Tell Me Why progesterone plays a key role during perimenopause

Ann Marie McQueen, Founder of HotFlash Inc., joined Maria Botros on this week’s Tell Me Why episode to discuss the distinction between perimenopause and menopause, symptoms women experience, and misconceptions surrounding these pivotal phases in a woman’s life.

• Ann Marie: The beginning of menopause is actually sparked by a drop in progesterone.
• Progesterone really governs the stress response, so when the progesterone recedes, you can be left feeling very uncomfortable, says Ann Marie
• Ann Marie: We know from research that women of color, socioeconomic challenges, and adverse childhood experiences can worsen the perimenopause phase
• If you’re in a state where your estrogen is high but your progesterone is low, that’s where a lot of anger and lack of sleep can come from, says Ann Marie