Low Progesterone - Symptoms, Causes, and What You Can Do About It

Progesterone is a sex hormone secreted by the ovaries, placenta, and adrenal glands. Progesterone has a role in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. This hormone is characteristic for its activity in reproduction, although it has many other roles in our bodies. Read on and learn about the different causes of low progesterone and what you can do about it.

What are its functions?

Progesterone helps the fertilized egg be implanted in the uterus to establish a pregnancy and helps maintain a healthy pregnancy
Progesterone maintains the lining of the uterus by increasing blood and oxygen flow
It regulates the mood, especially in the second half of the menstrual cycle
Maintaining a regular length of the menstrual cycle
Quality and sufficient sleep
Normalizes menstrual bleeding
Alleviating anxiety
Calming the nervous system
Progesterone is also produced in the adrenal glands of males. Its function is associated with sperm development

Symptoms Of Low Progesterone

Sometimes the symptoms can be similar to other various health problems, but two of the most significant signs of low progesterone are irregular periods and a short menstrual cycle (that is the cycle that is less than 24 days long).

Оther signs that indicate low progesterone levels are:

– A feeling of anxiety, fatigue, and depression in the days before getting a menstrual cycle. Low progesterone levels are associated with greater aggression and fatigue during the PMS period (premenstrual syndrome).

– Difficulty conceiving or early pregnancy loss – decreased progesterone levels can be one of the contributing factors to difficulty conceiving or miscarriage.

– Bleeding during pregnancy – mild to moderate vaginal bleeding can be the first sign of a threatened miscarriage. Increasing progesterone levels can help reduce symptoms and the risk of miscarriage.

– Short menstrual cycles are also a sign of a low progesterone level. Short menstrual periods that are less than 24 days long. – counting from the first day of menstruation until the beginning of the next menstruation. Short menstrual cycles are frequent in women approaching menopause as progesterone levels decrease.

Low levels of this hormone can also cause frequent headaches/migraines, and chest pain and can be associated with low blood sugar.

What Causes Low Progesterone?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Stress
Menopause
Diet
Excessive exercise
Low cholesterol
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
Low body weight

How Can a Woman Increase Her Progesterone Levels?

No food naturally contains progesterone, but certain types of food have a positive effect on increasing the level of progesterone in the body.

Vitamin C can help increase progesterone levels if there is a progesterone deficiency. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps stimulate immunity and helps fight infections. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen. Foods rich in vitamin C are strawberries, lemon, kiwi, tomatoes, and white potatoes.

Zinc can also help increase progesterone levels in the body, and it is also a mineral that the body needs to fight viruses and infections. Some research has shown that zinc has a direct role in the production of progesterone and shows that the dose of zinc can stimulate the secretion of progesterone in the body. However, taking too much zinc can interfere with progesterone production.

L -arginine – One of the uses of L-arginine is to help maintain a woman’s reproductive system properly. Initial research found that dietary supplements with L-arginine help increase progesterone levels. The researchers who did the study reported that 70% of the participants who received L-arginine progesterone levels increased. Natural sources of L-arginine are red meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products.

Vitamin E may contribute to increased progesterone levels. The researchers found that when the patients received vitamin E, nearly three-quarters of patients had a “significant” increase in their progesterone levels. The best sources of vitamin E are wheat germ oil, various nuts and seeds, and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E oil can also be таке as a supplement as part of a healthy diet.

Vitamin B6 can also help, Foods high in vitamin B6 include fish, chicken, tofu, pork, beef, sweet potatoes, bananas, potatoes, avocados, and pistachios.

Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of hormonal balance and strengthens progesterone levels in the body. Spinach, nuts, whole grains, black beans, and fish are excellent sources of magnesium.

Getting enough sleep, practicing stress-reduction techniques, maintaining healthy body weight, and using progesterone supplements can also help increase your progesterone levels.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, progesterone is an essential factor in the good health of a woman. It’s responsible for keeping many vital reproductive processes functional and healthy. The truth is, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s likely that you’ve got low progesterone—and that should be changed right away. So follow these tips and consult with your doctor.