Why Progesterone Makes Some Women Feel Worse

Have you taken progesterone expecting calm, better sleep, or relief from PMS… only to feel more anxious, wired, or worse overall? You are not a failure—and progesterone is not failing you. Your body is responding exactly as physiology dictates. The issue is how progesterone is being delivered and metabolized.

In this episode, Dr. McCarthy explains:

• What it means to be a progesterone reverse responder

• How progesterone normally supports mood and brain chemistry through allopregnanolone

• Why some women experience paradoxical anxiety, insomnia, or agitation

• The role of the 5-alpha reductase pathway in progesterone metabolism

• Why oral progesterone can overwhelm the brain in certain women

• How PCOS, topical testosterone, stress, insulin resistance, and ultra-processed diets can amplify reverse responses

• Why kinetics and delivery method matter just as much as dosage

Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.

 

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📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604

 

📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy:

Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy

TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy

Website: www.protealife.com

 

💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!