Episode 6: "Progesterone: The Hormone That Helps You Sleep, Breathe, and Calm Down"

If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, waking up in the middle of the night, or just not like yourself lately… this episode is going to connect some dots for you.In this episode of Menopause HQ: Hot, Tired & Hormonal, we’re talking all about progesterone—the hormone that plays a major role in your sleep, mood, stress response, and emotional balance.A lot of women don’t realize that progesterone is one of the first hormones to decline during perimenopause. And when it does, it can show up as anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, racing thoughts, and feeling on edge for no clear reason.Angela and Latalya break down what progesterone actually does in the body, why symptoms like waking up at 2–3am happen, and how hormonal shifts can affect your nervous system and emotional response.In this episode, we talk about:What progesterone does and why your body needs itWhy anxiety can show up during perimenopause—even if you’ve never had it beforeThe connection between progesterone and sleep, including middle-of-the-night wake-upsWhy your patience feels shorter and your reactions feel strongerHow progesterone affects your nervous system and stress responseWhat options are available to support your body, including lifestyle changes and hormone therapyIf you’ve been wondering why you feel different and can’t quite explain it, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and give you language to advocate for yourself.🎧 Listen, learn, and share this with a friend who’s been saying, “I don’t feel like myself lately.”About Us:Menopause HQ is a company dedicated to helping women understand their bodies, advocate for themselves, and navigate perimenopause and post-menopause with confidence.  The podcast is co-hosted by Angela Black, MPH and LaTalya Louis, APRN, FNP-C.   LaTalya is an expert in women’s hormonal health. New episodes drop weekly! Links: Podcast website (Get your Listener Starter Kit here):  https://www.themenopausehq.com/podcast New here? Start with a FREE Preview of our  Menopause Symptom Tracker: https://www.themenopausehq.com  Shop T-shirts and Fun Menopause Merchandise:  https://www.themenopausehq.com/shop   The Final Flow Menopause and More (Contact LaTalya Louis, FNP):  https://www.thefinalflowmenopause.com Get a 6 Month Menopause Symptom Journal Tracker:  https://www.themenopausehq.com/journalFind a doctor in your area who is trained in menopausehere:  https://menopause.org  - Click on “patient education” Connect With Us: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=menopause%20hq Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/menopause.hq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menopausehq?_r=1&_t=ZT-94ETTK72H8v Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MenopauseHQ/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseHQ  Support This Podcast:Producing this podcast requires time, research, editing, hosting fees, and ongoing educational resources. If this podcast is helping you understand your body, advocate for yourself, or just feel less alone, and you’d like to support the work we’re doing, you can contribute through: Zelle:  [email protected] CashApp:  $menopausehq Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.