Progesterone Deficiency: 9 Signs You’re Running Low

Progesterone is a key hormone in the female body that helps regulate the menstrual cycle, supports pregnancy, and balances other hormones like estrogen. When progesterone levels drop too low, it can cause a variety of signs and symptoms that affect both physical health and emotional well-being. Here are nine common signs you might be running low on progesterone:

**1. Irregular or Spotty Periods**
Low progesterone can disrupt your menstrual cycle, causing irregular periods or spotting before your period starts. This happens because progesterone helps prepare the uterus lining for a healthy period and pregnancy.

**2. Difficulty Conceiving or Maintaining Pregnancy**
Progesterone plays an important role in fertility by preparing the uterus to support an embryo after ovulation. If levels are low, it may be harder to get pregnant or keep a pregnancy going, leading to early miscarriages.

**3. Mood Swings and Increased Anxiety**
Hormonal imbalances often affect mood. Low progesterone can cause irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and even feelings of depression because it influences brain chemicals related to calmness.

**4. Breast Tenderness and Bloating**
When progesterone drops but estrogen stays high (a condition called estrogen dominance), you might notice swollen breasts that feel sore as well as bloating due to fluid retention.

**5. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats**
These classic menopause-like symptoms can also appear with low progesterone levels since this hormone helps regulate body temperature along with other hormones.

**6. Trouble Sleeping (Insomnia)**
Progesterone has calming effects on the nervous system; when it’s low you may find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night.

**7. Low Libido (Reduced Sex Drive)**
A drop in progesterone often comes with decreased interest in sex because hormonal balance affects sexual desire directly.

**8. Weight Gain Around Midsection**
Low progesterone combined with higher estrogen tends to promote fat storage especially around the belly area making weight management more challenging.

**9. Hormonal Acne or Skin Changes**
Some women experience acne flare-ups linked to hormonal shifts caused by insufficient progesterone which affects oil production in skin glands.

If you’re noticing several of these signs together—especially changes in your menstrual cycle combined with mood shifts—it could point toward low progesterone levels affecting your health in multiple ways beyond just reproductive issues alone.