Progesterone and estrogen are the two primary female sex hormones. During the reproductive years, levels of these two hormones move up and down during different times of the menstrual cycle. As menopause approaches, progesterone levels start to drop. This change in the relationship between estrogen and progesterone levels can cause the familiar menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, irregular periods, cessation of periods and night sweats.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes, known medically as vasomotor flushes, make you feel hot and sweaty, especially in the head and neck area. Although they are more often associated with menopause, hot flashes can occur during the reproductive years as well. Women who have high estrogen levels or whose estrogen levels fluctuate from high to low can also experience hot flashes, even if they are not menopausal. Hot flashes affect 50 to 85 percent of women during menopause.
Night Sweats
In menopause, hot flashes and night sweats are well-known symptoms. A night sweat can cause you to awaken dripping with sweat and may even require a change of bed clothes. Hot flashes and night sweats are believed to result from changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that are responsible for fluctuating hormone levels of peri-menopause, the stage that precedes menopause. Night sweats can also signal the presence of disease such as AIDS or tuberculosis, therefore, never assume a night sweat is related to menopause. Consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Progesterone
During peri-menopause, progesterone gradually starts to decrease, while estrogen levels fluctuate. If your periods become irregular, you may not produce progesterone for several months, which can disrupt the balance of estrogen and progesterone and lead to symptoms such as night sweats. Once you enter full menopause, your body will stop producing progesterone entirely, although you may still have up to 40 percent of the estrogen you had before menopause.
Progesterone Therapy
Progesterone replacement therapy is one option for dealing with menopausal symptoms such as night sweats. Gynecologist, national speaker and author Dr. Christiane Northup suggests 1/4 teaspoon of 2 percent natural progesterone cream rubbed into the skin once or twice a day. If you are still having periods, you should use the cream three weeks a month and then stop for a week; if your periods have ceased, use it every day. Synthetic progesterone creams and progesterone-impregnated vaginal rings, as well as oral progesterone or progesterone/estrogen combinations, are also available.
References
- Women in Balance: Progesterone Information
- Medline Plus; Menopause; David Zieve, M.D. Susan Storck, M.D.; September 2010
- Dr. Northup.com; Hot Flashes; Christiane Northup; August 2009
- Healthy Women: Progesterone; September 2009
- “Menopause International”; A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of Progestelle Progesterone Cream on Postmenopausal Women; B. Benster, et al.; June 2009
- “Gynecological Endocrinology”; Estradiol/Progesterone-Releasing Vaginal Rings for Hormone Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women; A.L. Hamada, et al.; June 2003
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