The Fact
Progesterone is active in bone metabolism. Jerilynn Prior’s work describes estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone as partners in bone remodeling: estradiol restrains bone resorption while progesterone promotes osteoblast activity and new bone formation.
What This Means
Progesterone is not just about pregnancy or menstruation. A woman’s skeleton is listening to progesterone. Estrogen helps slow the tearing-down side of bone remodeling; progesterone helps support the building side.
Bone health depends on more than calcium. It is also an endocrine process.
Sources
- Seifert-Klauss V, Prior JC. Progesterone and bone: actions promoting bone health in women. J Osteoporos. 2010. PMID: 21052538.
- Prior JC. Progesterone for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women. Climacteric. 2018. PMID: 29962257.