- Progesterone maintains the lining of the uterus which makes it possible for a fertilized egg to attach and survive
- Makes cervical mucous accessible by sperm
- Allows the embryo to survive
- Prevents immune rejection of the developing baby
- Allows for full development of the fetus through pregnancy
- Helps the body use fat for energy during pregnancy
- Prevents secondary sexual development
- Increases libido around ovulation
- Activates osteoblasts to increase new bone formation
- Protects against endometrial, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer
- Normalizes blood clotting
Are You Progesterone Deficient or Estrogen Dominate?
Too much estrogen in the body
One of the main reasons women are progesterone deficient is because they have too much estrogen in the body. Estrogen dominance can happen for many reasons:
- Commercially raised meats and dairy contain large amounts of estrogens, and consuming them can cause hormonal imbalance.
- Pollution and stress mimic estrogen at the estrogen receptor sites.
- Eating a large amount of processed soy products can also mimic estrogen.
- PCOS and endometriosis can also have an estrogen dominate action.
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Symptoms of estrogen dominance: |
Not enough progesterone in the body
There are many signs that may show up in the body if you do not have
enough progesterone in your system during the correct times of your
cycle.
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Symptoms of progesterone deficiency: |
Hormone Testing
Hormones
testing can be diagnosed by a doctor, naturopath or by tests. There are
a couple of test options. Tests range from charting your menstrual and
basal body temperature, finding out the length of your luteal phase,
or taking saliva or blood tests to find out your progesterone levels.
The questionnaire above help to point out signs of progesterone
deficiency while these tests help to confirm it.
BBT Charting
Basil Body Temperature charting can help to determine the availability of progesterone in the luteal phase. You can learn more about BBT Charting here. There will be a slight rise in temperature after ovulation has occurred and progesterone has increased.
Basil Body Temperature charting can help to determine the availability of progesterone in the luteal phase. You can learn more about BBT Charting here. There will be a slight rise in temperature after ovulation has occurred and progesterone has increased.
Length of luteal phase
If the date of ovulation is fewer than 11 days before your period, this could suggest luteal phase defects. You can detect ovulation using BBT charting, ovulation detector strip tests.
If the date of ovulation is fewer than 11 days before your period, this could suggest luteal phase defects. You can detect ovulation using BBT charting, ovulation detector strip tests.
Saliva Hormonal Testing
Dr. John Lee was very adamant that testing for hormones and progesterone should be done through saliva testing, not blood testing (almost all doctors will test the blood).
Dr. John Lee was very adamant that testing for hormones and progesterone should be done through saliva testing, not blood testing (almost all doctors will test the blood).
You can order an “at home” saliva test that you will take at a
certain time during your cycle and then send away to a lab for analysis.
They will then mail back the results so you can find out if you have
any hormonal imbalances. You can order FDA approved home female hormone tests here.
Blood Hormonal Testing
While Dr. Lee was adamant about getting progesterone testing through saliva, it may be more helpful to work with your doctor to get your progesterone tested so they can explain the test results to you, even if it is a blood test. You most likely will also have other hormones tested at the same time which can give you insights to your entire hormonal profile.
While Dr. Lee was adamant about getting progesterone testing through saliva, it may be more helpful to work with your doctor to get your progesterone tested so they can explain the test results to you, even if it is a blood test. You most likely will also have other hormones tested at the same time which can give you insights to your entire hormonal profile.
How to Support Progesterone Levels
1. Reduce your exposure to xenohormones
We have become an estrogen dominate society from all of the excess estrogen in our foods and environment.
Reduce your exposure by avoiding these xenohormone producers:
- Solvents and adhesives
- Meat from conventionally raised livestock (non-organic)
- Car exhaust
- Almost all plastics
- Petrochemically derived pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides
- Emulsifiers found in soaps and cosmetics
- PCD’s from industrial waste
2. Vitex for hormonal balance
Vitex angus castus. Photo by Sten Porse.
Vitex Extract (Chaste Tree Berry)
is one of the most powerful herbs for women’s fertility and menstrual
health. There are numerous studies and testimonials of Vitex and it’s
effects on the body. One of the reasons Vitex is so effective and
popular is because of its ability to balance hormones while not
containing hormones itself. Vitex supports hormonal balance in the body
by having an effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axins
(hormonal feedback loop), correcting the problem at the source.
Directions for use
Capsules: 1,000mg a day is the suggested amount to use. Take vitex all month long.
Capsules: 1,000mg a day is the suggested amount to use. Take vitex all month long.
Tincture: 1/2 teaspoon 2 to 3 times daily in water or juice. All month long.
However, unlike powerful hormone drugs, vitex works slowly to normalize
the body. Maximum benefits are often achieved after 6-12 cycles with
vitex.
3. Use Natural Progesterone Cream
Natural progesterone cream can help to supplement your body’s own
progesterone levels and lead you back to a state of natural balance.
