Progesterone is, of course, very important to our reproductive system. It is one of the hormones that plays a vital role in regulating many of the bodies functions – especially a woman’s cycle. It also plays a very large role in maintaining a pregnancy, so being progesterone deficient can have drastic effects.
During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, progesterone is produced by the collapsed follicle until either the period begins (which then marks the start of a new cycle and lower progesterone levels) or until the placenta takes over for producing the progesterone during a pregnancy.
One of progesterone’s most important functions is to cause the endometrium to secrete special proteins during the second half of the menstrual cycle, preparing it to receive and nourish an implanted fertilized egg. If implantation does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the endometrium breaks down and menstruation occurs.
If a pregnancy occurs, progesterone is produced in the placenta, and levels remain elevated throughout the pregnancy. The combination of high estrogen and progesterone levels suppress further ovulation during pregnancy. Progesterone also encourages the growth of milk-producing glands in the breast during pregnancy. (source)
Other Roles of Progesterone:
- helps normalize blood sugar levels
- boosts thyroid function
- helps us use fat for energy
- has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects
- reduces swelling and inflammation
(from What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause)
Symptoms of Low Progesterone
Many of the symptoms of low progesterone also coincide with symptoms of other health issues, so be aware that just because you may have some of these, it doesn’t mean you’re low on progesterone, but of course it’s definitely worth looking into.
- a luteal phase less than 12 days
- sugar cravings
- ovarian cysts
- low basal body temperatures
- irregular periods
- allergy symptoms
- arthritis
- spotting in the days before your period begins
- recurrent early miscarriage
- blood clots during menstruation
- cold hands and feet
- brittle nails
- cracked heels
- decreased sex drive
- menstrual cramps
- depression or anxiety
- acne
- fatigue
- fibrocystic breasts
- PCOS
- endometriosis
- fibromyalgia
- gallbladder issues
- Foggy thinking
- headaches and migraines
- infertility
- vaginal dryness
- slow metabolism
- mood swings
- weight gain, especially around the middle
Over the summer I read What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause by Dr. John Lee and highly recommend it to anyone needing to know more about natural hormone balance. He discusses at length why we may be low in progesterone and how to use a natural progesterone cream to help rectify the issue. Below are just a few of my notes.
- xeno-estrogens/xeno-hormones make us estrogen dominant. They come from plastics, synthetic hormones, conventional meats and animal products, etc. This exposure can result in low progesterone. If our mothers were exposed to it, it can cause dysfunction in her daughters ovarian follicles.
- the embryonic stage of life is when ovarian tissues are most sensitive to the toxicity of xeno-hormones
- xeno-hormones are fat soluble (meaning the body absorbs and holds on to them) and non-biodegradable
- Stress increases levels of cortisol, which blocks progesterone from it’s receptors in the body. To much stress and progesterone won’t get where it needs to go.
- Using huge amounts of supplements over the long term may result in another imbalance in the body.
- Our bodies release mood and energy enhancing chemicals (like adrenaline) to fight allergic responses to food – we are hooked on what we’re allergic to!
- Exercise to hard lowers antioxidant levels in the body. Moderate exercise raises levels.
This book also went into the explanation of natural progesterone creams, which aren’t truly natural; a better name is bio-identical. You see, the progesterone in our bodies is produced no where else in nature. Dioscorea mexicana is a plant that is part of the yam family native to Mexico. It has a steroid called diosgenin that is taken from the plant and is converted into progesterone by changing the cellular structure.
Naturally Boosting Progesterone
1. Progesterone, like all other steroid hormones, is synthesized from pregnenolone, which in turn is derived from cholesterol (source) so making sure you have adequate consumption of dietary cholesterol is very important.
2. The herb vitex is also helpful as it works to lower estrogen and raise progesterone simultaneously.
3. Turmeric, found in curry, is known to help increase the body’s progesterone levels. Other herbs such as thyme and oregano are thought to have the same properties. (source)
4. Increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamin B, specifically B-6
5. A diet low in conventional meats and animal products, as many times the hormones given to them act as estrogens in the body. Choose organic and preferably grass-fed products.
