What Are High Progesterone Symptoms?

Progesterone, along with estrogen, is a crucial sex hormone that supports reproductive health. Estrogen and progesterone work in tandem to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the bodies of females or people with uteruses for possible pregnancy. In particular, progesterone supports menstruation and the early stages of pregnancy. It thickens the uterine lining (endometrium) to facilitate the implantation of a fertilized egg. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the uterus sheds its lining, and menstruation begins. If the fertilized egg is implanted, progesterone levels rise to help the egg develop. 

In some cases, progesterone levels can become too low or too high. While naturally high progesterone is usually not a cause for concern, there are certain situations—like medical conditions or hormonal drugs and treatments —that can lead to atypical progesterone levels. Here’s what you need to know about high progesterone symptoms and causes.

When does high progesterone naturally occur?

Progesterone levels increase naturally during the reproductive cycle. In the middle of your menstrual cycle, progesterone thickens the uterine lining. 

The corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone in the body. It’s a temporary gland that supports the early stages of pregnancy if conception occurs until the placenta is formed and takes over progesterone production. If it does not, the corpus luteum breaks down, reducing progesterone output and prompting menstruation.

If conception occurs, progesterone levels continue to climb to help the fertilized egg grow into a fetus. Progesterone levels reach their highest levels in the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40 of pregnancy). 

High progesterone levels therefore occur naturally during pregnancy. The corpus luteum produces progesterone to support the growth of the egg. Progesterone levels protect the pregnancy by reducing uterine contractions and preventing ovulation, which stops menstruation. It also helps your breasts prepare for breastfeeding. Your body will produce around 10 times more progesterone when you’re pregnant than when you’re not.

Natural high progesterone symptoms to look out for

When your progesterone levels rise, you may experience a mix of emotional and physical changes known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, include:

• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain
• Anxiety
• Depression 

During pregnancy, you may continue to experience PMS symptoms in addition to early pregnancy symptoms, including: 

• Food cravings
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Increased nipple sensitivity

Atypical high progesterone symptoms and causes

While high progesterone levels are typical during pregnancy, there are some times when high progesterone levels are a result of medical issues or hormonal drugs. Here are instances where high progesterone levels may be abnormal, along with their symptoms. 

Hormone therapy

Progesterone levels naturally decrease when you reach menopause since you are no longer ovulating. As a result, healthcare professionals might recommend hormone therapy, which increases estrogen and progesterone levels to reduce symptoms of menopause. However, this can cause high progesterone symptoms including:

• Breast pain
• Dizziness
• Rapid weight gain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Headache
• Swelling of feet

>>MORE: What Are the Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone contraceptive

Some types of birth control can increase progesterone levels over time. They contain a synthetic form of progesterone called progestin.

The body reacts to progestin in the same way it does to progesterone, which halts ovulation by thickening the uterine lining so that the sperm is unlikely to reach the egg. 

You may experience symptoms such as:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea
• Acne

Ovarian cysts

High progesterone can also be caused by ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled masses that can produce progesterone and estrogen. In particular, corpus luteum cysts, which grow on the corpus luteum, typically produce high progesterone levels. 

These cysts are usually harmless, painless, and go away on their own. In rare cases, the cysts grow large enough that they interfere with ovary function or pregnancy and may require a healthcare professional to remove them. 

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia 

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare inherited genetic disorder. It affects the adrenal glands at the top of the kidneys, which control hormone production like testosterone and cortisol. CAH occurs because the body is missing certain enzymes it needs to produce these hormones, so you may either produce too much or not enough hormones. High progesterone levels can be a sign of late-onset CAH since progesterone cannot be converted into cortisol due to a missing enzyme. 

CAH symptoms include:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Excessive facial or body hair
• Hair loss
• Infertility

This condition is not life-threatening, but seek out a healthcare provider for treatment. 

Molar pregnancy

Molar pregnancy occurs when a non-viable, fertilized egg develops into a tumor rather than a fetus. Although the pregnancy is non-viable, the body will treat it as if it were, resulting in progesterone levels rising and the placenta being formed. 

Symptoms of a molar pregnancy include:

• Nausea
• Bright red to dark brown vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Significant vaginal discharge

If molar pregnancy is left untreated, it has a high risk of accelerating into a type of cancer called choriocarcinoma. Reach out to your healthcare provider immediately for treatment.

High progesterone symptoms: The bottom line

High progesterone levels are a natural part of the reproductive system. Progesterone supports regular menstruation and is necessary for the growth of the fertilized egg into a fetus. 

While high progesterone levels typically shouldn’t affect your health, you’ll likely experience PMS symptoms as a result of progesterone levels naturally rising in your menstrual cycle. 

However, there are certain circumstances like hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, or underlying medical conditions that can trigger an increase in progesterone levels. The only way to measure progesterone levels is through a test, either by testing urine and measuring a progesterone metabolite like PdG or a blood test through your doctor. If you experience PMS symptoms outside of your cycle and are not pregnant, it’s important to consult your doctor.