Does progesterone help with blood sugar and anxiety?

by Teresa
(Waco, Tx)

I am 42 and according to blood work I am post menopausal. I started experiencing anxiety and panic attacks one year ago, shortly after my diagnosis of Menopause.

I am taking Be-est 2.5mg. I tried to add 20mg of natural progesterone but it increased my anxiety. I also am unable to go for very long without eating. I get what feels like blood sugar crashes. However my blood sugars are normal. After I eat something I feel better again. Don't understand this all of a sudden. Please advise.

Comments for
Does progesterone help with blood sugar and anxiety?

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 28, 2008
 Blood sugar dropping and anxiety
by: Wray

Hi Teresa. It sounds very much like you have insulin resistance. Blood sugar can be normal, but insulin can be high, as the cells are not responding to the insulin. Eating something and feeling better after it is one of the signs.

A drop in blood sugar can cause anxiety and panic attacks. Progesterone does help stabilise blood sugar and helps with panic attacks, as it activates the GABA receptor sites. GABA is our most calming, inhibitory neurotransmitter, and if the receptor sites are not active, little GABA can enter the cell, hence the panic attacks.

Progesterone levels start dropping from about the age of 35, so by the time you reach menopause they are very low. By taking the Bi-est you are adding to the problem, as it contains two oestrogens: estriol and estradiol. Oestrogen suppresses progesterone production, yours is very low as it is. If you have a naturally high level of oestrogen or taking extra oestrogen as you are, then when first starting using progesterone, it will make you more sensitive to the oestrogen in your body.

This is caused by progesterone activating the oestrogen receptors, which in turn causes oestrogen dominance symptoms, one of which is anxiety.

Insulin resistance can be reversed by supplements containing the B vitamins, especially inositol, amino acids, especially glutamine and carnitine, plus milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10. Hope this helps Take care Wray
Jul 28, 2009
 Does Progeserone raise Triglycerides?
by: Anonymous

I have been told Progesterone will raise my Triglycerides. My last test shows my LDL good my triglycerides high at 224 I have been takeing Progesterone for about 2 months now. I am 60 years old.
Jul 29, 2009
 Does Progesterone raise Triglycerides?
by: Wray

It's actually quite the reverse. Oestrogen raises triglycerides, progesterone lowers them, please see this web page.

And this one.

It's also effective against atherosclerosis, please see this.

And this.

And lipid peroxidation.

Take care, Wray
Nov 26, 2010
 great i'll try these
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem with blood sugar and panic attacks. I had a nervous breakdown last year. I feel much better because of Lexapro 10mg but would like to feel better during and before my period too. I hope progesterone helps as well as the other things you mentioned here.

Thank you for posting these
Dec 05, 2010
 great i'll try these
by: Wray

Hi there We do have a page on Anxiety. Please read through it, as there is a list of nutrients which all help. Keeping blood glucose stable is critical, you might like to look at our page on Insulin Resistance, it gives a list of nutrients which help this. Take care Wray

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Progesterone Therapy Home

Return to Home Page

Search over 3,000 pages on this site...

Do you have a progesterone deficiency?

This free questionnaire will tell you in 10 minutes

Just enter your email address and click the button...

Why do I ask for your email address? Simply so I can stay in touch. Your details will not be revealed to anyone


Do you have a question or concern?

See what's being discussed, ask for help, give your thoughts or experiences, or just browse...

See the FAQ pages...


Natural Progesterone Cream

Discover the facts...


Health care practitioners and therapists

Here's an
Associate Program
that may be a good fit for your practice


Your language

Translate this website into your language