Natural progesterone cream
comes from plant fats and oils called diosgenin which is extracted
either from Mexican Wild Yams or soybeans. In the laboratory diosgenin
is chemically synthesized into a molecular structure that is identical
to real human progesterone.
The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) denotes a recognized standard
of purity and strength. It is sometimes referred to as “human-identical”
or “bio-identical” progesterone, which differentiates it from synthetic
progestins or progestogens.
How to Use Progesterone Cream
Transdermal application (through the skin) has been found to be one of
the most effective ways to use natural progesterone. It is absorbed
through the skin into the underlying fat which helps to slowly allow
progesterone into the blood. This way of application helps the
progesterone to be “time released” into the blood stream. To closely
mimic the body’s progesterone cycle, it is best to use progesterone
cream twice a day.
How to Use Progesterone Cream for Fertility
Natural
progesterone cream is easily and quickly absorbed into the body through
the skin (within seconds). So you can apply it essentially anywhere as
long as you rotate locations of application.
The best areas for application are places that have capillary blood flow such as:
- Face
- Neck
- Upper Chest
- Breasts
- Inner arms
- Palms of hands and feet
When it comes to dosage, more is not better. Too much progesterone can
cause hormonal imbalances, just like too little progesterone can. General suggested dosage is 15-30mg during the two weeks before your period.
Dr. Lee recommends that progesterone use begin directly after ovulation,
which is usually day 12 in our cycles (twelve days after menstruation),
and ending usage once menstruation begins. Once you become pregnant,
stay on the progesterone and contact your healthcare provider. Read
below for pregnancy instructions.
Loading Dose
A loading does is useful for women who have had many months or years of anovulatory (no ovulation) cycles , which can create extreme progesterone deficiency. Each cycle that passes without ovulation can increase estrogen dominance as progesterone stores are depleted. Very thin women who have little body fat can become estrogen dominant very easily as there is no fat to store extra progesterone. In either of these situations Dr. John Lee recommends a higher dose of progesterone the first one to two months of progesterone cream use. This helps to replenish the progesterone stored in the fat of the body. After 2-3 months the dose can be lowered to the usual dosage.
A loading does is useful for women who have had many months or years of anovulatory (no ovulation) cycles , which can create extreme progesterone deficiency. Each cycle that passes without ovulation can increase estrogen dominance as progesterone stores are depleted. Very thin women who have little body fat can become estrogen dominant very easily as there is no fat to store extra progesterone. In either of these situations Dr. John Lee recommends a higher dose of progesterone the first one to two months of progesterone cream use. This helps to replenish the progesterone stored in the fat of the body. After 2-3 months the dose can be lowered to the usual dosage.
Loading dose: 1/2 teaspoon twice a day (40mg a day) for two weeks before to your period
Regular dose: 1/4 teaspoon twice a day (20mg a day) for two weeks before your period
Regular dose: 1/4 teaspoon twice a day (20mg a day) for two weeks before your period
Inducing ovulation using progesterone
Dr. Lee had a number of patients in his practice that had been unable to conceive because they were not ovulating. For two to four months he had them use natural progesterone from days 5 to 26 in the cycle (stopping on day 26 to bring on menstruation).
Dr. Lee had a number of patients in his practice that had been unable to conceive because they were not ovulating. For two to four months he had them use natural progesterone from days 5 to 26 in the cycle (stopping on day 26 to bring on menstruation).
Using the progesterone prior to ovulation effectively suppressed
ovulation. After a few months of this, he had them stop progesterone
use. If you still have follicles left, they seem to respond to a few
months of suppression with enthusiasm — the successful maturation and
release of an egg.
His patients, some of whom had been trying to conceive for years, had very good results conceiving with this method.
Preventing Miscarriage & Progesterone
Low progesterone during pregnancy can be one cause of recurrent miscarriages. Progesterone is responsible for creating a healthy environment in the womb by maintaining the uterine lining. It also reduces the chances of blood clots and the immune system responding to the fetus as if it was a foreign substance. Progesterone is one of the main pregnancy hormones.
Low progesterone during pregnancy can be one cause of recurrent miscarriages. Progesterone is responsible for creating a healthy environment in the womb by maintaining the uterine lining. It also reduces the chances of blood clots and the immune system responding to the fetus as if it was a foreign substance. Progesterone is one of the main pregnancy hormones.
If you feel this might be your situation, talk with your doctor or
healthcare practitioner and get your hormone levels tested before using
progesterone as well as intermittently to make sure your levels are high
enough. Working with a healthcare practitioner is helpful as they can
help to monitor your hormonal levels.
Make sure to have at least two bottles on hand, because running
out could cause a big drop in progesterone which may cause the menstrual
cycle to begin. Contact your doctor or midwife once you become pregnant
so they can monitor your progesterone levels during pregnancy.