6. Don’t use plastics, canned foods, or conventional cleaners and beauty products. Most of them contain estrogen like compounds that cause a body to be estrogen dominant.
7. Ensure enough magnesium intake.
8. Eat plenty of protein each day with each meal – hormones need protein for production.
9. Consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, and especially dark leafy greens. These micro-nutrients are important for progesterone production.
10. Use a bio-identical progesterone cream. The one I recommend, and use, is from Beeyoutiful. While all natural progesterone within the cream is the same, the other ingredients in it make a big difference. Some creams and lotions actually contain xeno-estrogens – kind of contradicting what the cream is meant to do! Beeyoutiful’s cream contains just coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil infused with organic wild yam root, organic comfrey root, and cayenne, 1000 mg USP progesterone, sweet orange essential oil, rosemary essential oil, candelilla wax, beeswax. It goes on easily, absorbs quickly, and has no smell.
{Disclaimer – Beeyoutiful is a sponsor of the Naturally Balanced 30-day challenge. My thoughts on their product are my own, and I asked them to be a sponsor because I loved their cream, and had purchased it myself months ago. Also – they have great customer service}
11. Practice Lunaception to raise progesterone. In Katie Singer’s book “Garden of Fertility” she mentions that progesterone can be strengthened by sleeping in total darkness all but 3 days out of the cycle.
If you’ve been found to have low progesterone, how did you go about fixing the problem?
More reading: Progesterone and the Luteal Phase
Interested in the supplements, herbs, books, or products I like? I recently set up an Amazon store so that I could easily share them with you.
All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.
Estrogen Dominance is often a misdiagnosis when it comes to luteal phase dysfunction, WITH the following symptoms or histories:
-short follicular phase – time between end of bleeding and ovulation. This is a sign of low estrogen production in the body. This rolls into having a weak luteal phase because without the estrogen, the progesterone production will be low as well in response.
-history of malnutrition (“dieting”, low carb especially) and/or prolonged strenuous exercise. Google, “Exercise Luteal Phase Defect Amenorrhea”.
Progesterone cream and Vitex may not help in this scenario because of the underlying starvation response in the body. Women need an extra 500+ calories during their luteal phase and this is what causes the cravings. Your body is trying to tell you that you should eat more!
[Reply]
Ann Marie @CHEESESLAVE Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@Anna,
Interesting! It makes sense. Last week I was STARVING and was eating a lot more than I usually eat. I was in the luteal phase. This week I’m not eating as much.
And yes, I have a history of dieting, skipping meals and low-carbing.
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Ann Marie @CHEESESLAVE,
If you think of it, progesterone is “pro-gest”, meaning, your body prepares for possible pregnancy. And pregnancy = more calories to create a placenta, blood supply, and baby. I really liked reading Dr. Tom Brewer & Gail Sfroza Brewer’s writings. Very strong on having ample protein to do all of the above and prevent pre-term labor & pre-eclampsia.
Another interesting tangent is a recently posted TED talk about “what babies learn before birth” or to that effect. The speaker references maternal malnutrition (pre-pregnancy and during) which conditions the child’s metabolism towards diabetes/obesity in later life.
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@Anna, I am so interested in the “need an extra 500 calories during the luteal phase”. Do you have any links or other info on this? I’ve recently been looking into the changes that happen between the phases of the cycle and this would totally fit with a couple other things I’ve come across.
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 10:04 am
@donielle,
Taken from Don Matesz’s acupuncture website:
http://www.barefoot-acupuncture.com/PMS.html
Would be a worthwhile blog post.
[Reply]
Lori Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@Anna,
That’s so interesting because I’m always more hungry during that phase! I’ve been taking chaste tree, and I’ve noticed in the last month or so, it’s gotten worse! Does that mean I’m getting more in balance? : )
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@Lori,
If you are experiencing depression symptoms as part of your PMS, stop vitex! Henriette’s Herbal page has a post regarding this problem.
