of its structure, progesterone can bind to the receptors of other steroid hormones, not just its own.

For example, it acts on the cortisol receptor, but sends a weaker signal than cortisol itself. And by connecting to androgen receptors, it blocks their effects by sending a negative signal and acting as an antagonist. This cross-reactivity explains many of the effects of progesterone.

Progesterone begins to rise in the second half of the cycle, immediately after ovulation. It reaches a peak in the third week with a standard cycle, and then begins to decline.

Progesterone has one potential benefit in terms of weight loss. It leads to a slight increase in body temperature and metabolic rate - by 2.5-10%, which can amount to 100-300 calories per day.

In theory, this should aid fat loss. But growing hunger and cravings for junk food interfere here (,). This makes it difficult to control the amount you eat, so that the increase in calories outpaces the expenditure of calories to increase metabolism.

Hunger increases in the second half of the cycle for several reasons.

• The first and main thing is the drop in estrogen after ovulation, which leads to a drop in serotonin and dopamine ().
• Progesterone also causes some resistance (loss of sensitivity) to insulin and unstable blood sugar levels, which also stimulates hunger.
• Finally, the body develops some resistance to leptin, and when the brain doesn't register enough leptin, it turns on hunger.

All of the above effects lead to increased hunger and cravings for high-calorie foods with lots of sugar and fat. Chocolate is the champion here. It is estimated that this all increases food intake by 90-500 calories per day. And this easily compensates for any small increase in metabolic rate.

If a woman can avoid overeating, the increase in metabolism over the ten days of the second half of the cycle will burn an additional 1000-3000 calories, which means losing an additional 140-420 grams of fat per month. A more realistic option for many is to plan to increase the number of calories during this time, which will help avoid breakdowns and maintain control over nutrition. This is beneficial for weight loss in the long run.

Progesterone and edema

Progesterone can bind to receptors for aldosterone, a hormone that retains water in the body. Essentially, it sends a negative signal and blocks aldosterone from binding to its receptor. So during the peak of progesterone (the third week of the cycle), women experience virtually no edema. Once progesterone drops towards the end of the cycle, a “rebound” effect occurs and the body reacts with swelling. An increase in the scales by 1-3 kg is not uncommon. Women on a high-salt diet may experience even more fluid retention during this time.

Progesterone and fat storage

Progesterone increases lipoprotein lipase activity in lower body fat cells. This is an enzyme that is involved in the deposition of dietary fat for storage (). This is aggravated by the fact that progesterone stimulates the enzyme ASP (Acylation stimulating protein) - one of the key enzymes in fat storage, which scientists call the “female fat storage factor” ().

What happens next is that the estrogen surge before ovulation increases the number of alpha-2 receptors on the surface of fat cells in the lower body, and these receptors block lipolysis. The surge in progesterone after ovulation stimulates fat storage enzymes. Increased hunger and cravings for fatty and sweet foods lead to overeating, and everything excess is more easily and quickly stored as fat.

In addition, progesterone worsens insulin sensitivity, and the body begins to use carbohydrates worse. In the context of a high-carbohydrate diet, this is not very good, as it will lead to overproduction of insulin. So increasing carbohydrates in your diet works better in the first half of the cycle. While a low-carb, higher-fat diet comes second.

Progesterone and training

The overall effects of progesterone here are quite negative. First of all, it binds to androgen receptors, working as an antagonist and reducing the effect of testosterone. And this impairs the body’s ability to build muscle.

Endurance athletes may be hampered by increased body temperature. They may have problems with thermoregulation, especially when training in hot or humid conditions. Endurance may also be impaired because the body is less able to use carbohydrates for energy.

Total

After ovulation, in preparation for pregnancy, the rise in progesterone not only blocks many of the positive effects of estrogen, leaving only the negative ones, but also forces the body to more efficiently store excess calories into fat, and especially lower body fat.

Although metabolic rate increases slightly from progesterone in the second half of the cycle, hunger and cravings will also increase, often leading to overeating. If calorie intake is too high, fat is stored more efficiently. Conversely, if you can keep your calories under control, changes in your metabolic rate may help you lose weight a little.

Translation of a chapter from The Woman's Book by Lyle McDonald

When should I get tested?

Any test must be taken at the “correct” time. This also applies to this hormone. Since its concentration increases in the second half of the menstrual cycle, the appropriate time for analysis is the period after ovulation.