Progesterone & PCOS
Progesterone cream can help to oppose the estrogen dominance that occurs with PCOS. By using progesterone cream you are able to mimic a natural cycle and help the body to establish its own cycle, including ovulating, again. Dr. John Lee believed that with progesterone cream, changes to the PCOS specific diet and exercise, PCOS could become obsolete.
Progesterone cream can help to oppose the estrogen dominance that occurs with PCOS. By using progesterone cream you are able to mimic a natural cycle and help the body to establish its own cycle, including ovulating, again. Dr. John Lee believed that with progesterone cream, changes to the PCOS specific diet and exercise, PCOS could become obsolete.
Progesterone Cream & PCOS
How to use progesterone for PCOS
There are two ways to use progesterone cream for PCOS. The first is the Suppression Cycle. To suppress the cycle one would use progesterone cream on cycle days 7-26. If you do not have a menstrual cycle you would choose a date on your calendar and mark it as day 7. Suppressing the cycle allows the body to rest by stopping the cycle of eggs not being released and estrogen/androgen dominance. Dr. John Lee suggests to use 60-100mg of progesterone cream a day during the suppression cycle and to repeat this for 3-4 months for best results.
There are two ways to use progesterone cream for PCOS. The first is the Suppression Cycle. To suppress the cycle one would use progesterone cream on cycle days 7-26. If you do not have a menstrual cycle you would choose a date on your calendar and mark it as day 7. Suppressing the cycle allows the body to rest by stopping the cycle of eggs not being released and estrogen/androgen dominance. Dr. John Lee suggests to use 60-100mg of progesterone cream a day during the suppression cycle and to repeat this for 3-4 months for best results.
Establish a cycle with progesterone cream
To help your body create a cycle including menstruation and ovulationn, use progesterone cream on day 12 of cycle and continue until day 26. By stopping on day 26 your progesterone levels will drop, helping to start your menstrual cycle. If your cycle does not start, just treat your cycle like you are having one and start again on day 12. It is best to use a calendar so you can keep track of everything. After 3 or so months it is suggested to take a break for 1 month so you can see if your cycle has jump started itself.
To help your body create a cycle including menstruation and ovulationn, use progesterone cream on day 12 of cycle and continue until day 26. By stopping on day 26 your progesterone levels will drop, helping to start your menstrual cycle. If your cycle does not start, just treat your cycle like you are having one and start again on day 12. It is best to use a calendar so you can keep track of everything. After 3 or so months it is suggested to take a break for 1 month so you can see if your cycle has jump started itself.
Progesterone Cream & Endometriosis
Progesterone & Endometriosis
If you have endometriosis, Dr. John Lee recommends using progesterone from days 8 to 26 of your cycle, to reduce the effects of estrogen on the body (estrogen stimulates endometrial growth). Take a short week off to refresh your receptor sites. He has had success with this controlling symptoms within six months. Once the outbreaks of endometriosis are tolerable reduce the usage to days 12 till menstrual cycle.
If you have endometriosis, Dr. John Lee recommends using progesterone from days 8 to 26 of your cycle, to reduce the effects of estrogen on the body (estrogen stimulates endometrial growth). Take a short week off to refresh your receptor sites. He has had success with this controlling symptoms within six months. Once the outbreaks of endometriosis are tolerable reduce the usage to days 12 till menstrual cycle.
Progesterone Use During Pregnancy
Progesterone Use During Pregnancy
Natural progesterone is safe to use during pregnancy with the consent of your doctor or midwife and may likely prevent many first trimester miscarriages that are due to low progesterone but should be used with caution when nursing as it may stop lactation.
Natural progesterone is safe to use during pregnancy with the consent of your doctor or midwife and may likely prevent many first trimester miscarriages that are due to low progesterone but should be used with caution when nursing as it may stop lactation.
In the first trimester of pregnancy progesterone production is the
sole responsibility of the ovaries, but they often fail to produce
sufficient levels to maintain the pregnancy. By the second trimester,
the placenta itself is responsible for producing progesterone, and it
hikes the level of this hormone to 486% higher than the non-pregnant
norm.
If you are taking progesterone and get pregnant, you must continue
taking progesterone until at least the 16th week. I personally would not
stop if I had seriously low levels to begin with. But it is best to
work with your health care practitioner if this is the case. They will
continuously monitor your levels to make sure they are healthy for
pregnancy.
Summary
Healthy progesterone levels are important during conception and
pregnancy. You can find out if your levels are where they should be by
getting tested. If you do find your levels are low there are many
natural ways to promote healthy progesterone levels such as:
1. Reducing Xenohormones
2. Using Vitex
3. Applying progesterone cream
2. Using Vitex
3. Applying progesterone cream
If you become pregnant, continue to use the cream and consult with your doctor or midwife right away.
Progesterone Q&A
Progesterone Q&A
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