As for eating – continue to “Eat the Food”, i.e., eat more of recognizable food products, more starches and fruits. Helps me.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 11:39 am
@Anna,
Interesting. The main issue I”m fighting is late-cycle spotting. 3-5 days worth before my period starts. My luteal phase is long enough since I don’t count day 1 until my period starts for real. I’ve tried both vitex and a bioidentical progesterone cream with no luck.
My bloodwork also puts me at borderline for PCOS. We’ve been doing what I call sensible carb-ing for our diet for the past few months. Measured portions of mostly whole carbs, and I feel a lot better. So far no improvement with the spotting but I’ve lost a few lbs I was carrying around my middle.
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@Stacy,
You will want to get your Vitamin D levels checked – Google PCOS and Vitamin D. Combine with a Calcium Citrate (straight up, no adds) and Magnesium Citrate for easy digestion. Vitacost.com has great prices and fast shipping.
http://grassrootshealth.net/
They do Vit. D testing for a relatively low price and you participate in their long-range study. Follow-up testing is every 6 months. My level was 27 ng/L; recommended is over 40, over 50 for childbearing age.
Just so everyone knows – I have experienced chronic luteal phase dysfunction for the last 10 years. It began after I inadvertently malnourished myself in my early twenties. What I say is all from my trial-and-error and research. I have yet to clear up the pre-menstrual spotting, but many other issues, like cramps & most pms issues have resolved themselves. Maybe I could work with Donielle on a guest post about what I’ve learned?
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@Anna, A guest post? Yes, yes, and yes!
I love hearing other people stories of healing and getting new ideas of what to look out for in my own health. If you have time to put one together, I’ll get it posted.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Anna,
Hmm…I live in Phoenix (which means 350 sunny days/year) and am out in my car all day- I always figured that would be adequate vit D from the sun exposure. I just checked and Vit D levels weren’t something that was checked with my last round of bloodwork.
Right now my main symptom that anything is amiss is the late-cycle spotting. I ovulate every cycle (is on my charts and was confirmed with a blood test), so long as I limit my starches I seem to be ok there, and I feel good and have good energy levels. The only foods we are restricting right now are starches (and obvious junk foods)- good fats, protein, fruits and veggies we eat pretty much as necessary/wanted.
I’d love to see a guest post about all of this!
[Reply]
Kelsey Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@Stacy, I’m pretty sure you can’t get Vitamin D through the glass while inside your car – you need to be actually out in it. What goes through the glass is the harmful rays, from what I understand, not the UVB rays that your body converts into Vitamin D.
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Stacy, Yea, I don’t think the rays go through wondows like they used to. All cars made in the last couple of decades have UVA/UVB protection – I know because I used to have those tinting glasses and was told they go by the rays and so they wouldn’t tint in the car.
[Reply]
Kelsey Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Anna, Well, now I don’t feel so badly for being starving this week! (I’m in my luteal phase). This makes perfect sense – I’ve been craving fatty things like avacados, not sweets, which I attributed to my body trying to prepare itself for possible pregnancy. So low estrogen also leads to low progesterone? I have low estrogen, and have many of the symptoms above. I didn’t know the two went together. I’ve been afraid to try to do anything about low progesterone symptoms because everything for that seems to lower estrogen levels, which I don’t want. sigh. Like I posted below, I am confused about all of this.
[Reply]
Interesting. I had a baby 4 months ago and I know my hormones are not rebalanced yet and I’ve been trying to puzzle out what exactly is going on and what to do. This provides more information for me. I’d love to see more nitty-gritty on hormones in the body and balancing the endocrine system (interactions between hormones, herbal and dietary interventions, etc). Obviously where I am is a little different because I’m breastfeeding and that changes my hormones but I’m very curious what is normal post-pregnancy and how long it should take to return to normal, and what ‘normal’ even is, hormonally. Thanks!
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
@Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama, I’ve got a few thoughts on this- but basically I think that “traditionally” (before estrogen dominance became so prevalent) ovulation didn’t occur until the baby was weaned/almost weaned. Because most of the time babies were spaced out a few years apart. I’ve done some research into biblical times breastfeeding and it seems that the norm was about 3 years until weaning and babies were about 3-4 years apart.
