Progesterone, which is produced in the ovaries, is a hormone that regulates women's menstrual cycle and is required by the body during pregnancy. Fluctuations in progesterone levels may cause symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, bloating and hot flashes, among many others. Progesterone levels may be lowered as a woman approaches menopause, and this may cause hormonal imbalance. Natural progesterone may be used as a hormone replacement.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone levels can fluctuate in women of all ages. You may experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance during your menstrual cycle, throughout pregnancy or as you are approaching menopause. Hormonal imbalance can cause infertility, irritability, low blood sugar, water retention, bloating and panic attacks. A healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet, and regular exercise can help reduce fluctuations in hormone levels. There are occasions when hormone replacement therapy is prescribed by a health professional to combat extreme symptoms.
Hormone Replacement
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is most commonly used in women during menopause. As you approach menopause, you may experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings. This is caused by low levels of progesterone being naturally produced in the body. Progesterone deficiency can be remedied by HRT; however, there can be side effects to the therapy. HRT may also be considered to alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. When taking a course of HRT, discuss the side effects and any potential health risks fully with a health professional.
Bloating
Many women experience bloating when there is a fluctuation in hormone levels. Bloating is caused when high levels of progesterone are produced. This slows down the gastrointestinal system and causes abdominal discomfort, flatulence and water retention. Changes in hormone levels cause the body to retain sodium. Some lifestyle changes, including eating a lower-salt diet and increasing exercise levels, can help reduce the symptoms of bloating and excess fluid retention. Other options include the use of natural progesterone to manage symptoms.
Natural Progesterone
Natural progesterone may be used as a hormone replacement during menopause, or to alleviate symptoms of bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome. Natural progesterone is bio-identical to the progesterone produced by the human body. This means it has the same structure and is not synthetically manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. It is derived from plant sources, and manufacturers claim that is has very few side effects compared to synthetic progesterone. They also claim that it can reduce the symptoms of bloating in women.
Side Effects
Natural progesterone is thought to have few side effects. Women may experience increased tiredness when using the product. The dose used is important as you may experience symptoms of excessive progesterone levels if the dose is too high. These include symptoms of bloating, mild depression and lethargy. It is recommended that treatment be started at the lowest possible dose, and gradually increased. If these side effects are experienced, the dose can then be altered.
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