"Doc, since I went into menopause, a good night's sleep has become nearly impossible. I've tried many different remedies, but none have worked. What the heck happened?" I am sorry, but I need to repeat myself. "Menopause is caused by not ovulating." When you no longer ovulate, your ovaries no longer produce progesterone or testosterone. This is when all the trouble begins. Let me first remind you what progesterone does. "The main function of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium (lining of your uterus) for a fertilized egg to implant and grow. If a pregnancy doesn't occur, the endometrium sheds during your menstrual period." PROGESTERONE Let me tell you what progesterone "really" does. It's The Calm Hormone "I call progesterone the 60s hormone. It's all about peace, love, and flower power." Women with healthy levels of progesterone are cool, calm, and confident. They are more likely to be in the present time. When you are in the present, there are no regrets about the past or fears of the future. There is just now, and that is usually pretty calm. It's Indirectly a Woman's Fat-Burning Hormone "Progesterone is indirectly a woman's fat-burning hormone because it neutralizes estradiol's ability to store fat." Testosterone is THE fat-burning hormone, but women have much less testosterone than men. Since men have much more testosterone than women, that is why men lose weight twice as fast as women. Women only get a shot of testosterone once a month when they ovulate, so their sex drive is increased, and inhibitions are decreased. Testosterone perpetuates our species. By progesterone neutralizing estradiol's ability to store fat, progesterone becomes a woman's fat-burning hormone. You can see how the balance between estradiol is vital for how we look, feel, and weigh. It's The Sleep Hormone Sleeping well is essential to create the (YOU) you desire to Be. Since progesterone is calming and causes you to be more in the present time, it makes sleep much more effortless. PROGESTERONE AND SLEEP Progesterone Promotes Relaxation: Progesterone can help you relax and improve your mood. It's sometimes called "Mother Nature's valium." (1) Progesterone Reduces Anxiety: Progesterone's metabolites bind to GABA receptors, helping to reduce anxiety and leading to better sleep. GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity by blocking signals in the central nervous system. It has a calming effect. Progesterone mimics GABA, therefore, helps with anxiety and sleep. (2) Progesterone has anxiolytic effects. “Anxiolytic” combines two root words from ancient Greek, “anxio-” meaning “anxiety” and “-lytic,” meaning “to loosen.” These medications “loosen” anxiety's hold on you. Some experts also refer to them as “anti-anxiety” medications."
Progesterone Improves Sleep Latency Progesterone enhances the ability to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Progesterone has sedative effects. (3) Progesterone Minimizes Sleep Disruptions One of the most upsetting menopausal symptoms when it comes to getting a great night's sleep is called sleep arousal. Menopausal women wake much easier and more often than premenopausal women with higher levels of progesterone. (4) Other symptoms associated with low progesterone and sleep include: Hot Flashes When estrogen levels drop, the brain releases norepinephrine, a stress hormone that can cause changes in body temperature. Progesterone can help ease this response. Night Sweats Progesterone also plays a role in regulating body temperature. Sleep Apnea Progesterone can help prevent sleep apnea because it has a bronchodilator effect on the airways. PROGESTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY It is my opinion that sleeping problems caused by menopause are caused by estrogen dominance. There are two primary steps my clients take to tame estrogen dominance.
I believe that estrogen dominance was misnamed. I believe the condition called Estrogen Dominance should have been named Progesterone Deficiency. "whereas estrogen levels decrease by 20 to 40%, progesterone levels decrease by 80 to 99% once ovulation ceases." Progesterone Replacement Therapy is one of the best ways to tame estrogen dominance. "The one supplement that I have found to help menopausal women sleep better is low doses of progesterone cream." In our clinics, we used high doses of progesterone cream and found that the patients developed immunity to it. The cream would quit working much sooner than low doses. If my wife had estrogen dominance and she was having sleeping problems, I would immediately start her on a dose of 20mg (1/4 teaspoon) of progesterone cream every night just before she went to bed. Progesterone cream is to be rubbed into thin skin and rotated from one thin skin area to another monthly. My wife and clients purchase their progesterone cream from Amazon. Here is a link to her favorite Progesterone Cream. Never use any supplemental hormone without first consulting with your healthcare practitioner. Linda is our current client. She has been on our HOPE For Menopause Program for only one month and has had great results. If you are miserable in menopause, schedule a free coaching program. I believe not in telling but in showing. If you need to lose weight and wish to feel hormonally great, I will show you how. In one week, I will show you everything you need to do, keep you accountable daily, and be available 24/7 throughout that week. Click the link below to get started: HOPE FOR MENOPAUSE COACHING PROGRAM We are in Lake Tahoe celebrating our anniversary. The fall colors are out, and as we took a stroll along the beach, we took this us-ie. We are still here and living life to its fullest. If menopause is making weight loss nearly impossible and your hormones are making you feel miserable, please accept my invitation to coach you for free for one week. HOPE FOR MENOPAUSE FREE COACHING PROGRAM © 2024 | Doc Mac Coaching The FDA has evaluated none of the statements on this website. Furthermore, none of the statements within this post should be construed as dispensing medical advice or making claims regarding the cure of diseases, nor can these products prevent disease. You should consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent diseases.
|
I have practiced hormone, weight, health, and mind optimization for over forty-three years. As we age and or become chronically inflamed, our hormones become disrupted, making us feel out of sync, overweight, sickly, and negative. Our internal chemistry, our hormones, governs the way we feel and look. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter on how to optimize our lives by optimizing our hormones.
THE SLEEP HORMONE "Doc, since I went into menopause, a good night's sleep has become nearly impossible. I've tried many different remedies, but none have worked. What the heck happened?" "Menopause is caused by not ovulating." When you no longer ovulate, your ovaries no longer produce progesterone or testosterone. This is when all the trouble begins. PROGESTERONE It's The Calm Hormone "I call progesterone the 60s hormone. It's all about peace, love, and flower power." Women with healthy...
MENOPAUSE AND SLEEPING I was about twelve years old when someone broke into my house and shot me. I was lying on the floor, and I realized that I had been shot in the arm. I couldn't move my arm. With my arm paralyzed, I couldn't get myself up off the floor. I started screaming for help. HELP! HELP! HELP! The next thing I felt was someone shaking me. Wake up! Wake up! My eyes opened, and Mom seemed perturbed with me. "What?" She turned around and left the room. I tried to get up, but I...
MENOPAUSE AND SLEEPING I was about twelve years old when someone broke into my house and shot me. I was lying on the floor, and I realized that I had been shot in the arm. I couldn't move my arm. With my arm paralyzed, I couldn't get myself up off the floor. I started screaming for help. HELP! HELP! HELP! The next thing I felt was someone shaking me. Wake up! Wake up! My eyes opened, and Mom seemed perturbed with me. "What?" She turned around and left the room. I tried to get up, but I...