But because estrogen helps eggs to mature, my thinking is that women who have to much (and still adequate amounts of progesterone) may ovulate within weeks/months after birth – much earlier than in the past. So I think that at least 12-18 months of lactation amenorrhea is very probable, sometimes extending beyond that. And “normal” hormones during breastfeeding should include enough prolactin to supress the progesterone production so that the body does not conceive while another baby is still relying on the mother for all of it’s nourishment.
[Reply]
My progesterone has always been on the very low side of “normal” so I am thinking of giving my body a little boost to see if it helps. After a few years of infertility and 7 years with endo, I am open to trying any healthy fertility boosters. I’ve already seen a slight boost with changing my diet, but want to give my some extra support.
What are your suggested instructions for using this cream? I wouldn’t want to use it at the wrong time or for too short a duration.
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
@Danielle, When I purchased my cream it came with how to use it. (and the beeyoutiful site has instructions as well) Most women will use it twice a day during the luteal phase, or after ovulation. And then use it for two weeks.
[Reply]
Good post, Donielle! I am working on this myself and doing a lot of the things you suggest. I will check out Beeyoutiful!
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
@Ann Marie @CHEESESLAVE, I really like Beeyoutiful! I got my cream in like 2 days and am about to start using it again to help regulate my cycle before we try again.
Also – I think our husbands have the same ideas about lunaception.
Luckily we live in the country so I’m not to worried about moonlight and we have no artificial light coming in. I think I’ll still get some blackout curtains eventually, but I think Todd would commit me if I went nuts keeping out window light.
[Reply]
Ann Marie @CHEESESLAVE Reply:
December 8th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
@donielle, Thanks so much for the recommendation — I will order their cream when I run out of the kind I have.
Actually Seth called last night and I started telling him about lunaception and he said, “I read your post. I’m all for it!”
He reminded me of his dream vacation. He was talking to one of our friends a while back and she was saying her dream vacation was the Hawaiian islands or something like that and he said, “My dream vacation is to check into a hotel room, turn off all the lights, close the black out curtains, turn the A/C on full blast, and sleep for a week.”
[Reply]
I love Dr. John Lee’s book! I’ve read it and keep it handy for reference! It’s an ongoing battle.
[Reply]
hmm.. This is interesting. I get confused about the relationship between progesterone and estrogen. I was diagnosed with low estrogen a little over a year ago, and I have like 90% of the symptoms above. It’s been difficult finding info on low estrogen (except for menopausal women, which I am not… I’m in my mid-twenties..), because I think it’s really unusual in this day and age for someone to have low estrogen instead of being estrogen dominant like most people. The test results said that whatever steroid it is that converts into estrogen was really high in my body, but for some reason my body just isn’t converting it like it should, which I attribute to my adrenal issues and my body just being too worn out to do it’s job. But are some of the symptoms for low progesterone the same and for low estrogen? Because I’ve read (and been told by my naturopath) that some of my symptoms like vaginal dryness, painful periods, and low sex drive are due to low estrogen. But then I seem to also have some symptoms of low progesterone (like short luteal phases). I’m confused!
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@Kelsey, Well, when you’re low in estrogen, you’re normally low in progesterone as well – which is why they probably have a lot of the same symptoms. And I tend to think you may be on to something with the adrenal issues since hormone production stems there. Weight should also be considered – if you don’t weigh enough, you may not have enough estrogen.
[Reply]
I’m curious what you ladies would consider low progesterone? Do you go by symptoms or BBT levels, or numbers from the doctors? I know that a progesterone draw at 7 dpo should be at least 5 to show ovulation occured, and at least 10 to sustain pregnancy (some say 15). But what are your own thoughts? How would one decide they do have low progesterone? And what are they shooting for as “good” progesterone?
[Reply]
Dawn Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
@Bethany, I was told with each of my pregnancies (all five– I’ve only had one live birth so far) that my progesterone levels were low, usually right before I miscarried. With my third pregnancy and first live birth in fact, I was told that I was miscarrying because my levels were so low, but that they would put me on prog cream “just in case.” It wound up working for us that time, but the pills I was put on with my next pregnancy didn’t help at all.
