Midlife, Misdiagnosed, and Miserable—Until This Hormone Changed Everything

My Wake-Up Call: Estrogen Alone Wasn’t the Answer—Here's Why You Need Progesterone, Too

My recent visit to an all-over body wellness doctor was eye-opening—and honestly, terrifying.

He ran a full blood panel—12 vials of blood—and followed it with a complete body scan. I’ve always prided myself on knowing my body. I eat clean, I stay sort of active( lol), and I thought I was in pretty good shape.

But when he went over the results, my jaw dropped.

• I’m pre-diabetic.

• I have plaque buildup in my femoral artery.

• And I’m at high risk of a heart attack or stroke.

He told me to start on baby aspirin and a heart medication immediately.

I won’t sugarcoat it—I was scared.

I was even more shocked when he said I have high cholesterol and am severely hormonally imbalanced. I’ve been on estrogen-only hormone therapy for years because my previous doctor told me to avoid progesterone. Since then, I’ve been living in a constant fog—not sleeping, gaining weight, forgetting everything, and dragging through the day with a deep, unshakable fatigue.

But then this doctor looked at me and said:

“You need progesterone. It’s not optional—it’s critical for balance, sleep, and heart protection.”

And my first reaction was:

Why has no one else told me this?

Why does every doctor give a different opinion?

How many women are suffering like I was—silently, needlessly?

I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out, I was just missing the right hormone.

Even though I do this for a living—talk about hormones, menopause, sexual wellness—somehow I didn’t hear it as applying to me. I’ve listened to expert after expert speak on the topic, but I never truly saw myself in their stories. Maybe, strangely, I didn’t want to be “that older lady” (ugh).

I now understand something I’ve heard from so many wise elders in my life:

“I may be older on the outside, but inside, I still feel young.”

Now that statement makes perfect sense to me. And it raises a powerful question:

Is getting older the time to finally make yourself a priority?

For me, the answer is a clear, resounding YES.

Let’s talk about what estrogen and progesterone actually do—and why you need both to thrive.

What Is Estrogen, and Why Isn’t It Enough?

Estrogen is a sex hormone primarily produced in the ovaries. It regulates your menstrual cycle, boosts skin, supports bones, and keeps your libido humming. It’s why estrogen replacement is often the go-to for menopause symptoms like hot flashes and dryness.

But here’s the twist: estrogen alone isn’t the full picture.

When you take estrogen without progesterone—especially if you still have a uterus—it can lead to something called estrogen dominance, which comes with its own chaos:

• Insomnia

• Irritability and anxiety

• Weight gain and fluid retention

• Breast tenderness

• Brain fog

• Increased risk of uterine lining issues

Sound familiar?

What Progesterone Actually Does (That No One Talks About)

Progesterone is the chill, nurturing hormone. It balances out estrogen and brings a sense of calm to your nervous system. You produce it after ovulation, and levels crash during perimenopause and menopause.

Here’s what progesterone helps regulate:

• Deep, restful sleep

• Mood and anxiety

• Memory and mental clarity

• Metabolism and weight

• Cortisol (your stress hormone)

• Uterine lining (yes, even post-menopause!)

  
  

I hadn’t slept deeply in months—maybe years. I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out, I was just progesterone deficient—and no one caught it.

Can Balancing Hormones Help with Weight Loss?

Absolutely. When estrogen and progesterone are in balance, your body can finally stop fighting itself. Progesterone helps:

• Reduce insulin resistance

• Lower cortisol (which stores belly fat)

• Support thyroid function

• Improve sleep (which directly affects metabolism)

• Stabilize mood and cravings

  
  

I was gaining weight and blaming myself. But now I know: a hormonally unbalanced body holds onto fat. Especially around the hips, thighs, and belly.

Why You Can’t Sleep on Estrogen Alone

Estrogen can actually be stimulating, especially without progesterone to calm it down. That 2 a.m. wake-up with your heart racing? That “tired but wired” feeling? That was me, night after night.

Progesterone is what tells your brain: you’re safe, sleep now. It helps you stay asleep and cycle through REM and deep sleep.

So Why Did My Previous Doctor Say Not to Take It?

Great question. The truth is that many doctors are still following outdated protocols. Some were taught that progesterone is only necessary if you still have a uterus, to prevent endometrial buildup. Others were trained on synthetic progestins (not real progesterone), which can cause side effects that true, bioidentical progesterone does not.

Bottom line:

Women are not being given full, accurate information about their hormones.

And we’re suffering because of it.

Estrogen is the fire. Progesterone is the oxygen mask. You need both.

They’re hormonal yin and yang. One brings energy, the other brings ease. Together, they create balance. Without progesterone, estrogen can run the show—and leave you feeling inflamed, overstimulated, and exhausted.

• Estrogen = the fire → It’s energizing, stimulating, drives libido, mood, skin glow, curves, and keeps everything lively.

• Progesterone = the oxygen mask → It brings calm, balance, helps you sleep, reduces anxiety, and protects you from “burning out” from too much stimulation.

What to Ask Your Provider

If you're on estrogen-only therapy and still feeling off, ask:

• Can I get tested for progesterone deficiency?

• Do I need bioidentical progesterone support?

• Could balancing my hormones help me sleep, lose weight, and feel like myself again?

• Why am I still tired, anxious, and foggy—even on estrogen?

At Glissant, We See You

We believe that hormone health is sexual health is mental health is whole health. Your sleep, your libido, your clarity, your pleasure—they all matter.

You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy. You’re not fading.

You’re just ready to feel like yourself again.