Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance? How to Spot the Difference (5 Helpful Fixes )

If you’ve ever frantically Googled your weird symptoms, such as irregular periods, mood swings, and crushing fatigue, you’ve likely come across both ‘low progesterone’ or ‘estrogen dominance’ being blamed.

However, most articles fail to disclose a crucial fact: these terms are not interchangeable for ‘hormones gone wild.’ Instead, they represent two distinct imbalances, each accompanied by unique red flags and, more importantly, different solutions.

The confusion is understandable because these two hormonal imbalances frequently occur simultaneously, and their symptoms can appear remarkably similar: mood swings, irregular periods, fatigue, weight gain, and so on.

While they are closely related, low progesterone and estrogen dominance are not the same thing.

In this article, we’ll break down the difference and explain whether it is Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance in plain terms, how they relate, and explore what you can do if you suspect either one might be affecting you.

TL;DR: Estrogen Dominance vs Low Progesterone

• Both conditions involve hormone imbalance but aren’t exactly the same
• Low progesterone often leads to estrogen dominance
• Symptoms overlap: mood swings, irregular periods, fatigue
• Root causes can include stress, age, or poor liver detox
• Treatment often involves lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and diet

What Is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a primary female sex hormone, which plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle. It is also responsible for supporting pregnancy, and maintaining the balance between estrogen and other hormones.

Your body produces progesterone after ovulation, which occurs in the second half of your menstrual cycle (known as the luteal phase). If you don’t ovulate or if ovulation is weak, your progesterone levels may remain low.

What Is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance doesn’t necessarily imply excessive estrogen levels, although that’s possible. It can also indicate a higher estrogen-to-progesterone ratio.

In many cases, estrogen levels are within the normal range, but progesterone levels are too low, causing estrogen to become dominant. This is similar to a seesaw: even if estrogen levels are “normal,” if progesterone levels are too low, the balance is disrupted.

According to Dr. Christiane Northrup, a well-known OB/GYN and author, estrogen dominance is one of the most common hormonal imbalances in women today, especially in perimenopause.

Key Differences Between Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance

Aspect	Low Progesterone	Estrogen Dominance
Definition	Insufficient progesterone production.	Poor estrogen detox, high exposure to xenoestrogens, low progesterone.
Main Cause	Weak or absent ovulation.	Poor estrogen detox, high exposure to xenoestrogens, low progesterone.
Common Symptoms	Spotting, short luteal phase, anxiety.	Bloating, breast tenderness, heavy periods.
Hormone Levels	Low progesterone, estrogen may be normal.	High estrogen or low progesterone.
Treatment Focus	Support ovulation & adrenal health.	Improve liver detox & reduce estrogen exposure.

Shared Symptoms: Where Things Overlap

While there are differences, the overlapping symptoms make these conditions confusing. Both may the conditions can include the following as their symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Mood swings or anxiety
• PMS
• Fatigue
• Sleep issues
• Weight gain (especially around hips or belly)

This overlap occurs because estrogen and progesterone collaborate as a team. When this team is misaligned, symptoms tend to manifest regardless of which hormone is “off.”

Causes of Low Progesterone

• Chronic stress (which affects ovulation)
• PCOS or other ovulation disorders
• Perimenopause
• Under-eating or over-exercising
• Thyroid dysfunction

You can read more about low progesterone and irregular periods in our related guide: How low progesterone affects your period cycle.

Causes of Estrogen Dominance

• Low progesterone (yes, it’s often the root cause)
• Poor liver detox (liver processes excess estrogen)
• High intake of xenoestrogens (from plastics, body care products)
• Obesity (fat cells can produce estrogen)
• Chronic constipation (prevents estrogen clearance)

What You Can Do About It

1. Support Ovulation

Ovulation is crucial for progesterone production. Consume sufficient calories, manage stress, and avoid excessive exercise. For some individuals, supplements like Vitex may assist in promoting ovulation.

(Healthline).

2. Reduce Estrogen Exposure

• Avoid plastic containers and water bottles with BPA
• Use fragrance-free and natural personal care items
• Filter drinking water
• Eat organic when possible to reduce pesticide exposure

3. Help Your Liver Detox

Your liver is responsible for processing excess estrogen. To support it, consider:

• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale)
• Dandelion tea
• Plenty of water
• Limiting alcohol

4. Balance Blood Sugar

High insulin levels can lead to increased estrogen and disrupted progesterone levels. To manage this, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, and fiber. Additionally, avoid skipping meals to help regulate insulin levels.

5. Get Tested if Needed

If you suspect a hormone imbalance, consult your doctor for a saliva or serum hormone test to evaluate your estrogen and progesterone levels. This testing can offer valuable insights into your condition.

FAQs

Understanding the difference between low progesterone and estrogen dominance can empower you to take greater control of your health. Although they aren’t the same, they are often interconnected. Fortunately, with the right lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction, liver support, and mindful food choices, you can often naturally begin restoring hormonal balance.