Getting pregnant can be complicated. Besides timing intercourse perfectly, both partners need to be healthy and have normal hormone levels.
Progesterone is one of the primary female reproductive hormones. It is produced by the corpus luteum, which develops immediately after ovulation. Every hormone has a function and progesterone is no exception. It thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for the implantation of the fertilized egg. It works by increasing the nutrition and blood supply to the uterine lining.
The progesterone released by the corpus luteum helps to build up your endometrium so that is ready for implantation of a fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, the progesterone levels begin to drop off, causing the endometrial lining to shed in the form of your menstrual period.
You might need progesterone supplementation if you have:
* luteal phase disorders * amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) * oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycles) * anovulation (no ovulation)
Progesterone testing
Progesterone levels rapidly rise from 2-3 mg/day to an average of 22-25 mg. per day, peaking as high as 30 mg/day. If fertilization does not occur in ten or twelve days, progesterone levels fall dramatically.
Checking progesterone levels is a reliable way to determine whether a woman has ovulated. In most labs, a level above 2.5 ng/mL indicates that ovulation has taken place. Progesterone levels vary throughout the month, so it can be difficult to accurately tell if a woman's progesterone level is low.
Progesterone supplementation
This fertility drug can be administered orally, through injection, or through vaginal gels and suppositories. Even if you have a normal progesterone level, during treatment with fertility drugs, doctors may use medication to prevent premature ovulation. Side effects may include nausea, constipation, headache, drowsiness, breast tenderness, and joint discomfort.
Natural treatment methods include natural progesterone cream, vitamin B6, E, magnesium, and evening primrose oil, vitex agnuscastus (man jing zi, chasteberry), reducing stress, less exercise, and increasing low body weight.
