Progesterone – The good and the bad!

Progesterone is a powerful hormone that can have both helpful and frustrating effects. It plays a key role in pregnancy, helps muscles to relax and influences mood and brain function. But while some feel its calming effects, others struggle with PMS or other unwanted symptoms. So, let’s dive into the good and the bad of progesterone!

Progesterone, produced in the ovary after ovulation, is a crucial hormone when it comes to pregnancy.

It plays a key role in preparing the uterus to be a cozy home for a fertilized egg to settle and grow. Without enough progesterone, the egg simply can't implant and pregnancy can't happen.

Effects on smooth muscles

But progesterone's role in our bodies doesn't end there – it has a big impact on many other parts of your body. 

Particularly the smooth muscles, which are muscles we don't control consciously.

These muscles can be found in the uterus, intestines, stomach and the muscles that control when we go to the bathroom. 

Progesterone helps all the muscles of our female and private parts to relax.

Something that’s essential during pregnancy because it prevents the uterus from contracting and causing a miscarriage. 

However, this relaxation also has some downsides: 
It can lead to constipation, heartburn, and sometimes even gas that escapes without warning.

Changes during the menstrual cycle

Progesterone also prepares our breasts ready for breastfeeding by promoting the lactation of glandular tissue to proliferate. 

This growth peaks during the luteal phase (the second half of your menstrual cycle). Some women notice their breasts becoming fuller and more tender during this time. 

This change may even make mammograms a bit tricky mid-cycle when the breasts are denser.

Progesterone's impact on mood

But that's not all – progesterone also affects the brain. 

After ovulation, it causes a small rise in your basal body temperature, which can help you track when you've ovulated. 

However, some of its effects on the brain aren't so pleasant. Or rather the potential pleasant versus unpleasant effects seem to depend a lot on the hormonal level and the person experiencing the effects. 

Progesterone breaks down into several compounds. One of which interacts with a specific brain receptor (the GABAA receptor). 

It’s thought that fluctuations in these compounds during the luteal phase might be linked to mood changes. 

This could be why some women experience premenstrual mood symptoms (PMS). Or in more severe cases, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can cause intense mood swings and have a significant negative impact on our daily lives. 

Other women experience progesterone (and synthetic progesterins in hormone therapy) as calming, improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety.

Its impact on us with ADHD?

There is not yet any research that explores if progesterone affect girls and women with ADHD differently. However, a recent study from Holland suggests that females with ADHD experience worse PMS and PMDD-symptoms. 

While waiting for the research to catch up, we should make sure to arm ourselves with as much knowledge as we can! 

Check out this previous post, if you want to learn more on estrogen and progesterone during the female cycle.

In short, progesterone is essential for pregnancy, but it may also come with ups as well as downsides for some women affecting how they feel both physically and emotionally.

Remember, Letterlife and our Community are here to support you!

Lotta Borg Skoglund

MD PhD & Letterlife Co-founder