If you want to find out what concentration of progesterone is in your blood and when to take it, an ovulation test will tell you. Usually the test is taken on the 22nd–23rd day after the start of menstruation - with a 28-day cycle. If the cycle is longer (for example, 35 days), then it is taken on the 28th–29th day.

In any case, consult your doctor: he will prescribe a progesterone test and tell you on which day of the cycle it is best to take it.

With a regular cycle, the level of this hormone is analyzed seven days before the start of menstruation. When the cycle is irregular, measurements are taken several times. If a woman keeps a basal temperature chart, then blood is donated on the 6th or 7th day after its increase.

Blood for progesterone , as well as for other hormones, must be donated no earlier than 6–8 hours after the last meal. It is best to do this in the morning on an empty stomach.

Progesterone: normal in women

The units in which laboratories measure hormone levels are ng/ml or nmol/l. Their full name is nanograms per milliliter or nanomoles per liter. To convert ng/ml to nmol/l, you need to multiply the value in ng/ml by 3.18.

If the body of childbearing age produces this hormone in sufficient quantities, the norm in women ranges from:

• follicular phase - 0.32–2.23 nmol/l;
• ovulatory phase - 0.48–9.41 nmol/l;
• luteal phase - 6.99–56.63 nmol/l.

After menopause, the hormone level does not rise above 0.64 nmol/l. This hormone is produced in much larger quantities when carrying a child, its norm is:

• I trimester - 8.9–468.4 nmol/l;
• II trimester - 71.5–303.1 nmol/l;
• III trimester - 88.7–771.5 nmol/l.

If you take any medications while carrying a child and are tested for progesterone, be sure to inform the laboratory assistant about this. He will make the necessary notes to correctly decipher the indicators.

is produced at different rates during the weeks Accordingly, the concentration of the hormone in the blood fluctuates. In addition, in various medical sources, hormone norms by week of pregnancy differ significantly. If your blood test results are different from those shown, don't worry.

Normal for men

In men, the level of this hormone is normally low, it ranges from 0.32–0.64 nmol/l.

Progesterone is a hormone responsible for pregnancy and fat deposition

Doris, a fifty-year-old lawyer, sought counseling concerned that she had gained more than 20 kg over the past year and a half to two years. She couldn't understand what was going on, because she is a vegetarian and eats healthy food. She took vitamins regularly and exercised four or five days a week, even despite her busy daily routine. About two years ago, she began experiencing hot flashes and mood swings typical of PMS, although she was still menstruating. However, their extent and abundance have decreased. There were no other changes that would lead her to conclude that she had reached menopause.

She was not using contraception or undergoing estrogen replacement therapy. Two years earlier, she had consulted a “nutrition specialist” who suggested she use Progest Body Cream to relieve her PMS symptoms. This “nutrition specialist” had no formal training or diploma in nutrition. Doris obediently applied a cream containing progesterone , 1/4 tsp, fourteen days a month. twice a day, as prescribed. At first she thought her symptoms had eased, but after six months she could no longer feel the difference. She noticed that within a few months of starting to use the cream, she began to gain weight. The “nutrition specialist” said that the cream would help her lose weight. She continued to use it, even though the extra pounds made her very sad. In an attempt to lose weight, she began to eat less.

By the time she saw a registered nutritionist, she felt lethargic, tired, and had trouble concentrating at work. Two weeks before her menstruation, her mood swings intensified and her discharge became more profuse. She considered herself too fat, unnecessary, and she was tired of feeling overweight and constantly feeling unwell. She was also worried that she might develop diabetes because her blood sugar swings became uncontrollable ten days before her period. Sometimes she experienced a condition characteristic of low blood sugar, and sometimes trembling. At times, after eating, she felt so sleepy that she even fell asleep at work. It seemed to her that misfortune had befallen her. She did not realize that her problems, especially significant weight gain, began after she began using progesterone .

Measuring hormone levels made it possible to clarify the picture: the content of estradiol (E2) on the 20th day of the cycle was too low, amounting to only 70 pg/ml (during this period of the cycle it should be 200-250), and the level of progesterone (P) when using progesterone cream at this time was at around 24 ng/ml. This is the most important for the ovulation cycle. The balance of E2 and P was disrupted by the use of progesterone when estradiol levels were low. Since progesterone predominated in the body, it shifted the metabolism to function during pregnancy: fat reserves increased, the ability to tolerate glucose decreased, cortisol levels increased, and insulin resistance weakened. The cream, which she believed would help her lose excess weight, on the contrary, provoked even greater fat deposition and the development of first-degree diabetes. There is no need to explain that she didn’t like all this. After two years, the balance of estradiol and natural progesterone in her body was established, she felt much better and lost excess weight. Today, there is an extraordinary increase in the production of progesterone creams that can be purchased over the counter, and multi-level marketing schemes have heralded progesterone as a "miracle hormone" that can prevent osteoporosis, weight gain, increase sex drive and solve other women's problems. Many of these claims, although based on credible science, are simply not formulated correctly. People who promote such widespread use of progesterone do women a disservice, because they forget that a woman's body contains a number of hormones with different functions, and the correct proportion must be observed for each.

