Progesterone may play a role in modulating insulin sensitivity.
The Overlooked Male Hormone
Progesterone is often overlooked as a male hormone, despite the fact that both men and women produce it — just in different amounts. Similarly, both sexes produce estrogen. The key difference lies in the balance between them, not in the presence or absence of these hormones.
Why I Prescribe Progesterone for Men Over 50
I prescribe progesterone for most of my male patients over 50 for several reasons. As men get older, their levels of progesterone decrease, becoming almost non-existent around the age of 50. Interestingly, this is also the age when many men start developing a “middle-aged paunch.” Could there be a connection?
Progesterone, Insulin, and Fatigue
The answer is most definitely yes. And the reason? Progesterone is the number one hormone for lowering insulin levels — the hormone that creates fat right around the midsection. This is also the time of life when men may experience fatigue between 3 and 4 in the afternoon or get sleepy while driving and after eating – the classic times for tiredness related to overproduction of insulin. When insulin goes up, blood sugar goes down.
A brain deprived of sugar gets sleepy. The number one cause of people falling asleep while driving is hypoglycemia. The number one cause of hypoglycemia is too much insulin.
Some theories suggest that low progesterone might contribute to insulin dysregulation. One of the first benefits people experience after starting progesterone is that they no longer get sleepy in the afternoon, after eating, or while driving.
Prostate Health and Hormonal Balance
Another reason some experts consider progesterone supplementation for men over 50 is its potential role in supporting prostate health. While conclusive studies are lacking, it is known that as men enter andropause, progesterone levels decline and estrogen levels may rise — a shift that coincides with the age-related increase in prostate issues. Although more research is needed, some researchers hypothesize that excess estrogen could influence hormone-sensitive tissues in men.
