Getting to Know Your Hormones: Progesterone

what is 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.