What is progesterone and how does it work?

Progesterone works in several ways to cause metabolic and physical changes that prepare a woman's body for childbearing. It got its name because of this quality (“hormone for pregnancy”). During pregnancy, progesterone levels are fifteen times higher than during the entire menstrual cycle. In its first half (follicle formation phase), the level of progesterone produced is “very insignificant and is at around 0.3-0.9 ng/ml. When ovulation begins, the egg is released and becomes the corpus luteum, which begins to synthesize progesterone. The level of progesterone in the second (luteal) phase of the cycle increases to 15-30 ng/ml, which is thirty times higher than the level during the first part of the cycle.

Progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum stimulates the thickening of the uterine wall and makes it secretory so that it can accept a fertilized egg and ensure its growth. If fertilization occurs, the placenta becomes a small “factory” for the production of hormones and begins to release increased doses of progesterone throughout pregnancy. If you consider all the numerous changes a woman’s body needs to bear a child, it is not surprising that progesterone has multiple effects on the entire body, and not just on the reproductive organs.

Progesterone can also affect the body's ability to store fat, but more on that later. This process is observed in many species, not just humans. The ability to store fat is an advantage that has developed over a long process of evolution. It ensures the survival of mother and child, because the body makes sure that the mother has enough fat deposits, which will be useful during the nine months of bearing the child in case of hunger. Over millions of years of human evolution, in times of food shortages, those women who best extracted nutrients from food and stored fat survived and were able to reproduce. As a result, our bodies, under the influence of progesterone, have adapted to extract the most nutrients from what we eat, even if there is little food. This hormone stimulates our appetite and cravings for foods containing carbohydrates, which in turn are used as energy and stored as fat. But alas, we live in a time of widespread abundance, and our ability to store fat is becoming a curse!

In addition to influencing fat deposition, progesterone can relax the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract. At the same time, the movement of food through the stomach and intestines slows down, and nutrients are absorbed more fully. When carrying a child, this is a positive quality. If we are not pregnant, then the slowdown of the intestines manifests itself as bloating, fullness and constipation (especially if you do not consume enough fiber), and if this is also combined with a sluggish gallbladder, then there is a risk of stones forming in it. “Slowing down” also means that more calories are extracted from each bite you eat, which is different from men, who move food through their stomachs and intestines faster and whose bodies do not absorb every last calorie.

Progesterone and progestins: it's important to understand the difference

We know that the functioning of steroid hormones is greatly affected by even a small change in the molecule. The number of carbon atoms, side chains, unsaturated chemical bonds, the addition of other atoms - all this can greatly transform the mechanism of the hormone in the human body. Minor changes in molecules change the desired result and can cause unnecessary side effects.

Progestogen is a general term used to describe any substance that has the biochemical ability to promote pregnancy, or so-called “progestational” quality.

Progesterone (present in the human body and all vertebrates) is a natural biological progestogen. Human progesterone is produced primarily by the corpus luteum after ovulation, and also by the placenta during pregnancy. The adrenal glands produce a small amount of progesterone, but this is not enough to prepare the body for pregnancy.

Progestins are man-made chemical molecules whose structure differs from those found in the human body. Their properties and effects are similar to those of progesterone, but since their molecules have a slightly different composition, there are also a number of other properties, and in some cases they are even more powerful than natural progesterone. As a result, progestins function differently in the body. At times this is necessary and welcome, but sometimes it causes a lot of trouble.

The use of synthetic progestins, especially medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), is the most common cause of unpleasant side effects associated with hormone therapy, including weight gain . There are two main factors that determine the balance of desired and undesirable side effects - the balance of progestin and estrogen in the drug and the relative balance of progestogen and androgen functioning. Progestin-only medications that lack estrogen

(Norplant, Depo-Provera) usually cause the most unpleasant side effects because the negative effects of progestin are not offset by the benefits that estrogen brings to the body.

