Natural Methods to Increase Progesterone Level

Introduction:

Progesterone is a hormone that is present both in women and men, but it plays a major role in women, like in cases of menopause and pregnancy, and improves overall well-being. There should be an increased level of progesterone for women to get pregnant. A low progesterone level can result in miscarriage or infertility, bleeding from the uterus or abnormal periods, spotting, etc. Progesterone is available in synthetic forms, but they have an increased chance of causing breast cancer. It is better to use natural progesterone, which has many benefits. Lifestyle change can help in the increased production of progesterone.

What Are the Benefits of Natural Progesterone?

The benefit of natural progesterone include the following:

• It helps in protecting the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium.

• Natural progesterone helps in preventing cancers that occur in the uterus.

• It helps in maintaining the level of good cholesterol, also called HDL or high-density lipoprotein.

• Natural progesterone helps in decreasing the symptoms of menopause, like mood swings and fatigue.

• It helps in decreasing the side effects of synthetic hormones.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Progesterone Levels?

When there is a low progesterone level in the body, it will affect the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The following symptoms are seen when there is a low progesterone level in the body:

• Irregular menstrual cycle.

• Abortion or miscarriage.

• Infertility.

• Cramping or spotting during pregnancy.

What Are the Sources of Natural Progesterone?

There are many natural sources of progesterone. Soya beans and yams have a high level of progesterone, which is chemically similar or bio-identical to the progesterone produced by the body. Some of the naturally occurring sources of progesterone are available in the form of the following:

• Creams - Natural progesterones are available in various cream forms. The body will absorb the cream, and it will then enter the bloodstream. Applying this natural progesterone cream twice daily on the arms, stomach, thighs, or wrist is advised. Before applying progesterone cream, a patch test is advised to find any allergic reactions like swelling, redness, or itching.

• Pills - Natural progesterone is also available in various forms, but the liver breaks down these pills quickly, and there will be less availability of progesterone in the bloodstream. So the quantity of pills taken is greater than the cream. It is also available in progesterone suppositories, inserted directly into the vagina. It will help increase the uterus's healthy tissues and enhance pregnancy chances.

• Food Supplements - Some food items like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, nuts, spinach, beans, pumpkin, and whole grains help produce progesterone in the body. There are some food items like bananas, shellfish, cabbage, and walnuts, which help reduce the estrogen level in the body, which will help improve the ratio of progesterone compared with estrogen. Including these food items in the diet will help increase the natural progesterone level.

• Maintaining Body Weight - Other than natural treatment for increasing progesterone levels, various aspects can also help increase the body's progesterone level. Maintaining a healthy and good body weight helps increase the progesterone level. Increasing weight results in increased production of estrogen in the body. It will result in an imbalance in the ratio between progesterone and estrogen. So maintaining a healthy diet and body weight will help balance the hormones present in the body and have an increased chance of improving the progesterone level.

• Stress Reduction - Increased stress can trigger the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. The stress hormones can result in the conversion of progesterone to cortisol with the help of the kidneys. Stress can be reduced by yoga, meditation, listening to music, reading, or doing various activities which are enjoyable and relaxing.

• Reduce Over-Exercise - Physical exercise helps in reducing weight and can also help in decreasing stress levels. But over-exercising can result in the opposite effect by increasing the production of stress hormones. This will create decreased availability of progesterone.

• Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 helps balance the hormone level in the body by maintaining liver function. Chickpeas, spinach, tuna, dried fruit, potatoes, spinach, and red meat are rich in vitamin B6.

• Zinc - Zinc helps during pregnancy and plays a major role in infertility. Zinc helps increase the production of follicles stimulating hormone (FSH), which results in ovulation and can help produce progesterone. Cashews, chickpeas, almonds, shellfish, seafood, pumpkin, and kidney beans contain a high amount of zinc.

• Regular Sleep - Reduced sleep can cause an increase in the level of stress, which will result in an imbalance in the level of progesterone. Seven to nine hours of sleep is needed to completely relax the body and mind. It will help in reducing hormonal imbalance.

• Herbal Supplements - Some herbal supplements like chaste berry and primrose oil can help increase the progesterone level in the body.

• Fiber - Consuming a fiber-rich diet helps decrease estrogen levels, thereby increasing progesterone levels in the body. Certain food items are rich in estrogen. When they are present for a longer period in the digestive system, they will absorb more estrogen. Consuming a fiber-rich diet helps in improving bowel movement, which helps in reducing the time food takes to get digested in the digestive system and gives it less time to absorb estrogen. Oats, quinoa, and flaxseed are rich in fiber content.

• Magnesium - Magnesium helps regulate hormones and increases the level of progesterone. It regulates the pituitary gland and produces the follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, thereby increasing progesterone production. Spinach, dark chocolate, fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are rich in magnesium.

• Vitamin C - Vitamin C has an increased level of progesterone. Broccoli, orange, kiwi, kale, and yellow peppers are rich in vitamin C.

• L-Arginine - The amino acid L-Arginine helps boost progesterone levels, which is found in protein-rich food and helps to produce nitric acid, which also helps improve blood circulation throughout the body. Increasing blood circulation will help produce progesterone from the corpus luteum during ovulation. Lentils, chicken, salmon, pork, pumpkin seeds, and lean beef are rich in the amino acid L-Arginine.

Conclusion:

Natural progesterone helps increase the chance of fertility and reduces the symptoms associated with menopause. Synthetic progesterone can cause breast tenderness, depression, and headache. Natural progesterone has fewer side effects compared to synthetic progesterone. Decreased progesterone level does not necessarily mean a woman is in bad or poor health. Various causes can result in low progesterone levels. Aging is also one of the reasons for low progesterone levels in females.