Progesterone and Menopause: What Every Woman Should Know

Menopause is a big event in any woman’s life. It causes hormonal changes that might affect health, comfort, and well-being. When people talk about menopause, estrogen frequently gets all the attention. But progesterone is just as important, and knowing what it does is the key to doing well in this new phase of life.

The Science: Estrogen and progesterone are linked at the receptor level.

One important thing that people may not know is that progesterone receptors are found all over the body.  Not only are there receptors in the brain, bones, uterus, and breast tissue but also in the pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, kidney, bladder, lung, adrenal gland and skin! Both estrogen and progesterone are necessary for keeping reproductive and general health in good shape and in the brain, both modulate cognitive and neuroprotective functions. Their receptors work together to control cell growth, differentiation, and hormone balance. Both estrogen and progesterone levels drop throughout menopause, but the drop isn’t always the same, which can cause symptoms and health problems. 1

New Studies: Progesterone Is Back in the News

Hormone therapy is making a comeback for managing menopause after decades of being misunderstood. The story has changed from one of caution to one of a more nuanced understanding: new research shows that combining estrogen and progesterone is safe and works for most women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause starting.2,3

Recent studies show that progesterone has a number of useful effects:

• Lessens hot flashes and night sweats: Taking progesterone every day can make both less frequent and less intense.
• Sleep and mood support: Progesterone helps you sleep better and feel more stable emotionally, which can help with insomnia and anxiety that often come with menopause.4
• Protects the endometrium and lowers the risk of cancer: Estrogen alone can make the lining of the uterus thicker, which raises the risk of cancer. Progesterone keeps it thin, which lowers the chance of uterine, cervical, and maybe even colorectal cancers.5
• Helps brain function: Bioidentical progesterone protects the brain and increases BDNF Brain Derived Neurotropic Factors that promote the growth and differentiation of neurons and is involved with learning and memory. 6 
• Enhances cardiovascular biomarkers: A new study from the Women’s Health Initiative found that hormone therapy that includes both estrogen and progesterone decreases cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease, especially in women who are 10 years or less away from menopause.7

Why This Is Important

Women who ignore progesterone may get long-term symptoms and health problems that could have been avoided. Progesterone is more than simply a “pregnancy hormone.” It is important for sleep, heart health, bone strength, and emotional health. Adding progesterone to estrogen therapy is not only suggested for women with a uterus, it is also vital for their safety even if they don’t have a uterus! Even ladies who don’t need estrogen may benefit from progesterone alone in some cases.[9][7]

Motivation: Take Control of the Benefits of Menopause

Menopause is not the end; it is the start. Women today can use scientific knowledge and safe treatments to turn their midlife struggles into a celebration of health and strength.

• Talk to a menopause expert about your options for hormone therapy.
• Ask about combination therapy, which is when estrogen and progesterone are used together.
• Keep an eye on your symptoms and keep track of changes in your sleep, emotions, and thinking.
• Put therapies that safeguard your brain, heart, and bone health at the top of your list.
• Keep up with the news: Science is moving quickly, and things that were true 20 years ago could not be true now.

Things Every Woman Should Do

• Don’t just accept your symptoms as normal; talk about them.
• Ask your doctor to check your hormone levels.
• Look into safe, bioidentical hormone therapy that is right for you based on your health history.
• Be your own advocate and ask your doctor about the most recent studies.
• Keep in mind that balanced hormones lead to better sleep, mood, memory, and quality of life.
• Apply for a no obligation clarity call to see if we are a good fit if you are in NY, NJ, PA, FL or AZ.

The Bottom Line

Progesterone is a strong friend throughout menopause. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are made to act together by nature. Research done now shows that progesterone is necessary for relieving symptoms, preventing disease, and maintaining good health. Be open to science, stay up to date, and enjoy this new stage of life with energy and confidence.

FAQs

What is a normal progesterone level for a woman in menopause?

During menopause, progesterone levels drop and often remain very low. While “normal” can vary from person to person, it’s common for levels to be below 1 ng/mL once cycles have fully stopped.

Does progesterone increase breast size in menopause?

This is a common myth as for most women, progesterone doesn’t increase breast size in menopause. The myth came about as hormonal shifts can cause mild changes in fullness mainly due to fluid retention, but this is often temporary.

Does progesterone decrease in menopause?

Yes, progesterone does decrease during menopause. This happens because as ovulation stops, the ovaries stop producing progesterone, leading to a sharp decline. This drop is one of the main contributors to menopausal symptoms.

How does progesterone help in menopause?

Progesterone can calm the nervous system, support deeper sleep, and help reduce anxiety or irritability. It also works with estrogen to keep the hormonal environment more balanced, which can make the physical and emotional side of menopause easier to manage.

What are the benefits of progesterone in menopause

Benefits of adding HRT during menopause can include better sleep, fewer hot flashes, improved mood, and reduced bloating. Many women also find it helps with mental clarity and stabilizes day-to-day energy levels.

References:

1. Asavasupreechar T, Saito R, Miki Y, Edwards DP, Boonyaratanakornkit V, Sasano H. Systemic distribution of progesterone receptor subtypes in human tissues. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2020;199:105599. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105599
2. Simon JA, Davis SR, Lindén Hirschberg A, et al. State of the art in menopause: current best practice approaches from the IMS World Congress 2024, Melbourne. Climacteric. 2025;28(2):98-103. doi:10.1080/13697137.2025.2457993
3. “The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position  Statement of The North American Menopause Society” Advisory  Panel. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2022;29(7):767-794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028
4. Nolan BJ, Liang B, Cheung AS. Efficacy of Micronized Progesterone for Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial Data. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;106(4):e942-e951. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa873
5. Gompel A. Progesterone and endometrial cancer. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;69:95-107. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.05.003
6. Singh M, Su C. Progesterone, BDNF and Neuroprotection. Neuroscience. 2013;239:84-91. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.056
7. Nudy M, Aragaki AK, Jiang X, et al. Long-Term Changes to Cardiovascular Biomarkers After Hormone Therapy in the Women’s Health Initiative Hormone Therapy Clinical Trials. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2025;145(4):357. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000005862

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