Will progesterone cause you to put on weight?
Progesterone will not cause you to put on weight. In fact, it will do the opposite. Progesterone will help the body convert fat into energy. However, it may initially exacerbate estrogen dominance symptoms such as fluid retention which can have the appearance of weight increase which is usually only temporary.
Synthetic progestogens, on the other hand, which are routinely used in HRT usually do put on weight that, according to our network of women, is very difficult to shift. This may be due to incorrect dosage or combination HRT (estrogen) for the individual’s body type, or because it’s overloaded the liver.
A natural diuretic, progesterone assists weight loss by regulating sodium imbalance within the body, correcting fluid retention and helping you eliminate excess fluid from the body. Using natural progesterone is not a means to lose weight. Weight loss will only come about as a result of balance of all the hormones and correct metabolism.
Some women actually stop using their progesterone cream after they gain a little weight thinking, incorrectly, that it was the progesterone creating the weight gain. They failed to understand the other factors that contribute to weight gain once progesterone is introduced.
Other factors need to be taken into consideration with weight gain:
- Your metabolism (which is controlled by the liver and thyroid gland)
- Incorrect eating (which adversely affects your liver function, immune system and hormones)
- Behavior patterns and eating habits
