Email this article
Printable version
Finding a cause of sleep problems
Green Medicine
It was a great conference, and it helped me add some pieces into my knowledge of the hormone puzzle.
Hormones influence every cell in our bodies. In this column, I want to focus on one small piece of the puzzle, a common problem that is easily treatable. That problem is low progesterone levels in the body causing sleep problems in women.
This is an interesting subject because of the strong relationship between high stress levels and low progesterone. We live in a culture full of stressed-out, tired women. Unfortunately, many of these women do not sleep well, and often, low progesterone levels are at the root of the problem.
The way stress causes low progesterone is through a simple shift of priorities. In times of high stress, the production of cortisol, a major stress hormone, is increased at the expense of progesterone, which is a reproductive hormone. This phenomenon is called the "pregnenolone steal." Pregnenolone is made from cholesterol and is the starting ingredient for both cortisol and progesterone. In times of continuous high stress, the body often cannot produce enough pregnenolone to make both hormones. So it has to decide which is more important, and cortisol usually wins. Our bodies will sacrifice reproduction for survival every time.
Progesterone is a calming hormone that helps us relax and stay grounded. In times of stress, a woman's progesterone levels may decrease substantially and cause sleep problems and anxiety.
So what would a woman with low progesterone feel like? She would have a difficult time relaxing and staying calm. She may be anxious about many things in her life, including things that may not have unsettled her before her progesterone levels crashed. She can have trouble with sleep, which can include trouble falling asleep, often because her mind is racing.
Of course, the sleep deprivation compounds the anxiety she feels, and then she is foggy-headed and exhausted but still cannot sleep. She may have increased inflammation in her body that shows up as joint and muscle pain. She also can have increased menstrual flow and longer cycles. She may even experience migraine headaches before her cycles.
Correcting low progesterone involves decreasing her body's chemical reaction to stress and supporting her body to make more progesterone. There are many great natural ways to do this that will restore harmony and balance in her body.
Low progesterone levels also can be caused by antidepressants, refined sugar, saturated fat, deficiency of vitamins A, B6, C and zinc and by decreased thyroid function. Correcting these issues definitely can help. Supporting the adrenal glands also promotes the production of progesterone by decreasing cortisol.
If you or someone you know is having difficulty sleeping, low progesterone may be a factor. Bringing progesterone levels up can promote good, healthful sleep and break the cycle of fatigue and anxiety.
drnancy@durangonaturalmedicine.com Nancy Utter is a naturopathic doctor who completed a five-year training program at Bastyr University in Seattle. She works in Durango with people of all ages and varying illnesses. Green Medicine appears on the second Monday of each month.
advertisement
Best value in Durango at $150/sq. ft. Large (6,000 sq. ft.) Lindal Cedar post & beam home with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and 3 car garage. Has everything - well designed, spacious, quality home , 1.23 acre well treed lot, direct view of 13,000 ft. La Plata mountains, backs onto an open wildlife area, well established neighborhood, easiest access into Durago, and great investment as construction moves west with completion of ALP reservoir. Also has secluded area to park your RV or boat. Home has a large deck and patio, and a cedar sunroom off office. Great for a large, active family; home office business, related living, family timeshare or business retreat. $899,500.
Durango Herald Calendar of Events
