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Does progesterone make you gain weight

Let’s now explore what progesterone is, how it works, and whether progesterone actually makes you fatter. Progesterone is one of the female hormones, which from puberty, along with estrogen, begins to be produced by the ovaries.



This hormone acts by preparing the woman’s body to conceive, through the thickening of the walls of the uterus, and intensification of the blood circulation, where a fetus will be installed in the future.

If there is no fertilization, progesterone levels fall rapidly, leading to the peeling of the internal tissue that has thickened the walls of the uterus, causing menstruation.

When fertilization takes place, progesterone will continue to act in the female body, increasing the volume of the breasts and initiating the processes for the future production of milk.

Even at this stage, this hormone prevents uterine contractions from expelling the developing embryo (abortion). Although it is a female hormone, it is also found in men at much lower levels.

Fattening Progesterone?

Getting fat means gaining fat, and in that sense we can say that progesterone does not gain weight. However, contraceptives may favor water retention as a side effect, currently reported in 15% of women using this hormone. Therefore, there may be a weight gain due to such liquid retention.

Progesterone-Based Contraceptives

There are two types of contraceptives: one contains only progesterone, and the other one associates estrogen. Both administered orally.

Progesterone injections are also used, but in this case, hormone doses are higher because they will postpone contraceptive effects for three months. In this case, it can cause a much larger weight gain due to net retention. For this reason, many people believe that progesterone is fattening.

The choice between one or the other will depend on the guidance of a gynecologist.

Low Progesterone

When there is a drop in progesterone levels in the body, some symptoms will give a signal:

  • Woman stops ovulating (anovulation);
  • Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation);
  • Menstrual disorders;
  • Decreased libido, and consequent increase in the difficulty of reaching orgasm;
  • Skin less lush and more dry;
  • Pain and swelling in the breasts;
  • Vaginal dryness;
  • Increased appetite;
  • Decreased vaginal lubrication;
  • Water retention;
  • Weight gain;
  • Irritability;
  • Exacerbated sensitivity;
  • Migraine;
  • Depression;
  • Abrupt changes of mood;
  • Elevation of body temperature;
  • TPM;
  • Spontaneous abortion;
  • Osteoporosis;
  • Spontaneous abortions.

These symptoms need to be investigated with the help of a physician and appropriate examinations.

How to Fight Side Effects

Regardless of the definition given, whether it is that progesterone fattens or retains fluids, the fact is that women do not get along with either one or the other.

One way or another, progesterone is involved in this process. Of course, it is easier to circumvent a weight gain through water retention than through eating fatty foods.

  • Ideally, when you realize this additional weight because of the contraceptive pill , is to start to ingest more fiber, fruits, vegetables, cereals, vegetables. A balanced diet is healthy and indispensable at any stage of life. When the feeling of retention is present, detox diets can be important allies at this stage.
  • Increase fluid intake. Yes, it seems contradictory, but the less it hydrates, the more liquid it retains.
  • Decrease salt intake. Look at the labels of industrialized foods. Some carry very high levels of sodium, which together with the progesterone of contraceptives, will cause excessive retention.
  • Practice regular physical exercises, which will improve blood circulation, promoting swelling. Try to include at least a 30-minute walk five times a week. It is a democratic exercise, which can be practiced anywhere, without forcing joints and highly beneficial.
  • Talk to your doctor. He may change doses if he deems it necessary.

Progesterone and Estrogen

Nothing in our system is there by chance. The two major female hormones have distinct but fundamental functions.

In the first half of the woman’s cycle, estrogen is the protagonist, responsible for preparing the woman for sex. After these fifteen days, he leaves the scene, and appears progesterone, with the function of preserving the integrity of a pregnancy. Taking care of everything to make this happen. After this second phase of the cycle, low progesterone and estrogen come back with everything.

Can you understand why women are so mood swings? Contrary to what many people claim, there is nothing psychological about it. It is a hormonal, chemical, constant and cyclic factor. During the month, a woman goes through peaks and lows between these two hormones.

 

Men, for that reason, are more linear. Your hormone, testosterone, remains stable throughout the month.

Progesterone is needed to counterbalance estrogen. When there is an imbalance between them, problems arise.

Beneficial Effects of Progesterone

Do not think that just because progesterone gets fatter it will not bring many benefits to your body as well. Check out what she does for you:

  • Protect against breast cysts;
  • Relieves symptoms of postpartum depression;
  • Facilitates the action of thyroid hormone;
  • Normalizes blood clotting;
  • Restores oxygen levels of cells;
  • Normalizes copper and zinc levels;
  • Helps prevent endometrial cancer;
  • Helps prevent breast cancer.

Final considerations

From this information, we understand that, in some cases, progesterone becomes fattening; however, this symptom, like the others listed, will not be present in all women.

Each organism responds to the excess or lack of some component differently. This does not mean that they can not be corrected.

Excesses will be harmful as well as lack. In everything, there must always be balance, because in this way women, at any stage of their lives, will go through the hormonal oscillations with more tranquility.

 

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