Exercise may cause low progesterone under certain conditions. Knowing how to maintain normal progesterone levels can help you avoid reproductive and bone problems. Gradually increasing activity and learning signs of progesterone deficiency will help you develop an exercise regimen that leads to optimal health.
Progesterone in Women
Progesterone is a hormone that prepares the lining of a woman's uterus for the fertilized egg and maintains pregnancy. It is primarily produced by the ovaries after ovulation. Small amounts of this hormone are produced by the adrenal cortex and larger amounts are produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone is converted into other steroid hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and cortisol.
Exercise and Progesterone Production
Progesterone levels do not change due to moderate exercise, but intense athletic training may lower progesterone levels in women. Ovarian function and menstrual cycles can become irregular or even stop when women perform intense workouts regularly. This decline in progesterone production puts female athletes at increased risk for decreased bone density and stress fractures. Intense exercise combined with an eating disorder puts women at risk for bone loss and osteoporosis. Let your physician know if you train rigorously, as your hormone levels should be carefully monitored.
Description of Exercise Levels
Women who begin exercising slowly and work up to running 15 to 20 miles per week are considered to be performing at a moderate level. If these women give their bodies a year or more to work up to this athletic level, progesterone levels will remain unchanged. Sedentary women who begin running 30 to 50 miles per week are performing at an intense level. This level of exercise is likely to result in a significant reduction in progesterone levels which could lead to menstrual abnormalities.
Symptoms of Progesterone Deficiency
If you feel irritable or have increased anxiety, you may be experiencing a progesterone deficiency. Other signs that your progesterone levels are low include breast tenderness, miscarriages and infertility. You may crave carbohydrates, have difficulty sleeping and have irregular periods when your progesterone is low. During menstruation, you may experience excessive cramping, mood swings, water retention and bloating if your progesterone levels are deficient. Weight gain in your hips and low body temperature are also signs of progesterone deficiency.
