progesterone and the estrogens
progesterone
Used to help balance the effects of estrogen, progesterone is the happy hormone. It helps to manage PMS, deter estrogen dominant weight gain, relieve hormone-related mood swings and improve quality of sleep. Progesterone reduces uterine and breast cancer. Progesterone is prescribed in both oral and cream form, depending on what symptoms we are treating. On day 14 of the menstrual cycle, progesterone production increases. This is a signal for the body to develop more blood vessels in the uterus. In the event of pregnancy, these additional blood vessels allow for the early growth of an embryo.
Progesterone’s main role is to block excess estrogen activity in the body, producing a number of benefits including:
Protection against uterine cancer
Normalization of blood clotting
Reduction of anxiety
Anti-inflammatory actions
Relaxing smooth muscles
Utilizing fat stores for energy
Brain protection
It is very common for progesterone levels to fall from age 25-50 while estrogen production remains stable. This creates a situation of estrogen dominance, the most common hormone imbalance in cycling women.
Progesterone deficiency symptoms are the same symptoms that occur with estrogen dominance.
Some symptoms of low progesterone levels include:
Breast tenderness
Anxiety
Pain with intercourse
Infertility
Breast swelling
Nervousness
Insomnia
Fibrocystic breasts
Female patients from all life stages require progesterone. It is important to note, however, that different forms of progesterone can help with different symptoms.
estrogen
Estrogens are a group of steroid compounds mainly produced by follicles in the ovaries during a woman’s reproductive years. Estrogen is responsible for the “feminine” features of women and has action in 300 tissues of the body. Estrogen is a factor in all of the following:
Feminine body shape
Vaginal lubrication
Memory and mental calculation
Skin tone
Maintenance of healthy bones
Strength of the bladder and vaginal walls
Estrogen production in women is usually well maintained until menopause. Once menopause happens, the symptoms of estrogen deficiency typically develop. Symptoms of estrogen deficiency include:
three important estrogens
There are three major naturally occurring estrogens in the body that are worth mentioning in greater detail: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3):
Estrone (E1) is mainly produced after menopause. It is the most harmful estrogen and higher levels of it are linked to increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. It comes from the liver, adrenal glands, fat tissue and breasts. It has the potential to convert to Estradiol giving relief from menopausal symptoms. If suffering from either adrenal fatigue and/or liver stress, however, symptoms can worsen as your body is not producing adequate levels. This estrogen is not used in BHRT Canada preparations.
Estradiol (E2) is the main female sex hormone, produced mainly in women . It is the main driver of body shape development, including breast development. Estradiol also affects bone density, skin elasticity and firmness, and growth of the reproductive organs. Estradiol levels can be used to check the function of the ovaries and adrenal glands. This is the main hormone that gives relief from menopausal symptoms.
Estriol (E3) is produced in extremely small quantities normally. However, during pregnancy Estriol becomes the most produced hormone. Unlike Estrone (E1), it cannot convert to Estradiol. Research shows higher levels of Estriol are associated with decreased risk of breast cancer.
References
Chisholm, A (2022) What is Progesterone? Very Well Health.
Herndon, J (2022) Estrogen Types and Their Connection to Breast Cancer. Very Well Health.
Hormone Health Network. What Is Estrogen? Last updated August 2018.
Hormone Health Network. What is Estrone? Last updated September 2020.
Hormone Health Network. Estradiol. Last updated September 2020.
Ali ES, Mangold C, Pieris AN. Estriol: Emerging clinical benefits. Menopause. 2017;24(9):1081-1085. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000855
