Low progesterone can increase conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
Progesterone is a necessity for good health and longevity.  The Role of Progesterone Progesterone’s roles include converting fat into energy, regulating thyroid hormone production, boosting the immune system, and helping to reboot libido.  This natural anti-depressant also aids in normalizing blood clotting, helps to initiate sleep, and is a natural diuretic. Because it activates the brain’s GABA receptor sites, progesterone has a calming effect on the body.
Progesterone is an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT, also known as bad testosterone, is the cause of female pattern balding, acne and oily skin.
Testosterone is produced by the gonads (by the Leydig cells in testes in men and by the ovaries in women), although small quantities are also produced by the adrenal glands in both sexes. It is an androgen, meaning that it stimulates the development of male characteristics. Present in much greater levels in men than women but in women  Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman's reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behaviors. This hormone also signals the body to make new blood cells, ensures that muscles and bones stay strong during and after puberty and enhances libido both in men and women. About 10% of the testosterone in the bodies of both men and women is converted into dihydrotestosterone in adults, with a much higher amount in puberty. This may be why it is so closely related to the triggering of puberty. The dihydrotestosterone hormone is much more powerful than testosterone. During menopause, your body's production progesterone can decline. Alongside this decline in female hormone production, your sensitivity to male hormones such as DHT can increase. Progesterone can help reduce the conversion to DHT. Talk to your doctor about replacing your progesterone in perimenopause with natural bioidentical progesterone cream.
*Join the women's hormone and weight loss program OnTrack to find out exactly how to replace your dropping hormones in perimenopause.  Â
Find Karen Martel on Apply Podcast
Karen Martel is a Certified Hormone Specialist and Transformational Nutrition Coach dedicated to empowering women through their health journeys.
As the host of the popular podcast The Hormone Solution, Karen tackles the complexities of hormonal health, weight loss resistance, and the challenges that come with perimenopause and menopause.
Her mission is to disrupt outdated narratives surrounding women's health, providing reliable information and practical solutions that help women reclaim their vitality.
Tune in to discover how to embrace life's stages while enhancing overall well-being.
Listen to more
Irregular Periods in Perimenopause: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How HRT Really Plays In
by
Are you baffled by the rollercoaster of irregular periods during perimenopause? Wondering why your cycle seems to have a mind of its own, even when you're on hormone replacement therapy? This episode is your guide to navigating the tumultuous terrain of perimenopausal hormonal changes. What role do key hormones like progesterone, estradiol, and FSH play in this chaotic phase? Can herbal remedies truly aid in balancing your hormones and easing your symptoms? Discover how understanding your body's signals can empower you through this transition. How do bioidentical hormones help manage these changes? What is the secret to maintaining balance and reducing symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings? Tune in to uncover these mysteries and more as we demystify perimenopause and offer actionable insights.