Understanding the Three P’s of Hormone Health
- Jourdan Delacruz
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Period Talk⏤Part 4 of collaboration with Jessica Beal, PharmD
When we talk about hormones, estrogen often gets the spotlight and for good reason. It plays a major role in everything from bone health to mood. But what often gets overlooked is its quieter, equally powerful counterpart: progesterone.
In fact, progesterone is arguably one of the most protective hormones in a woman’s body. It benefits the brain, bones, uterus, and breast tissue. It supports restful sleep, helps regulate mood, and even offers protection against breast cancer and heart disease. Yet despite its significance, there’s still a lot of confusion, especially when it comes to the terms- progesterone, progestogen, and progestin, which are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably.
Let’s break down these three “P’s” so you can better understand what’s in your body — or in your prescription.
1. Progesterone: The Natural Hormone
Progesterone is the hormone your body naturally produces primarily from the ovaries (after ovulation), adrenal glands, and during pregnancy, the placenta.
It plays a central role in the reproductive system by:
Regulating the menstrual cycle
Preparing the uterine lining for implantation
Supporting pregnancy
But that’s not all, progesterone also:
Supports bone health
Acts as a natural antidepressant
Regulates sleep and mood
Protects brain function
May lower the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease
Natural progesterone is referred to as bioidentical because it’s chemically identical to what your body makes. It’s often preferred in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for this reason, with a generally more favorable safety profile.
2. Progestogens: The Umbrella Term
Progestogens is the broad category that includes:
Natural progesterone
Synthetic progestins
These compounds all have similar progesterone-like activity in the body, especially in regulating the endometrial lining and supporting pregnancy. However, they’re not all created equal.
Some are bioidentical. Others, like progestins, are synthetic and act differently in the body, sometimes with side effects not seen with natural progesterone.
3. Progestins: The Synthetic Mimics
Progestins are synthetic progestogens designed to mimic progesterone. They were originally created to make oral contraceptives more effective at preventing ovulation and controlling bleeding.
Because natural progesterone wasn’t well absorbed orally, researchers modified the structure, often starting with testosterone, to create these more potent, orally bioavailable compounds.
But while they’re effective, progestins often behave very differently from natural progesterone in the body. Some may:
Bind to androgen (testosterone) receptors
Have estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects
Affect mood, libido, or metabolism
This variability means that not all progestins are suitable for every woman.
Examples of Progestins:
1st Gen: Norethindrone
2nd Gen: Levonorgestrel
3rd Gen: Desogestrel
4th Gen: Drospirenone (notably has anti-androgenic activity)
Why This Matters for You
Knowing the difference between these hormones empowers you to:
Choose the right contraceptive or HRT option for your body and goals
Ask informed questions when discussing side effects or treatment plans
Advocate for hormone therapy that supports your long-term health
Whether you’re managing symptoms, preventing pregnancy, or navigating menopause, understanding the three P’s gives you more control over your hormone health.
Resources
Asi N, et al. (2016). Progesterone vs. synthetic progestins and the risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960754/
Gompel A, et al. (2018). Progesterone, progestins and the breast in menopause treatment. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13697137.2018.1476483
Melmed S, et al. (2020). Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive Axis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/progestin
Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection. (2020).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/progestin-only-hormonal-birth-control-pill-and-injection
Shoupe D. (2021). The Progestin revolution: Progestins are arising as the dominant players in the tight interlink between contraceptives and bleeding control.https://contraceptionmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40834-020-00142-5
Trabert B, et al. (2019). Progesterone and breast cancer. https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/41/2/320/5568276
Voelker R. (2011). Risk of blood clots higher for oral contraceptives with certain progestins. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/201922
Holtorf, K. (2009). The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safe? Journal of Women’s Health
Lieberman, A., & Curtis, L. (2017). In Defense of Progesterone: A Review of the Literature. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 23(6), 24–32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29055286/
About the Authors
Jourdan Delacruz is a 2X Olympian and represented Team USA in the sport of Weightlifting at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Jourdan holds a bachelor's in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado. She is pursuing her master's degree in sports nutrition to become a sport-registered dietitian. Jourdan founded Herathlete, a brand committed to supporting female athletes through education and community.
Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD, is a clinical sports pharmacist and the founder of The Athlete’s Pharmacist. She specializes in female athletes, optimizing hormones, and understanding medication impacts on performance. Consulting with athletes, teams, and healthcare providers, Jessica takes an integrative approach, ensuring no foundational aspect is overlooked in pursuit of peak performance and well-being.
You can connect with Jess on Instagram @jess_rx or through email at jbealrx@gmail.com
Be sure to check out her services and offerings at www.theathletespharmacist.com
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