When most people think about progesterone, their minds jump straight to its role in reproductive health. Many in the field of hormone health term this hormone as the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ hormone. I remember when I added progesterone to my hormone replacement therapy regime. By the way, yes, you can take it without a uterus (I had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus). My sleep latency, or the time it took to sleep, shortened significantly. Before I started taking it, I’d lie down, and my mind would begin to race. The first night I took progesterone, my mind was calm, and I fell asleep more easily. There’s so much more to this fascinating hormone—especially when we talk about your brain.

Today, we’re removing the curtain on progesterone’s powerful impact on your brain. This guide will be your friendly companion to help you understand this neurohormone.

Progesterone supports brain health by offering neuroprotective benefits through various mechanisms. It helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and cell death, fostering neuron survival and aiding in myelin repair. Progesterone and estrogen work together to regulate oxidative metabolism in brain mitochondria, improving their efficiency and decreasing oxidative stress. This process helps meet the energy needs of neuronal activation and supports cognitive health.

Progesterone’s History in Medicine

Progesterone first gained its reputation as a pregnancy-supporting hormone. I had to take it to support both of my pregnancies because my levels were too low. It is critical in preparing the body for conception and maintaining pregnancy. This is why it is often labeled as the “pregnancy hormone.” For decades, progesterone was used in the context of reproductive health or fertility treatments.

Hormones are chemical messengers for the body. Progesterone has receptors on every neuronal cell in the brain. According to the article, ‘How Progesterone Promotes Brain Health,’ the author noted: “Progesterone has been linked with improvement in cognitive function, or the mental process of understanding through thought and experience, as well as in using intellectual processes such as thinking, reasoning, and remembering.“

It has been deemed a neurosteroid because of its role in the brain. This includes neurogenesis, regeneration, cognition, mood, inflammation, and myelination in the central nervous system. While some studies have demonstrated its benefits, the effect of traumatic brain injury showed a 100% failure rate in the phase 3 trials. The research article, Neurosteroids and Ischemic Stroke: Progesterone a Promising Agent in Reducing the Brain Injury in Ischemic Stroke (type of stroke where oxygen and blood flow are restricted to the brain), concluded that at a preclinical level in ischemic stroke, it was effective in reducing brain cell damage.

Linking Progesterone to Brain Health

Simply put, progesterone acts like a multitasking hormone for your brain. This hormone gets to work by binding to receptors in your brain.

In the research, Progesterone Receptors: Form and Function in Brain, progesterone stimulates the growth and repair of brain cells. This is true particularly in critical regions responsible for memory and emotions. It’s also shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, vital for protecting the brain from damage, wear, and tear.

But that’s not all. This hormone also interacts with neurotransmitters like GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is your brain’s “chill-out” signal; it calms your mind, reduces anxiety, and promotes restful sleep. It boosts GABA’s effects, making it a key player in regulating mood and keeping stress at bay.

Can Progesterone Improve Memory?

The exciting part for all the multitaskers is that progesterone might boost memory. Research suggests that it promotes the formation of new connections between brain cells, a process called synaptogenesis.

One study even showed that women tended to perform better on memory-related tasks. This occurred during phases of their menstrual cycle when progesterone levels were higher. These findings have sparked interest in its role in cognitive performance over the lifespan.

While more research is still needed, these early signals suggest that it is more than just a reproductive hormone; it might hold the keys to supporting and retaining memory function.

Does Progesterone Protect Against Neurodegenerative Diseases?

If you’ve wondered whether progesterone could help protect against illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the answer is “yes, potentially.” However, keep in mind that neurodegenerative diseases often have multifactorial causes, which requires a multi-faceted approach.

Some emerging evidence suggests that it helps shield brain cells. It suggests it may protect from the oxidative stress and inflammation that can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. It may also help maintain the health of myelin (the protective coating around nerves). Additionally, progesterone may reduce the build-up of harmful proteins in the brain, essential to diseases like Alzheimer’s.

An article in Neuroscience News, published June 6, 2023, highlights recent research showing progesterone’s protective benefits on the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). The ENS is called the body’s gut or ‘second brain.’ The ENS communicates with the Central Nervous System (CNS), which influences neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. According to the author, “The study revealed that progesterone has a protective effect on the nerve cells of the ENS, providing insights into the potential therapeutic uses of steroid hormones in neurodegenerative diseases.“

Although more robust clinical studies are still needed, there’s no denying that it shows promise as a neuroprotective agent.

How Does Progesterone Interact with Other Hormones in the Brain?

Progesterone doesn’t work alone—it partners with many other hormones, particularly estrogen. Together, progesterone and estrogen form a dynamic duo. They influence nearly every aspect of brain health, from mood regulation to cognitive function.

For example, estrogen stimulates the development of neural networks in the brain, ensuring they function optimally. The balance between these hormones is critical for keeping the brain sharp, resilient, and emotionally balanced.

But what happens when hormonal levels dip—like during menopause? That’s where things get tricky and progesterone supplementation can come into play if indicated for the patient.

Can Progesterone via HRT Benefit Brain Health in Menopause?

One of the hallmarks of menopause is a decline in progesterone and estrogen levels. For many women, this decline isn’t just about hot flashes—it also takes a toll on brain function. Ever heard of “brain fog” during menopause? Hormonal imbalances are often to blame.

Brain health is why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is gaining attention as a tool to safeguard it during and post-menopause. Progesterone in HRT may help:

• Reduce brain fog and enhance focus.
• Improve sleep quality (thanks to its calming interaction with GABA).
• Possibly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

While HRT isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s worth exploring with your doctor as part of a comprehensive menopause care plan.

Meta-Analysis on Hormone Replacement Therapy on Risks of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

In this study, the timing hypothesis shines again. Your brain has a higher chance of being protected if hormone replacement is started soon after the onset of menopause symptoms. If the start of hormone replacement therapy is within this window, there is a 26% reduced risk of dementia if taken for 10 or more years. Dr. Lisa Mosconi, author of The XX Brain and The Menopause Brain, states if a woman began estrogen-progesterone therapy after the age of 65 or more than 10 years after the start of menopause, dementia risk rose.

The Future of Progesterone in Brain Health

We’re just scratching the surface of progesterone’s full potential. From supporting memory to offering neuroprotection, this hormone shows promise to be an essential player in maintaining brain health.

It’s fascinating how progesterone could change the brain health conversation. It’s not just for women during menopause but also for anyone looking to optimize cognitive function across their lifespan.

Your Next Steps Toward Brain Health

Suppose you’re intrigued about how progesterone could impact your brain health. In that case, the best place to start is with a trusted licensed healthcare practitioner. Consider testing your hormone levels and discussing whether progesterone supplementation might fit into your overall wellness plan.

Although Function Health (this is a paid referral link) currently does not test progesterone levels, they offer a hormone panel for both men and women. Function is a lifelong health platform costing just $42 per month. Twice a year, it provides an all-in-one set of over 100 advanced lab tests—including those for heart, hormones, thyroid, liver, kidneys, autoimmune markers, cancer signals, toxins, heavy metals, and more—available at 2,000 locations across the U.S. The Function app then tracks your results over time, delivering personalized insights from top doctors and action items to improve your health. Each round of testing also includes a full written clinician summary. I use Function Health and love it!

Remember, brain health is a lifelong investment—and sometimes, the lesser-known players, like progesterone, have an impact, too.

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Medical and Affiliate Disclaimer

I am not a licensed medical professional, and the information I’ve shared in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. The content of this blog post is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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