Having optimal levels of progesterone is crucial for women, particularly for those who are trying to conceive. Continue reading to learn about the impact of progesterone on fertility, pregnancy, and general well-being.
Even though it is commonly referred to as the ‘pregnancy hormone’, progesterone has important functions not just during pregnancy, but also before and after. Estrogen and progesterone are key female sex hormones that need to be in a precise balance for optimal health.
Regrettably, many providers in traditional healthcare settings do not prioritize its significance adequately. Your doctor may have tested your progesterone levels during a hormone panel or if you requested it. Those who undergo Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures, like in-vitro fertilization (IVF), have their levels monitored frequently to ensure the pregnancy advances seamlessly.
However, it appears that greater focus should be given to this important hormone. In an ideal world, additional doctors would emphasize the significance of it for your health and particularly your pregnancy experience as it is significant!
If you are a woman looking to enhance your metabolism, enhance your hormonal health, and boost your fertility – especially if you are looking to get pregnant – progesterone pills are important to consider.
Let’s explore progesterone in more depth! What is it, and what is the process of producing it?
From a chemical perspective, progesterone is a steroid hormone that is typically synthesized by the body, predominantly in the ovaries but also in small quantities in the adrenal glands and by the placenta during pregnancy. Men do create low levels of progesterone in their testicles.
Nevertheless, in women, this hormone serves more significant functions and typically varies in levels during the menstrual cycle. Natural progesterone is distinct from progestin, the synthetic version used in hormonal contraception.
In every cycle, an ovary releases an egg from a mature follicle (ovulation), leaving behind the corpus luteum that starts producing progesterone. Levels rise and reach a peak approximately 5-9 days after ovulation. Without ovulation occurring in every cycle, it is not possible to generate adequate amounts of this crucial hormone.
When a man’s sperm joins with the egg, it creates an embryo that attaches to the uterus’s inner lining and develops into a fetus. Next, the placenta develops to supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients by the 10th week of gestation. The placenta starts producing progesterone until the baby is born.
If the egg doesn’t get fertilized, implantation won’t happen, the placenta won’t form, and the corpus luteum will degenerate. This causes a sudden decrease in progesterone levels, leading to the shedding of the thickened uterine lining during menstrual bleeding, signaling the beginning of a new monthly cycle.
Progesterone is crucial for important roles both before and during pregnancy, as well as in everyday life.
Here Are The Amazing Benefits Of Progesterone
Supporting a healthy metabolism
Progesterone aids in metabolism, thus assisting the body in efficiently generating, controlling, and using energy.
First and foremost, the thyroid needs to function properly. Decreased progesterone levels may elevate Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG), limiting the access of thyroid hormone for bodily functions.
Progesterone, especially when in a proper balance with estrogen, is essential for regulating insulin levels and managing blood sugar effectively.
Enhancing mental well-being
Progesterone is a hormone that naturally calms and soothes both the body and the mind. It is considered a neurosteroid, which indicates that it boosts regular brain functions and aids in the operation of the nervous system!
This incredible hormone plays a vital role in boosting mood and mental well-being by reducing anxiety, enhancing stress tolerance, and promoting better sleep.
Generating adequate progesterone levels also helps in avoiding severe PMS symptoms such as mood changes, sleep problems, and nervousness.
Increased progesterone levels confirm ovulation and therefore, fertility
Recognizing your ovulation timing is crucial as it indicates your fertility status! Many believe that accurately identifying ovulation is only beneficial when attempting to get pregnant. Nonetheless, it is also useful for avoiding pregnancy by knowing when to abstain or use a barrier method for protection.
Either way, for your overall health you need to ovulate regularly to produce enough progesterone.
During the follicular phase and leading up to ovulation, your progesterone levels stay fairly low. Afterward, there is a sudden surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) released by your body, leading to the rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg for fertilization. The corpus luteum generates progesterone, leading to elevated levels of the hormone.
Some methods used by women to determine ovulation may not always be precise. A popular method is to use a period-tracking app that predicts ovulation approximately midway through the cycle, but this may not apply to every woman.
An alternative method involves using ovulation-predictor kits (OPKs) that identify the LH surge preceding ovulation. Nonetheless, it is conceivable to experience an LH surge without actually releasing an egg. Certain women may experience slight symptoms during ovulation, however, these may be attributed to other causes and do not definitively indicate ovulation.
Also, just a heads up: When you’re using hormonal birth control, you won’t ovulate and won’t experience your menstrual cycle. The bleeding you are going through is caused by a lack of hormones, not an actual menstrual period.
Maintaining strong bones
Progesterone boosts bone formation by activating osteoblasts, which are responsible for producing new bone. It has a significant role in the prevention of osteoporosis, both before and after menopause.
It is thought that osteoporosis is caused by decreased estrogen levels in menopause, however, the importance of progesterone in bone health is often underestimated.
This is a reason why having normal ovulatory cycles during your reproductive years is crucial. Every month or so, the hormone “deposits” you make will gradually increase your hormone reserves for use during menopause when hormone production drastically declines.
To maintain a healthy bone density now and have strong, healthy bones for life, it is important to keep a proper balance of progesterone and estrogen hormones. (And don’t forget strength training as well!)
