The Progesterone Steal - Are you Adrenals Robbing You?

Think of your adrenal glands as your body’s emergency energy generator. Ideally, your energy comes from carbohydrates, fats, nutrients, oxygen, and thyroid hormones. However, when stress levels rise, your adrenals step in, releasing cortisol and adrenaline to keep you going.

In short bursts—like responding to danger or powering through a tough day—this response is beneficial. But when stress becomes chronic due to overwork, under-eating, excessive exercise, or poor sleep, the adrenals work overtime, leading to hormonal imbalances.

The "Progesterone Steal" and Chronic Stress

Progesterone cream can support adrenal health by helping to relieve the burden on the adrenal glands, especially in times of chronic stress or hormonal imbalance. Here's how it works:

1. Progesterone is a Precursor to Cortisol

The adrenal glands use pregnenolone to produce progesterone, which is then converted into cortisol, the primary stress hormone. When the body is under chronic stress, it prioritizes cortisol production—a phenomenon called "pregnenolone steal"—which can deplete progesterone levels. By supplementing with bioidentical progesterone cream, you may help restore balance and reduce adrenal overwork.

2. Balances Excess Estrogen (Estrogen Dominance)

Excess estrogen—often caused by stress or environmental toxins—can further strain the adrenals. Progesterone helps counter estrogen dominance, promoting a more balanced hormonal environment and reducing the systemic stress load.

3. Supports Sleep and Calmness

Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain and can enhance sleep quality. Better sleep directly supports adrenal repair, as the adrenals regenerate most effectively during rest.

4. Reduces Inflammation

Progesterone has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps lower chronic inflammation—a major source of adrenal stress.

5. Stabilizes Blood Sugar and Energy

Progesterone helps modulate insulin sensitivity and supports more stable blood sugar levels. Since blood sugar imbalances can trigger adrenal stress and cortisol spikes, keeping glucose levels steady can significantly ease the adrenal load and reduce fatigue or energy crashes often associated with adrenal burnout.

So, when stress levels remain high, your body prioritizes cortisol production over other hormones, including progesterone. Since progesterone is a precursor to cortisol, your adrenal glands divert progesterone to produce more stress hormones, leaving you with lower progesterone levels. 

This imbalance can contribute to symptoms such as:

Disruptive Sleep

Weight gain

Fatigue & brain fog

Digestive issues (bloating, reflux)

PMS, low libido, & irregular periods

Cold hands & feet

Some call this “adrenal fatigue,” but your adrenal glands don’t actually burn out. Instead, they are responding to prolonged stress and energy depletion, leading to adrenaline dominance rather than adrenal failure.

How to Support Your Adrenals (and Reduce Cortisol Overload)

1. Eat enough! No skipping meals—support blood sugar with easy-to-digest carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Using a 5% Progesterone Cream before meals can help block adrenaline surges..

2. Lower stress with deep breathing, sun exposure, and mindful movement.
3. Prioritize Sleep since cortisol disrupts melatonin. A small carbohydrate + protein snack before bed can help stabilize blood sugar and prevent nighttime adrenaline spikes. The body releases excess adrenaline primarily to raise glucose levels for the brain. Providing the brain with adequate fuel—through vegetables (glucose) and MCT oil (ketones)—reduces the need for adrenaline surges.Download our free diet guideline here. 4) Apply enough Progesterone cream to support your adrenals

4. Replenish nutrients—focus on magnesium, sodium, potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin C to support adrenal health.

Rather than “fixing” your adrenals, the goal is to support thyroid function and energy production, allowing your adrenals to work as they should.

🔗 Want to learn more? Read: Free Guide to Managing Adrenaline for optimal health

Reframing “Adrenal Fatigue”

While the symptoms of so-called adrenal fatigue are real, attributing them solely to adrenal dysfunction may overlook other underlying causes, such as chronic stress, sleep disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or thyroid imbalances.

Dr. Michael Platt, in his book Adrenaline Dominance - A Revolutionary Approach to Wellness, suggests that many symptoms attributed to adrenal fatigue are actually caused by excess adrenaline. He explains that adrenaline functions as a survival hormone, constricting blood flow to non-essential areas (like the salivary glands), which can lead to low cortisol levels in saliva tests and potential misdiagnosis.

Rather than focusing on adrenal fatigue, mainstream medical experts recommend a holistic approach that targets chronic stress through lifestyle adjustments, including:

✔Regular physical activity

✔Proper nutrition and balanced meals

✔Mindfulness and relaxation practices

✔Fostering social connections

By addressing the root cause—chronic stress—rather than just adrenal function, you can restore energy balance, improve hormone regulation, and enhance overall well-being.

🔗 Want to learn more? Download our Free Guide to Managing Adrenaline for Optimal Health.