Meet Nature's Very Own Benzo: Progesterone

Primarily produced by the ovaries, progesterone dominates the second half of a women's menstrual cycle, post ovulation. It is the balancing hormone to estrogen's "fire", often referred to as nature's benzodiazepine. It is also a key player in regulating a women's menstrual cycle, with its increase and drop signaling to the body to start menses. With conception, progesterone continues to climb until which point the placenta takes over its production. This is often the first hormone to start fluctuating during periomenopause, leading to variable cycles lengths. It is also during this time that progesterone production shifts away from the ovaries and relies more on the adrenals.

Interestingly progesterone also plays a role in other areas including mood, libido and sleep. It has been shown to normalize blood sugar levels, restore cell oxygen levels and stimulate osteoblast for bone building.