Getting to Know Your Hormones: Progesterone
Hormones are chemical messengers that tell your body what to do and when to do it. Scientists have identified over 50 bodily hormones that control a multitude of bodily processes. However, there are two main female sex hormones: progesterone and estrogen. At the heart of it, they work together to regulate the body’s reproductive processes.
The primary role of progesterone is to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle (in tandem with estrogen) and to support a healthy pregnancy. Keep reading for a better understanding of what progesterone does in the body, as well as an overview of healthy progesterone levels.
What Is Progesterone?
So, what is progesterone? As we mentioned, this hormone is essential to the reproductive system. More specifically, it supports menstruation and helps maintain the early stages of pregnancy. Keep scrolling, and we’ll tell you how.
What Does Progesterone Do in the Body?
Here’s an overview of the role progesterone plays within the reproductive system:
Menstruation
The ovaries start producing estrogen during the luteal phase (the phase after ovulation). Progesterone causes the uterine lining to thicken, creating an ideal environment for a fertilized egg to implant. If the egg isn’t fertilized, progesterone levels decline and the uterine lining breaks down (triggering the start of your menstrual period).
Pregnancy
On the other hand, if the egg is fertilized and conception occurs, progesterone levels increase. At this point, the uterine lining starts to provide nutrients for the fertilized egg. (Once the placenta forms, it takes over progesterone production.)
Progesterone levels increase with each trimester of pregnancy (they peak during weeks 28 to 40). These elevated progesterone levels prevent your body from ovulating while pregnant. They also suppress uterine contractions (which helps you avoid premature labor) and prepare you for breastfeeding.
Understanding Progesterone Levels
Just like estrogen, progesterone levels fluctuate throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle. Generally, they rise after ovulation and continue to rise throughout pregnancy. But as a woman gets older, her progesterone (and estrogen) levels will gradually decline until she reaches menopause.
Symptoms of Low Progesterone
Low progesterone levels affect your body in several ways. Most commonly, they make it hard to conceive and/or maintain a pregnancy. Low progesterone also increases the risk of complications like ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or preterm labor.
Symptoms of low progesterone (in people who aren’t pregnant) include:
Hot flashes
PMS/PMDD
Irregular periods
Difficulty sleeping
Trouble conceiving
Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
Symptoms of High Progesterone
Conditions like ovarian cysts or adrenal gland disorders can cause you to have excess progesterone.
Symptoms of high progesterone are similar to those of PMS:
Breast swelling or tenderness
Bloating
Anxiety or depression
Fatigue
Low libido
Weight gain
Holistic Infertility Treatment in Denver
As we mentioned, low progesterone can make it difficult for a woman to conceive or maintain pregnancy. However, the functional medicine practitioners at Denver Holistic Medicine can help.
Our holistic infertility treatments include functional medicine hormone testing, nutraceuticals, herbal medicine, individualized fertility nutrition and functional fitness programs. We work with all our patients on an individualized basis to develop the safest and most effective treatment plan for you.
Want a treatment plan that enhances your fertility and reproductive function while simultaneously boosting other aspects of your health and well-being? Schedule an appointment with our team.