As women approach menopause, some show low progesterone symptoms. This is because many women entering peri-menopause begin to produce lower amounts of progesterone; this results in a hormonal imbalance.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms listed below, you may want to speak to your doctor about using a progesterone cream. There are many kinds of progesterone cream; ask your doctor about the differences between natural, equine and yam-derived progesterone creams. Your doctor can explain the differences between artificially produced and natural creams; he or she will have a preferred method of treatment. There is no one accepted way to handle low progesterone production. You may need to compare diagnoses and doctor’s opinions before you find a satisfactory solution to your symptoms.

Common Low Progesterone Symptoms
Some of the most common low progesterone symptoms include:

• Excessive PMS symptoms: You may experience moodiness, weepiness, irrational anxiety and mood swings unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Some women experience hormonally-related cycles of depression.
• Heavy menstruation: You may find your periods getting heavier and heavier. Some women experience clotting and periods so heavy they have to change a pad every hour. Talk to your doctor about possible solutions such as endometrial ablation, hysterectomy or hormone therapy via birth control pills.
• Irregular periods: Some women find their periods become irregular and unpredictable. One month you may have a heavy period; the next month you might not get a period at all.
• Frequent menstruation: Some women start to have very short cycles, having periods every 20-22 days instead of every 28 days.
• Abdominal fat gain: You may begin accumulating excess fat around your stomach as a result of your lower progesterone levels.
• Hot flashes: You may find yourself dealing with night sweats, hot flashes and wild temperature swings. Try using a fan, dressing cooler, sleeping with layered covers so you can strip down to sheets when you get too hot and drinking cold drinks.
• Fatigue: You may find yourself tired all the time for no explainable reason. Be gentle with yourself as you discover what foods, sleep patterns and lifestyle changes you need to make to accommodate this.
• Vaginal dryness: Your body may stop producing adequate lubrication. Try using an over-the-counter lubricant.