Female heart attacks happen about 10 years later than men. Estrogen protection is not the full story. Let's talk about progesterone.
Ovulatory Disturbances
Women can have normal estradiol levels and low progesterone. This silent ovulatory disturbance occurs in 1/3 of all cycles in premenopausal women. The only way to diagnose this condition is through serum or saliva levels or urinary metabolites which we offer at Second Nature Care. We run full hormone panels to check both total estrogens and progesterone.
Progesterone, a biphasic hormone, is supposed to balance estradiol. Progesterone postively influences blood flow, smooth muscle cells and cardiac electrical signals.
Primate studies show that a high fat diet (not good fats) causes more stress, fewer ovulations and lower progesterone levels. Low progesterone levels correlate to increased arterial plaque development, stress and multiple miscarriages.
Progesterone is needed for cardiac protection in women. Low dose aspirin does not decrease the risk of first heart attacks in women, but it does decrease the risk of stroke in women diagnosed with high blood pressure.
It is important to manage blood sugar regulation as diabetes increases women's, not men's risk of cardiovascular disease.The Role of Progesterone in Female Heart Health
Natural Hormone Balance and Hormonal Cross-Talk
Estrogen and progesterone have a relationship. Estradiol up-regulates progesterone receptors. Progesterone counterbalances cortisol - our stress hormone. For example: when our bones breakdown in menopause cortisol inhibits bone rebuilding while progesterone directly promotes bone building formation.
In the heart, progesterone inhibits cardiac cell injury and high blood pressure. When we have oxidative stresses progesterone stimulates nitric oxide synthetase, an enzyme, that protects the inside of blood vessels from injury due to hypertension.
Progesterone compared to estradiol decreased arrhythmias and the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Women need normal progesterone levels to increase their core temperature for weight maintenance. If you can't lose weight you might want to check your progesterone levels.
Recap:
Women need a balance of hormones whether they are premenopausal, perimenopausal or in menopause. Oral progesterone has side effects of improving sleep, reducing anxiety, effectively reducing hot flashes and night sweats, supporting bone health and lastly, reducing cardiovascular risks.
