Hormones Impact more than just the Menstrual Cycle
Progesterone regulates the menstrual cycle and supports the uterine lining for a pregnancy. To understand the other impacts on the body, it is helpful to understand the menstrual cycle more in depth.
Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is composed of two cycle happening together - the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle. Each named for the location of the changes occurring. The ovarian cycle, the ovary, and the uterine cycle, the uterus.
Ovarian Cycle
During the ovarian cycle, follicles and ovas, or eggs, mature. This is called the follicular phase. One ova is released from the most mature follicle. The release of the ova is known as ovulation. After the ova releases from the follicle, the follicle forms a temporary structure called the corpus luteum. This is called the luteal phase. The corpus luteum releases the hormone progesterone. This spike in progesterone helps to build and plump the uterine lining to support a pregnancy (1).
If the ova is not fertilized, no pregnancy, the corpus luteum will break down completely and trigger the uterine lining to shed, the period will begin. If fertilization, pregnancy, does occur, the corpus luteum will remain intact to support the pregnancy until the placenta is able to support the pregnancy on its own (1).
The Luteal Phase Your Body on Progesterone
Progesterone becomes the dominant hormone during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle (1). The luteal phase is the time from ovulation to the start of a period. This is a transformative time for mood and overall feeling of wellness as it begins with the sexy high of ovulation and ends with the well known low mood that a period could bring on.
Let’s look at some of the changes that are occurring.
Progesterone on the Body
Slows Digestion
Progesterone inhibits gastrointestinal mobility by impacting the smooth muscle of the intestines. The smooth muscle contracts and relaxes to move food though the digestive system. Progesterone slows these contractions down. This means slower digestion and typically constipation (2).
What can you do about it?
Stay hydrated, eat lots of fiber, and magnesium rich foods to support elimination (3).
Progesterone on Mood
Progesterone is a hormone that is easily able to cross the blood-brain barrier (4). This is a barrier that regulates what is able to reach the brain and is a protective mechanism for the brain. In some areas of the brain, there are higher concentrations of progesterone than in the blood stream (5). The highest concentrations of progesterone in the brain are found around the
amygdala, a structure responsible for emotional responses. These studies are widely performed on animals. Unfortunately, this does impact our complete understanding in the human body.
What does this mean?
Responding quicker to negative events. Think snapping at a partner or friend at something that you typically wouldn’t be reactive to.
Some researchers believe that this is an evolutionarily adapted protective response to physical threat. Pregnancy may occur during the luteal phase and progesterone remains high during pregnancy (6). I think of this like a mama bear hormone. Progesterone is not all bad.
Its impacts are not only central to the brain but also impacts mood through its influence on neurotransmitters which act within the brain and nervous system. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate with each other throughout the body (4). Through these mechanisms, progesterone may impair memory and cause drowsiness (4).
What does this mean?
Better sleep. This drowsiness is not all bad. During levels of high progesterone, menstruating people typically get a better quality sleep and longer sleep (7).
Try to listen to your body during this time and give it the sleep it needs.
Under stress, progesterone could be converted to a hormone called cortisol. You may have heard of it. Cortisol, often known as the stress hormone, could raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and create the body changes you feel when you are stressed (4).
What can you do about it?
Support serotonin production, our feel good hormone. Eat complex carbohydrates: sweet potatoes, pumpkin, oats, brown rice.
So what does this mean for mood? PMS. Maybe. The research and understanding of hormonal fluctuations and impact of the menstruating person’s body are evolving and many are inconclusive at this time.
If you are a menstruating person take note to how the rise and fall of progesterone impact how you feel. Support yourself and needs. More tired? Rest. More hungry? Eat. Reactive? Meditate. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle change your needs. It is okay to be a social butterfly at the start of your cycle, then need more time for rest, introspection, and alone time after ovulation. See if you could become more in tune to what these needs are for you.
Happy exploring!
All content copyright Ariel Zablocki
