What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays a vital role in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy. It is produced mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovary during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Some key facts about progesterone:
- It helps prepare the uterine lining for possible pregnancy after ovulation by thickening and nourishing it. This makes the uterus ready to host a fertilized egg.
- It helps maintain pregnancy in the early stages by preserving the uterine lining and preventing early miscarriage.
- It works together with estrogen during the menstrual cycle. There needs to be a balance between estrogen and progesterone for regular cycles.
- Progesterone levels rise after ovulation, stay elevated during the luteal phase, and then drop before the next period starts if no pregnancy occurs.
- Low progesterone can lead to irregular periods, infertility, and problems sustaining a pregnancy.
- Progesterone-only birth control methods like the mini-pill, implant, or IUD release synthetic progesterone to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.
Some common reasons doctors may prescribe progesterone supplements are:
- To support pregnancy, especially in women who have had previous miscarriages
- To regulate cycles and help women ovulate who are struggling with infertility
- To alleviate severe PMS symptoms or irregular bleeding
- As part of hormone therapy for menopause
If you suspect you may have a progesterone deficiency, visit Harmony Hormone Clinic for cutting-edge testing and personalized treatment plans. Our compassionate doctors can help diagnose the root cause of irregular cycles, infertility, and hormone imbalance. We offer progesterone testing, supplements, bioidentical hormones, and lifestyle advice to help regulate cycles naturally. Contact us today to take control of your hormonal health!