Does Progesterone Increase Libido?

Feeling has also been influenced by hormones. Physically, emotionally and sexually. If you’ve ever noticed fluctuations in your sex drive at various times of the month during pregnancy or menopause hormones are likely to blame.

A hormone that frequently appears in these conversations is progesterone. Is progesterone an aphrodisiac or does it dampen libido?
Here’s how progesterone influences desire and what you should know about the process.
What Is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a hormone that our bodies produce primarily in the ovaries post-ovulation. It regulates our cycle and makes our bodies ready for pregnancy.

Progesterone helps to maintain the lining of the uterus if a woman becomes pregnant.
If estrogen is known as the “sex hormone,” progesterone is equally important. It works with estrogen. Together they influence our mood, energy levels, sleep — and yes — libido.
Progesterone and Sex Drive

• Sex drive is subject to emotional and hormonal influences. Female sex hormone doesn’t work alone. It interacts with hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
• Progesterone in general has an impact on our bodies. Some people say that has an effect. That can be good news for stress and sleep. It can also reduce sexual desire, in some cases.
• That said, the relationship isn’t identical for every person. Some people may experience no change at all while others may find that their libido has a more remarkable effect based on where they are in relation to hormone levels.

Why Progesterone May Decrease Libido
In other situations, increased progesterone is correlated with reduced libido. There are various reasons this is able to happen.

• progesterone which can feel relaxing or even a little energizing. If we are feeling like this in our bodies our sex drive might drop naturally.
• Progesterone can counteract estrogen, which is more directly correlated to sexual arousal and desire. High progesterone and low estrogen means potentially lower libido.

• It’s also worth mentioning that Female sex hormone can have an impact on our mood. Others of us will withdraw or become more sensitive (or a little likely to cry) when progesterone is high and this can affect our intimacy.

When Does Progesterone Rise?
Female sex hormone changes throughout our lifetime. Even from month to month.

• During the Menstrual Cycle
  After ovulation during the other half of our cycle (the luteal phase), progesterone floods in. This is also when a few people hit an all-time low libido-wise compared to the ovulation stage, when estrogen levelsare higher.
• During Pregnancy
  Female sex hormone increases significantly throughout pregnancy. This hormone is necessary for continuing pregnancy the alterations in our body. Not to mention exhaustion and hormones. Can affect libido in ways.
• During Hormonal Birth Control
  Some methods of birth control contain synthetic progesterone (progestin). For some individuals this can lead to less desire. Although experiences vary greatly.
• During Menopause or Perimenopause
  Hormone levels change quite a bit when our bodies start moving toward menopause. Progesterone often decreases,. So does estrogen, making it hard to pinpoint one specific cause for changes in libido.
• When Progesterone Increases Libido
  Estrogen is often connected to libido but that isn’t always the case. Hormones are highly individual. With healthy levels of Estrogen some people may feel more balanced or emotionally stable.
• If Female sex hormone is helpful with sleep, anxiety or mood stabilization these effects may indirectly enhance libido.
• So Estrogen doesn’t directly fuel libido in and of itself.. It can help pave the way for desire to become more likely.

What About Men?
Progesterone is not a female hormone; men have it too, though less so. In men, it helps balance hormones. Promotes testosterone production.
Very high or very low Estrogen can disrupt the balance of hormones such as libido. However, for men the hormone most responsible for sexual desire is testosterone.

More Common Causes of Loss of Sex Drive

• Hormones are one piece of the overall puzzle. There are factors that can come into play if you’re experiencing low libido.
  Hormonal Causes: Low estrogen, testosterone levels and thyroid hormones or high cortisol can all affect sex drive.
• Physical Causes: illness, fatigue, pain and bad sleep can sap energy and waning desire.
• Psychological Causes: Stress, anxiety, depression and problems in relationships often lead to changes in libido.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain prescription medications can lower desire, including antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives.

Symptoms of Hormones Affecting Your Sex Drive
When changes in your libido are accompanied by irregular periods, mood swings, sleep disturbances and unexplained fatigue you may suspect hormones are involved. These patterns can provide clues.

What You Can Do Next
If you are worried about changes in your libido make a few simple changes.

• Track Your Symptoms: Write down your cycle, mood and sex drive. Patterns can help provide clues about connections.
• Review Medications: Look over any medications or hormonal birth control you’re taking and whether they could be affecting your libido.
• Ask About Hormone Testing: A medical professional can measure hormone levels and describe what’s happening to your body.
• Support Overall Health: sleep, balanced nutrition, regular exercise and stress management all foster hormone balance and sexual health.

When to Speak to a Doctor
If a low libido is lasting, distressing or interfering with your quality of life it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional. They can also help rule out conditions and recommend appropriate treatments.

Bottom Line
Progesterone is vital to our bodies. Its impact, on libido is complicated. For some, higher levels of Estrogen means less interest in sex — especially if estrogen is low.. There’s a lot of individual response variation.
It’s important to assess your hormones and health. Don’t ignore if things feel off. There are ways to regain some balance and get back to feeling like yourself.