Does Bioidentical Progesterone Have a Role in Weight Loss

May 4. 2021

It’s normal for people to notice weight fluctuations during their life. As we age, our body goes through so many changes. Some of those changes are responsible for a slower metabolism, weight gain, or difficulty losing and maintaining the desired weight. You’ve most likely connected your weight with your hormones at least once, especially if you’re a woman. A female body goes through several essential phases, including menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause, and menopause. During these phases, a woman’s body significantly changes, primarily because of hormone fluctuations. Some women also experience weight gain after taking the birth control pill for an extended period.

These hormonal fluctuations can sometimes cause hormonal disbalance, which occurs if your progesterone levels are too low (or your estrogen levels are too high). We truly believe people should understand how hormones work and what they’re responsible for, so we decided to break down the topic of the connection between bioidentical progesterone and weight loss.

What is bioidentical progesterone?

Progesterone is one of the vital chemical messengers, and it has a significant impact on how your body uses and processes food. It is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and the ovarian corpus luteum and placenta (during pregnancy). Males also need adequate progesterone levels to have normal testosterone production; that’s why testes also produce progesterone.

Don’t let the term “bioidentical progesterone” confuse you – it is essentially synthesized progesterone (made in a laboratory), finely ground, so it resembles the natural form of this molecule. That way, it acts the same way as the one your body produces. It’s vital to differentiate this term from progestin. Progestin doesn’t have the same molecular structure as progesterone, and it can even worsen the hormonal disbalance, eventually leading to weight gain. 

Functions of progesterone

Progesterone has several other functions besides preparing the endometrium for the application of a fertilized egg and balancing the menstrual cycle. Here’s a list of essential progesterone functions in your body:

1. 1. It blocks the liver’s production of TBG. If your progesterone levels are low, the liver starts producing excess amounts of Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG), which is essentially a protein. This protein prevents thyroid hormones from being utilized by your body—the result of this process is hypothyroidism. 
   2. It calms your brain. Unlike estrogen, which has an excitatory effect on your brain, progesterone relaxes your brain and can even increase sleep quality.
   3. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory. When inflammation occurs in your body, your brain can’t receive proper signals from the hormone Leptin. This hormone is responsible for appetite regulation. If your progesterone levels are high enough, it will reduce the inflammation, helping Leptin regulate your appetite.
      Tip: If you’re looking for ways to regulate your appetite, make sure to learn about neurotransmitters roles in appetite suppression.
   4. It serves as a natural diuretic. High estrogen levels cause water retention. On the other hand, progesterone helps you flush out the excess water and removes bloating and swelling. 
   5. It lowers insulin levels. Progesterone ensures low insulin levels, preventing your sugar cravings.

Bioidentical progesterone and weight loss

Weight gain for no obvious reason often occurs due to imbalanced hormone levels. Some illnesses and medications can also cause weight gain. Your body is essentially equipped with everything it needs to function correctly. If something goes out of balance, it triggers a cycle of inaccuracies in your body. For example, progesterone deficiency causes estrogen dominance, higher levels of cortisol, increased leptin, etc. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional run diagnostic blood tests on you before deciding on the therapy.

If you feel like you’re doing everything you can to lose weight but can’t see any results, the reason for that may be hiding in your hormonal imbalance. Keep in mind that hormone therapy can’t do wonders by itself; it should only be an addition to a healthy diet and an exercise regimen. Also, it’s essential to check your hormone levels before taking hormone therapy. Simply put, people who don’t have a hormonal disbalance won’t find bioidentical progesterone beneficial at all and may even witness specific side effects.

As we mentioned earlier, two hormones are involved in hormonal balance: estrogen and progesterone. If you have high estrogen levels (or your progesterone levels are too low), your body enters the state of estrogen dominance. This state causes belly fat accumulation which then causes an increase in estrogen levels; eventually, you end up in an infinite cycle. You may find a solution to this problem by reducing estrogen consumption or supplementing with bioidentical progesterone. Additionally, high estrogen levels cause water retention. Often, water retention is responsible for those extra few pounds.

Insulin is also affected by hormonal disbalance. When insulin levels in your system increase, you find yourself craving chocolate and other sweets. Increasing your progesterone levels decreases your insulin, and therefore prevents sugar cravings, aiding your weight loss.

Because bioidentical progesterone reduces inflammation, it helps your brain receive Leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite. That way, you’re able to eat in moderation. 

Final thoughts

If what you’ve read in this article made you question your hormonal balance, you may want to seek advice from a knowledgeable person. We strongly advise you not to take hormonal supplements on your own. Instead, feel free to contact our weight loss clinic Chicago, where you’ll find experienced professionals who can give you additional information regarding your personal case. We’ll make sure you get a thorough medical examination and conduct saliva testing to determine your hormone levels. Only when we discover low progesterone levels in your system can we discuss the potential bioidentical progesterone supplementation and dosage to boost your weight loss.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.