The Role of Progesterone

Progesterone is one of our sex hormones. Its sister hormone is estrogen and together they help to regulate our menstrual cycles. Progesterone helps us a lot during the second half of our cycles. After ovulation, your body starts to produce progesterone which gently boosts our metabolism, slightly raises our body temperature and serves to hold the uterine lining in place making it an optimal landing place for possible fertilization and conception.

Hormones help us feel good, regulate our sleep and energy rhythms and keep us in sync with our daily, monthly and yearly cycles. As we move forward in our life cycles, progesterone will play a key role in our Metal years; also known as Perimenopause. As your ovarian function starts to shift and change, your body will slowly start to depend less and less on them for hormone production and more on your adrenals. Remember, ovulation is a major way your body produces progesterone. 

During perimenopause, ovulation is not guaranteed every month which means you’re not producing progesterone at the same levels as you’re normally used to. We may skip a cycle or two. You may notice some changes in the way you feel and in the regularity of your cycles. And, as we start to ovulate less and less, our bodies will turn to another source of progesterone production which happens in the adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands are associated with kidney energy in Chinese Medicine and this is where our reserves are stored; (our bodies’ savings account). This is the reserves of energy that your body will learn to live on for the rest of your life. Needless to say, the state of your reserves/kidney/adrenal system is really important! How are your adrenals doing? 

Want to learn more about your hormones and view them through the lens of Yin & Yang? Download our free webinar on the Yin & Yang of Hormones to learn more. 

Perimenopause and Premenstruation Connection

The transition from your Earthy reproductive years into your Metal Perimenopausal years marks a huge shift in your hormonal symphony. Perimenopause is likened to puberty since there’s a massive turnover of change. Your body is slowly moving from your reproductive years into your non reproductive years. During your reproductive years, your premenstrual (luteal) phase mirrors what might happen during your Perimenopausal years on a grander scale. Let me explain.

As we laid out above, your premenstrual phase (the second half of your menstrual cycle) is regulated by progesterone. Your levels of progesterone are so important during this time. If the ratio of progesterone to estrogen is altered during this time in your cycle, you may feel mood, energy, sleep and emotional changes. This same set of symptoms can happen on a little bit of a grander scale during perimenopause. 

Progesterone plays a key role in your Metal Perimenopausal years. Since ovulation is not guaranteed every month, your levels of progesterone are going to be different. Your body can and will adapt to this by depending on your adrenals to amend the hormonal offset. But what if your adrenals are shot?!?! 

Your Perimenopausal journey really depends on how you show up to the door of this life cycle. How are your stress management skills? Are you overworked, overtaxed, tired, exhausted and burned out? The natural progression of your reproductive window will slowly start to depend on the health of your kidney adrenal system as your ovarian function slows down. How will you support yourself during this transition? How can you protect the levels of progesterone that you have? How can you help your body continue to produce endogenous progesterone through your perimenopausal years? All of these questions and more are answered in my self study e-course, The Alchemy of Perimenopause. 

Progesterone and Stress

Transient stress is commonplace and pretty normal, but in times of prolonged, chronic stress, your body must adapt to survive it. In order to do so, it may occasionally borrow progesterone and convert it to cortisol if cortisol is running low. So, yay, you'll survive another day, but this may lead to some hormonal disharmony. Reproduction is usually last on the list of priorities when your body is under perceived danger. This is why your body will pull from your sex hormones and convert it to what it needs. 

Did you know that your body is more sensitive to stress during the second half of your menstrual cycle (premenstrual phase)? I think many of us can attest to this, but I think we’d all like to know how to manage it a bit better. Since some stress is unavoidable, pay attention and manage the stressors that you do have control over. Be firm and protective of your time and energy. Maintain your sleep and wake cycles as well as your mealtimes. Some exercise might register as stress to your body, so as you near your period, opt for lower intensity routines. All of these things can really help to protect your progesterone during your premenstrual phase.

The same rings true with stress and our perimenopausal years. We will be more sensitive to stress during this season of life because of the changes that happen with progesterone. The production of progesterone naturally changes during this life cycle and if by chance we come into this journey with overtaxed and overdrawn adrenals, then our journey can be a little more rocky and stormy. So let’s talk about the similar energetic themes that our body needs during our premenstrual phase and perimenopausal years that can make the journey more easeful.

Ways to Protect your Progesterone for your Premenstrual Phase and Perimenopausal Years

• Manage Stress

Stress is unavoidable, and many triggers are beyond our control. But, we do have control over certain stressors. Ask yourself, what’s pulling at your energy right now? What is causing you the most stress and taxing you the most? Is there a way that you can shift that or completely eliminate it? Do you need the help of some herbal allies to help your body adapt to stress a bit better? What are your favorite ways to manage your stress? Do you run or take long daily walks? Are you a meditator or forest bather? Do you play an instrument or create art? The more your body feels “safe” and out of danger, the more your cycles and rhythms will be supported. 

• Letting Go

Your premenstrual phase and your perimenopausal years are both influenced by the Metal element in Chinese Medicine. This is called your Inner Autumn. This season teaches us lessons in letting go. The organs associated with the Metal element are the Lungs and Large Intestines. These organs take in and separate the pure from the turbid. We extract the essence and then let go of the wastes. What needs letting go? What are we overburdened with? What do we need to leave behind so that we can move forward with only the things that bring us joy? How can you spark your inner Marie Kondo? 

• Turn Inward

The season of Autumn starts to turn inward towards Yin as we move from the more Yang seasons of Spring and Summer. Your inner autumn (premenstruation and perimenopause) are where your body, mind and spirit also turn inwards. As your Yang seeks solace in the Yin in order to rest, how can you support this natural draw? How can you modify your daily schedule to meet your body’s needs during this time? Perhaps cook warmer, cooked foods. Maybe change your exercise routine so that it’s not too intense. You could stay in versus go out? You can practice saying no. Tend to things your body has been communicating to you. Tend to your home and what’s close to you. What do you like to do when your energy draws more inward?