We are often asked: what is the most common hormone imbalance we see? And without a doubt, low progesterone shows up in the vast majority of our patients who walk into Aphrodite.

Why does low progesterone happen?

The reason this particular imbalance occurs is a simple one. Progesterone is only created through ovulation. If you are not ovulating, or are ovulating poorly – whether that is due to chronic physical or emotional stress, undereating, over-exercising, chronic infection, extreme insulin resistance, or malnutrition – your body will not produce enough progesterone.

Weak ovulation means weak progesterone, and progesterone is the body’s way to “check” and balance estrogen. So every cycle as ovulation because more infrequent, circulating progesterone levels gets lower and lower while estrogen levels get higher and higher.

Common Symptoms of Low Progesterone

• Spotting
• Menstrual headaches
• Irregular periods
• Trouble sleeping
• Headaches

Common Diagnoses

Progesterone deficiency underlies most of the common roadblocks to fertility: PCOS, irregular cycles, endometriosis, adenomyosis, hypothyroidism, ovarian cysts, polyps, fibroids, recurrent pregnancy loss and more. In order to bring you progesterone levels higher, prioritizing follicular development is the key. That looks like

• Getting regular acupuncture
• Eating enough calories, consistently throughout the day
• Prioritizing sleep
• Choosing exercises that are more mat based and less HITT
• Slowing down the hustle pace of your day
• Moving to low-tox hair, skin and nail products
• Clearing toxic people from you life
• Tossing Clorox, bleach and lysol and moving over to a non-toxic cleaning brand
• 20 minute sauna sessions in the first two weeks of your cycle

Wondering if this imbalance applies to you? Book a fertility consultation or if you are local to San Diego, schedule an in person treatment with one of our specialists.