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The Effect of Progesterone on Estrogen

Progesterone is one of the female sex hormones that is essential to the menstrual cycle and a woman's ability to reproduce. Progesterone works hand in hand with estrogen, which is the other female hormone.

  1. Low Levels of Progesterone

    • If progesterone levels are low in relation to estrogen levels, this can result in estrogen overload or dominance. When this happens, a woman may experience extreme premenstrual syndrome symptoms as well as hot flashes and night sweats.

    Nearing Menopause

    • Progesterone serves to keep estrogen in its place. Estrogen levels decline when ovulation occurs and that is when progesterone levels increase and take charge. If a woman stops ovulating regularly because she is nearing menopause, her progesterone levels decrease because progesterone is not produced when ovulation does not occur. This is when estrogen levels can sky rocket and create problems for a women physically and emotionally.

    Identification

    • If you are still ovulating, progesterone is released into your body when the egg follicle ruptures during ovulation.

    What It Does

    • Progesterone instructs the body to get rid of tissue, if conception does not occur, which results in a menstrual period. On the other hand, estrogen provokes tissue growth, according to Marcelle Pick, nurse practitioner, of Womentowomen.com.

    Their Roles

    • According to the late Dr. John Lee, who was a pioneer in progesterone research, progesterone is a natural diuretic while estrogen makes a woman retain fluid. Progesterone protects against fibrocystic breasts whereas estrogen stimulates breast cells. Progesterone is calming and a natural antidepressant while estrogen can cause headaches, anxiety and depression. Progesterone prevents cyclical headaches while estrogen causes them. Progesterone promotes libido while estrogen diminishes it.

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