Progesterone Imbalance

You may have low progesterone levels if you answer yes to any of the questions below. Hormone testing in the luteal phase (second half of menstrual cycle after ovulation and before menstruating) of your menstrual cycle is the ideal way to assess progesterone levels relative to estrogen levels.

The below symptoms may happen when progesterone is too low or estrogen is too dominant.

1. Do you have irregular cycles (long or short or variable)?

2. Have you stopped getting a period altogether?

3. Do you have spotting before your period? 

4. Do you experience strong menstrual cramping?

5. Do you experience heavy or prolonged bleeding?

6. Do you experience pre-menstrual breast pain or an increase in breast size?

7. Do you experience water retention premenstrually?

8. Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis or fibroids?

9. Do you feel more anxious or nervous pre-menstrually?

10. Do you experience poor quality sleep before and during your period?

Estrogen Imbalance

As discussed above, high levels of estrogen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle can create an imbalance with progesterone, causing and estrogen dominant state. This often creates increased risk of fibroids, endometriosis and thickening of the uterine lining.

Low Estrogen

Estrogen levels naturally begin to fluctuate and decrease as women enter into their peri-menopause and menopausal phases. You may be experiencing low estrogen if you answer yes to some of the following questions.

1. Do you have trouble falling asleep or frequently wake in the middle of the night?

2. Do you suffer from hot flashes or fluctuations in hot and cold body temperature?

3. Do you experience night sweats?

4. Are you more forgetful than you used to be? 

5. Do you ever find yourself losing your words?

6. Do you feel your mood is lower than it used to be? Do you feel uninspired?

7. Do you feel less social?  Do you secretly prefer not to leave the house?

8. Do you see signs of aging recently – dryer skin, droopy skin?

9. Have you lost general motivation to get out there and do things?

10. Has your sexual drive diminished?

11. Do you notice a decrease in vaginal lubrication compared to before?  

12. Do you have urinary incontinence or difficulty holding in your urine?

13. Are you experiencing adult-onset acne?

Testosterone Imbalance

High levels of testosterone can accur in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. You may have excess testosterone or PCOS if you suffer from the following symptoms:

• Irregular or absent menses
• Painful ovulation
• Excess body or facial hair growth 
• Thinning of head hair
• Oily skin
• Acne outbreaks
• Irritable/aggressive mood changes
• Abdominal obesity
• Type 2-Diabetes
• Skin tags