Why use synthetic progestins if they cause so many side effects? There are situations and women who benefit from synthetic progestins or do not experience very many side effects. Some women experience increased hunger after taking natural progesterone, but this does not occur if they use norethindrone (found in Micronor and some birth control pills). All this is very individual. In order to choose the best option, we must take this into account.

How does Protesterone affect the body?

• Effect of progesterone on metabolism

The rapid changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle and the balance of estradiol and testosterone influence multiple metabolic functions on which weight regulation depends. These include the storage and use of carbohydrates and fats, the rate of gastric emptying, insulin release, cortisol production, caffeine and protein breakdown, food cravings, and the effects of hormones on the gallbladder and immune system. Progesterone and estradiol work together to regulate your body's fat stores, muscle building and recovery, and physique. They do this in part by changing the activity of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme found in fat cells (adipocytes). To reduce body fat (obesity), estradiol reduces the activity of LPL, while progesterone increases fat reserves for possible pregnancy, thereby increasing the activity of the LPL enzyme. And you still wonder why it is more difficult for a woman than a man to lose weight, even with diligent exercise!

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Progesterone is reduced

If conception has occurred, and there is a lack of this hormone in the body, the body of the expectant mother does not “know” that she needs to prepare for pregnancy. A new monthly cycle begins, and the body rejects the fertilized egg in the uterus. Thus, a lack of progesterone can cause miscarriage in the first trimester.

A lack of the hormone can also be observed during a short luteal phase, when less than 10 days pass from ovulation to the start of the next menstruation. The duration of the luteal phase can be calculated using a basal temperature chart.

If after ovulation the hormone level is reduced, this indicates a hormonal imbalance. Its reasons may be:

• insufficient function of the corpus luteum and placenta;
• uterine bleeding not associated with menstruation;
• miscarriage;
• post-term pregnancy;
• chronic inflammation of the reproductive system;
• intrauterine growth retardation;
• taking certain medications.

In such cases, among other things, treatment with progesterone in dosage form is prescribed.

Progesterone is increased

In women, the level of this hormone in the blood begins to rise in the middle of the menstrual cycle. During this period, the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. When the level is elevated, body temperature rises, including basal temperature.

An increased level may occur with:

• pregnancy;
• renal failure;
• uterine bleeding (not menstruation);
• deviations in the development of the placenta;
• corpus luteum cyst;
• absence of menstruation for more than 6 months;
• production of insufficient or excessive amounts of hormones in the adrenal glands;
• taking certain medications.

When the blood concentration of this hormone is low, medications are prescribed. Taking progesterone can cause side effects: high blood pressure, nausea, swelling.

Drugs are not prescribed if a woman has:

• vaginal bleeding;
• liver function is impaired;
• breast tumor.

Prescribe with caution in the following cases:

• diabetes mellitus;
• impaired kidney function;
• epilepsy;
• heart failure;
• migraine attacks;
• depression;
• bronchial asthma;
• breastfeeding;
• ectopic pregnancy.

A specialist can prescribe treatment only after an analysis. The dosage form in which the patient will take the drug - injections or tablets - is chosen by the doctor.

Types of injection solutions: progesterone 2.5%, progesterone 2% and progesterone 1%. In these preparations, the hormone is contained in a solution of olive or almond oil. The shelf life of the drug solution is 5 years from the date of manufacture.

Progesterone 1%, 2% and 2.5%, which is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously, acts on the body faster and more effectively than tablets.

The form in which progesterone is most often prescribed is injections . The doctor may prescribe a drug if your period is late to correct the hormonal balance. If your hormonal balance is disturbed, then this hormone, when your period is delayed, resumes the normal cycle. If you are pregnant and there is a risk of miscarriage, then it will help preserve the fetus.

How to normalize

Both with increased and decreased levels of progesterone, in order to lose weight you will need to undergo treatment prescribed by your doctor.

If you have low progesterone, you may be prescribed:

• tablets: Duphaston, Prajisan and Ascorbic acid;
• capsules for oral use and insertion into the vagina: Urozhestan and Lutein;
• vaginal tablets Endometrin;
• vaginal gel Crinon;
• cream for external use Pro-G-Yam, which contains wild yam;
• injections in the form of an oil solution for intramuscular administration - Oxyprogesterone;
• intramuscular or subcutaneous injections of Ingest;
• natural Progesterone in ampoules.

