Carol Petersen

Fascinating “Human Hibernation” Theory That Finally Explains Why We’re So Sick – And How to Turn It Off

I just finished THE WINTER GENE: The Cause of Most Modern Diseases and How to Turn It Off by Jeff T. Bowles, and it’s one of the most thought-provoking health books I’ve read in years. If you’re tired of treating symptoms with pill after pill and want a big-picture explanation for obesity, heart disease, cancer, … Read more

Follow-Up: Progesterone, Weight, Appetite, and Energy Balance — Nuanced Insights from Dr. Jerilynn Prior

Progesterone increases appetite without weight gain during the luteal phase

A few days after publishing my piece on progesterone and weight gain, I received a thoughtful email from Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior, MD, FRCPC, Professor Emerita of Medicine and a leading researcher in women’s reproductive health and menstrual cycle science. She kindly gave me permission to share her comments here.

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Progesterone and Weight Gain: What the Dose-Dependent Data Actually Says

Progesterone and weight gain infographic showing metabolic benefits and insulin sensitivity data for bio-identical hormones.

If you’ve recently started progesterone therapy—whether for menopause, IVF, perimenopause, or cycle regulation—you might have noticed a shift on the scale and asked yourself: does progesterone cause weight gain? The relationship between progesterone and weight gain is more nuanced than a simple “yes” or “no,” and the answer is highly dose-dependent.

🧠 A note from Carol

I’m a functional medicine practitioner, and I’ve spent years helping women separate hormone fact from hormone fiction. Here’s what surprises most of my new patients: the thing they’ve been blaming for their weight gain (progesterone) is often not the real problem at all. I wrote this article to give you the data — and a fresh perspective.

If something here resonates with your own experience, let’s talk.
👉 Book a 15-minute consult

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Progesterone and Adrenaline: Calm vs. Fight or Flight

A light-toned medical illustration on a parchment-style background depicting the hormonal balance between progesterone and adrenaline. The left side features soft blue neural pathways and a brain labeled "Progesterone: Calm & Relaxation." The right side shows warm orange energy lines and adrenal glands labeled "Adrenaline: Fight-or-Flight." A central yin-yang symbol connects the two sides, illustrating a state of equilibrium.

What comes to mind when you think of stress? For most of us, it’s adrenaline — the hormone that primes our body for “fight or flight,” increasing heart rate and sharpening our senses. But what counterbalances this powerful system? The answer, lies in an unexpected source: progesterone. This article explores the fascinating science of how progesterone and adrenaline interact, creating a dynamic interplay that affects mood, anxiety, and overall resilience.

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What Is Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin (SHBG)?

SHBG-mechanism-of-action

Sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein made mainly in the liver. It binds strongly to key sex hormones like testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol. By doing so, SHBG controls how much of these hormones stay “free” (unbound) and biologically active in the body. Think of SHBG as a gatekeeper: it influences how much hormone is available to tissues in both men and women.

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