Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by both men and women. It is more important for women since it is connected to menopause, pregnancy, and general health. If you're a woman trying to conceive, you may be interested in raising your progesterone levels. Low progesterone levels may lead to infertility, decreased sexual desire, and other problems.
A doctor may prescribe several types of progesterone. There are synthetic variants, also known as progestins. Continue reading to discover more about progesterone and how you can increase your levels through certain practices.
What happens when you have low Progesterone?
Fertility problems from low Progesterone
Progesterone plays a critical function in a woman's cycle, ensuring that the uterine lining remains in place for the whole 14-day period. This is done so that a fertilized egg may embed itself in the uterine wall and the pregnancy can develop.
If a woman gets pregnant, her progesterone levels rise, allowing the uterine lining to remain intact. If she does not become pregnant, her progesterone levels fall, causing the uterine lining to shed and her period to begin. However, very low progesterone levels may result in infertility, irregular and heavy periods, and more severe PMS symptoms.
Anxiety from low Progesterone
Progesterone has a significant impact on your mood and functions as an antidepressant. As a result, when it is scarce, it may cause bouts of poor mood, anxiety, and melancholy, as well as sleeplessness.
Estrogen dominance
One of the most common reasons for insufficient progesterone is estrogen dominance. Progesterone and estrogen have a mutually beneficial interaction in which one is required to manage the other. When estrogen levels are too high and progesterone levels are too low, the balance becomes unbalanced, resulting in symptoms such as ovarian fibroids, cellulite, weight gain, painful periods, mood swings, and bloating.
How do I increase my Progesterone?
Progesterone is essential for sexual and reproductive health, but it may also have an impact on other parts of your health. Progesterone levels vary for a number of reasons, but they normally decline with age. Progesterone production nearly completely ceases during menopause.
Raising progesterone levels may be beneficial to your health, particularly as you approach perimenopause and menopause. Continue reading to discover more about progesterone and how to increase it.
Pills for low Progesterone
To increase progesterone levels with pills, a person can take progesterone supplements, which are available in several forms including:
- Progesterone pills: These are oral tablets that contain progesterone hormone. They are typically prescribed for women with irregular menstrual cycles or those who are trying to conceive.
- Progesterone cream: This is a topical cream that contains progesterone hormone, which is absorbed through the skin. It is typically used to help balance hormone levels in women with symptoms of estrogen dominance.
- Progesterone suppositories: These are small pills that are inserted into the vagina, they are used to provide progesterone hormone locally in the pelvic area.
- It's important to note that progesterone supplements should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Diet for low Progesterone
Protein is essential for the growth, repair and maintenance of the body's cells and tissues. The body uses amino acids, the building blocks of protein, to produce hormones such as progesterone.
Lean meats, fish and poultry are excellent sources of protein. They provide the body with the essential amino acids it needs to produce hormones.
Additionally, consuming a diet rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can also help to support hormone production. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the health of the cell membranes, and they play an important role in hormone production. They are found in fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts and canola oil.
Oats for low Progesterone
Oats are a good option for hormone health if you're seeking a plant-based protein source. Oats are richer in protein than many other cereals, with roughly 11g per 100g. Not to mention that oats contain all nine necessary amino acids that the body needs to operate properly — and to generate vital hormones.
Oats are technically not a "complete" protein since they contain only trace levels of some amino acids, notably lysine. However, you may turn oats into a complete protein by combining them with other incomplete proteins, particularly ones containing lysine. You may, for example, add seeds or spread nut butter on top of your oats.
Zinc
As previously stated, zinc regulates progesterone levels by interacting with the pituitary gland to stimulate the production of FSH. This ensures that the corpus luteum develops and generates progesterone throughout the second part of the menstrual cycle, promoting normal ovulation.
Foods that are high in zinc include oysters, beef, pork, chicken, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Zinc can also be found in smaller amounts in dairy products, seafood, and fortified cereals.
Vitamin C for low Progesterone
Vitamin C pills may help enhance your progesterone levels naturally. One research found that women who took 750 mg of vitamin C per day had a 77% rise in blood progesterone levels. Make sure you obtain at least the daily recommended dose of vitamin C, which is 75 milligrams.
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