I’ve never been tested during my cycle, but was put on Progone B that I was supposed to take from the date of ovulation until the first day of my period, to try and boost things. I never had any kind of … success with that. The next time we decide to try, which won’t be for a couple of years, I want to make sure that I have implemented more natural ways of balancing my progesterone…
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Bethany, I think it depends on what type of doctor you’re working with. With an OB or RE, they’ll do blood testing, though they aren’t always accurate and levels can change day by day. If you work with a naturopath or midwife, they’ll base it off of symptoms.
Personally, I went by my long list of symptoms and the fact that I had just weaned my daughter. (when nursing you have lower progesterone levels)
[Reply]
Low progesterone apparently played a large role in my early losses. I was put on progesterone cream with Ella (which seemed to be effective) but by this pregnancy, didn’t want to do the creams or pills thing, having moved farther into the crunchy realms. Along with making more diet changes, I also dosed myself with Progessence Plus Serum from Young Living Oils, a blend of oils that is meant to boost/balance progesterone. I don’t know if it “worked” but I’m still pregnant, so it didn’t… not… help. lol But going forward, I know I need to make greater changes if I want to have more children to make sure my hormones are exactly what they ought to be! Thanks for the awesomely informative article!
[Reply]
Donielle,
Doyou know if using progesterone cream interfere with trying to get pregnant if you use it after ovulation?
[Reply]
donielle Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@Kelli, Actually, in women with low progesterone, it’s used to sustain a pregnancy. So if you use the cream (from ovulation until menstruation) you continue using it through your first trimester as well, until the placenta takes over for progesterone production.
So, no – the cream will not interfere with pregnancy.
[Reply]
I was actually diagnosed as infertile due to a lack of ovulation…. which I decided on my own was wrong. I’m an herbalist, so I’ve spent the past 7 years intensively studying the herbs used for hormonal balance both because I so desperately wanted to have children… and I think ultimately I was meant to share my journey. At any rate, what I found out on my own once away from the doctors was that I had a progesterone deficiency… I suspect this is a hormonal imbalance that can start in the womb, so it might be interesting to take a look at your mom and grandma if you still can. A big tip off for me, besides the short luteal phase was the brown discharge that occurred in my monthly flow. Ironically, I always thought that was normal because my mother had always had it as well. It’s a big sign that your progesterone is not sufficient to fully flush your uterine lining the month before and your womb is just constantly trying to get rid of left over blood each succeeding month. My mom also had a number of miscarriages and I was the only pregnancy to go full term. What’s great about this little symptom is that as I achieved balance, I could very clearly see a different cycle- one that was red from end to end. After a couple years working with the herbs (and a whole foods diet of course) I had my first child… and then I got pregnant by surprise about 18months afterwards! I believe I can see some symptoms of my chronic low levels returning- though my cycle remains red… so I’m going to have to start back into my routine.
[Reply]
Melanie Reply:
January 22nd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Dawn, that is very interesting information! For the last 6 months my cycle has only been 21 days (it used to be 28 days), I have no idea if I am ovulating, and I spot for days before my period (brown), and sometimes randomly thru the month. I tried Progessence Plus this month, and my cycle was 29 days this time around, but I spotted more than usual, and got horrible cystic acne on my face (not sure if this is related to the Progessence Plus or not?)….and I still don’t know for sure if I ovulated. I think I will begin taking my temperature next month to see if I am ovulating. I have no idea what is going on with me, but clearly something is wrong. I am also hypothyroid, but I thought it was under control since I’m taking Armor Thyroid. (My doctor reduced my dose of Armor Thyroid this month, so not sure if that could play a roll in my cycle?) I am SO confused!!! I would love to hear any ideas anyone may have.
[Reply]
I’ve been using the fertile focus saliva ovulation test and it works great for predicting ovulation! And it’s reusable! I got pregnant quickly while using it but unfortunately miscarried.
http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/saliva-ovulation-test.html
[Reply]