I have anemia and LOW progesterone..I think it's more common to have low progesterone when you are anemic. High progesterone can convert to androgens, that's why it's not good to have too much of it. But, low progesterone means that progesterone levels are too low for it to regulate other hormones, so you might end up with increased facial hair, depression, increased inflammation, acid reflux, and acne. It's really about finding the optimal amount for your body.

This is just one of the many sources I came across when diagnosing low progesterone. http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/increase-low-progesterone-levels.html Other sites I read agree on the side effects, so it's consistent for the most part.

In my opinion, progesterone needs to be way too high for it to be androgenic when it's natural progesterone. Synthetic progesterone is far more androgenic in far lower quantities than natural progesterone.

About anemia causing acne...I"m not sure if there's a connection there. But when I was getting acupuncture for it, they did some "blood toning" treatments to strengthen my blood and my skin also became clearer and healthier. So maybe it has to do with overall health and immune response.

Can anyone provide some insight into how or why anemia could cause acne? Also, how high progesterone could cause acne?

Anemia doesn't cause acne. It could, however be an indication that you are not getting enough iron. One way this can happen is with insufficient animal protein. A lack of animal protein and the associated saturated fat will suppress your optimal hormone levels by starving you of the building blocks you need to manufacture the various hormones. This in turn can cause hormonal deficiencies and acne.

Progesterone opposes estradiol.

Estradiol opposes testosterone

Testosterone causes acne.

So, overly elevated progesterone can stimulate acne indirectly.