What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a key hormone that plays an important role in the female reproductive system and pregnancy. Some key things to know about progesterone:
- Progesterone is a sex hormone produced mainly by the ovaries in women and the adrenal glands in men. It is crucial for regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy in women.
- Progesterone helps prepare the body for pregnancy. It thickens the lining of the uterus to support a fertilized egg. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy in the early stages before the placenta forms.
- Progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Levels rise after ovulation, preparing for potential pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels drop, triggering menstruation. Abnormally high or low levels can lead to menstrual issues.
- Progesterone has other functions like maintaining bone density, regulating mood, influencing metabolism and more. It often works together with estrogen to properly balance hormones.
- Supplements can provide extra progesterone. At Hormone Harmony Clinic(increase-testosterone.com), we offer progesterone therapy, testing, and monitoring to help regulate cycles, enable fertility, prevent miscarriage, ease menopause symptoms, and more based on your needs.
Now let's go into some more detail on this important reproductive hormone:
Where does progesterone come from?
During the menstrual cycle, progesterone production happens mainly in the ovaries. Cells in the ovaries called the corpus luteum are responsible for releasing progesterone. The corpus luteum forms after ovulation, when an egg follicle ruptures to release the egg. If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum continues producing progesterone to support early pregnancy until the placenta forms.
In both men and women, smaller amounts of progesterone are also produced by the adrenal glands and in certain parts of the brain.
What causes high or low progesterone?
Imbalanced progesterone levels are often tied to conditions impacting ovulation and hormone regulation:
- Conditions causing lack of ovulation (anovulation) like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pituitary tumors, excessive exercise training and eating disorders can lead to chronically low progesterone. Lack of periods is also a sign progesterone may be too low.
- Perimenopause and menopause cause declining progesterone levels as ovulation becomes less frequent. This contributes to unstable cycles, hot flashes and other symptoms.
- On the other hand, some ovarian, adrenal or endocrine tumors may ramp up excessive progesterone production, leading to high levels.
- Temporary progesterone drops or spikes can also occur due to major stressors, thyroid dysfunction or rapid weight changes.
If you suspect imbalanced progesterone, symptoms like severe PMS, ovulation pain, spotting, irregular cycles, infertility, menopause effects or fatigue may prompt testing and evaluation with a doctor. This can identify any underlying causes.
How can progesterone therapy help balance hormones?
If needed, progesterone therapy provides the body extra hormone to correct high or low levels. Reasons your healthcare provider may recommend progesterone therapy include:
- Regulating irregular menstrual cycles - Supplemental progesterone for 10-14 days of the cycle can trigger regular menstruation and shedding of the uterus lining in women struggling with long, absent or irregular periods. This also provides symptom relief.
- Enabling fertility - In women with ovulation issues or thin uterine lining preventing embryo implantation, progesterone supplements often improve fertility outcomes.
- Preventing miscarriage - Progesterone is crucial for establishing and maintaining pregnancy. Extra progesterone early in pregnancy may help some women at high risk of miscarriage carry successfully to term.
- Easing perimenopause or menopause symptoms - Declining progesterone contributes to unstable cycles, hot flashes and sleep trouble characteristic of menopause transition and postmenopause. Low-dose progesterone therapy could provide relief.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic, our doctors specialize in precision hormone testing and completely customized progesterone and hormone therapy programs based on your unique needs. (increase-testosterone.com) to learn more and schedule your consultation! We're here to help you regain cycle regularity, fertility and optimal hormonal health.