If elevated:

• Clomiphene tablets (one of the most powerful hormonal drugs);
• Mifepristone tablets (contraindicated during pregnancy as they can cause miscarriage);
• antiestrogenic tablets Tamoxifen;
• oral contraceptives: Diane-35, Yarina, Zhanine.

Physiotherapeutic treatment helps to cope with excess weight due to hyperprogesteronemia in a hospital setting:

• bromine and pine baths;
• acupuncture;
• magnetic resonance therapy;
• ozone therapy;
• electrosleep therapy;
• electrophoresis.

You need to know that self-administration of progesterone drugs is strictly prohibited. Incorrectly selected medications can be life-threatening and have irreversible health consequences.

I have an opinion. Some doctors believe that only the progesterone that the body produces is useful for the body. It is called endogenous. The hormone that a woman takes in the form of tablets, injections and even creams is foreign, exogenous, and therefore harmful.

OH-progesterone

OH-progesterone (other names: 17-OH-progesterone, 17-OH, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-OPG), contrary to popular belief, is not a hormone. It is a product of the metabolism of steroid hormones, which is secreted by the ovaries and the adrenal cortex. This is a kind of “semi-finished product” from which important hormones are formed. OH-progesterone is elevated or decreased during pregnancy A blood test during this period does not provide any useful information to the doctor. It is important what level of progesterone the baby has after birth.

OH-progesterone: normal

An analysis of the hormone concentration is taken on the 4th–5th day of the cycle. This must be done 8 hours or more after the last meal. If the adrenal glands are healthy and secrete OH-progesterone in sufficient quantities, the norm in women of childbearing age should be within the following range:

• 1.24–8.24 nmol/l - follicular phase;
• 0.91–4.24 nmol/l - ovulatory phase;
• 0.99–11.51 nmol/l - luteal phase.

During menopause, the hormone level decreases to 0.39–1.55 nmol/l. It can be increased in women during pregnancy:

• I trimester - 3.55–17.03 nmol/l;
• II trimester - 3.55–20 nmol/l;
• III trimester - 3.75–33.33 nmol/l.

Increase in OH-progesterone

At elevated levels, the following may develop:

• adrenal tumors;
• ovarian tumors;
• congenital disorders of the adrenal cortex.

Disturbances in the functioning of the adrenal cortex can manifest themselves:

• increased amount of hair in women on the face and chest;
• acne;
• menstrual irregularities;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• stillbirth;
• miscarriages;
• early child mortality.

Congenital adrenal cortex dysfunction (CAD) in a woman can also lead to infertility, but sometimes symptoms do not appear and pregnancy occurs without complications. If you have a decrease or increase in hormone levels, consult a specialist. With correct and timely analysis, you will be prescribed treatment that will help avoid the unpleasant consequences of the disease.

Symptoms of deviation from the norm

Only appropriate tests can confirm that there are problems in the body. But you can suspect them based on individual symptoms.

If progesterone is low:

• menstrual irregularities;
• difficulty conceiving;
• miscarriages (mainly in the first trimester);
• constipation, flatulence;
• excessive sweating, frequent chills;
• mood swings, depression, aggression, tearfulness, irritability;
• decreased libido;
• soreness and slight enlargement of the mammary glands;
• cracks in the vaginal mucosa, itching and burning in it;
• increased appetite, excess weight;
• headaches, hypertension;
• swelling on the face;
• rashes on the face, hair loss.

In women, many of these symptoms are popularly called “PMS.” They begin to appear 10 days before menstruation, reach a peak 3-4 days before and disappear immediately after the end. It's all due to the decline of progesterone. In men, hypoprogesteronymia manifests itself primarily in irritability and decreased sexual desire.

If progesterone is elevated:

• acne not only on the face, but also on the shoulders and back;
• hardening of the mammary glands, pain in the lower abdomen;
• excess weight;
• separation, fragility, thinning of nails and hair, seborrhea;
• hypotension;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• swelling of the legs;
• dizziness;
• chronic fatigue, apathy, depression, drowsiness, lethargy;
• bleeding that does not fit into the menstrual cycle.

If you lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, devote enough time to sports, but the excess weight does not go away and several of these symptoms are evident, you should take a hormone test and pay special attention to progesterone.

About the name. The term comes from the Latin preposition "pro" (translated as "before") and the English word "gesta" (meaning "pregnancy"). This reflects the fact that the normal content of this hormone in the body must be taken care of even before conception in order to bear a healthy baby.