Progesterone Low in Women

It is possible to affirm with certainty that nobody goes through as many changes as a woman. These transformations, which start in childhood and go through all adult life, are natural and common to all, but that does not mean that a woman does not feel all the effects that they provide.

Since the beginning of ovulation with menstruation , through pregnancy and menopause , there are several real hormone storms that the body receives. But during all these comings and goings, some problems can occur, such as the low progesterone in women , for example.

Explaining why this is not a simple task and exactly why we are going to talk in detail about each aspect that involves this phenomenon and indicate which are the best treatments for it. But first of all, do you know what progesterone is?

What is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and is present throughout the menstrual cycle , being released in the second phase of the cycle, that is, between 14 and 15 days after menstruation.

This hormone is very important in the woman’s pregnancy process , being responsible for preparing the endometrium for a possible pregnancy. When fertilization does not occur, the progesterone level drops and the body starts the menstruation process, beginning a new cycle. Otherwise, the level of progesterone increases to protect the uterus during pregnancy.

What are the Normal Progesterone Levels?

First of all it is necessary to understand that throughout the menstrual cycle the level of progesterone varies, being lower in the first phase of the cycle and higher in the second phase, so when analyzing the levels it is necessary to take into account the moment of the cycle menstrual. Knowing this, normal progesterone levels are:

  • Up to 1 ng / ml at the beginning of the period
  • Less than 10 ng / ml before ovulation
  • More than 10 ng / ml after ovulation

Progesterone in Pregnancy

As we said earlier, during pregnancy the levels of progesterone in the woman’s body are higher, reaching up to 90 ng / ml in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

Its main function throughout this period is precisely to protect the uterus, and help in the development of the embryo, preventing spontaneous abortions , that is, when there is a low progesterone in the woman at the beginning of pregnancy, there are greater risks of an abortion . Changes in mood in pregnant women and early nausea are also caused by progesterone.

Progesterone Test

The test to measure the level of progesterone in women is measured through blood tests. It is usually done during prenatal care to measure the increase in the level of this hormone, but it may be necessary to perform this test at other times in the woman’s life.

As in cases where there are difficulties to get pregnant, thus checking if the body is producing ideal levels of progesterone and if the woman has any infertility problem and also in cases of irregular menstruation , to find out the cause of the problem.

Since progesterone levels vary widely, it may be necessary to perform the test more than once on the same day or for a few days. To perform the test it is always important to inform the doctor if you are taking any contraceptive pill . Many of them contain progesterone, which can alter the test result.

Problems with Low Progesterone in Women

After performing the blood test, the result may indicate that the hormone levels are normal or that you have high progesterone or low progesterone. We will explain in more detail what these results may indicate and their possible problems.

High progesterone

When the test result points to high progesterone it may be a good indication for women who want to become pregnant, but when the result exceeds normal levels it is necessary to be attentive, especially if there is no pregnancy.

High progesterone can indicate ovarian cysts , abnormal hormone production by the adrenal glands, ovarian cancer and also menopause. Some of the symptoms that some women may experience due to the increase in this hormone are:

  • Excessive tiredness and weakness;
  • Fluid retention and swelling;
  • Increased appetite.

Low Progesterone

In some cases, tests may also show a low progesterone drop in women, which can be extremely negative during childbearing years, as this is one of the main hormones for pregnancy to occur and to continue.

When these levels are low during pregnancy the chances of an abortion are greater. This result may be linked not only to infertility, but also to the irregular menstrual cycle, stress and even inadequate nutrition . Symptoms that some women may experience are:

  • Loss of libido;
  • Irregular menstruation;
  • Mood swings and weight gain.

That is, low levels of progesterone may indicate infertility, but it is necessary to repeat the tests for a few days to verify that the levels really remain low. In addition, in some cases it is possible to reverse this result.

For those who are looking to get pregnant this news is not good, but it is necessary to remain calm and seek a doctor to start treatment. As we have seen stress is one of the possible causes for the low level of the hormone, so it is very important to control anxiety at this time.

Progesterone Low Treatment

To treat low progesterone in women seeking to conceive or regulate the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to seek an endocrinologist who will analyze each case individually.

The most suitable means for progesterone replacement is hormonal therapy , which can be done through the use of oral medications , vaginal or topical gels or creams and even with the use of vaginal rings.

In addition, it is necessary to reconcile this treatment with the control of emotions. Stress can also be a major enemy for your progesterone level to increase. It is necessary to relieve stress and anxiety. Try to do physical activities, or relaxing activities like yoga.

Foods That Help Increase Progesterone

In addition, it is still necessary to take care of food, often the problem of low progesterone is linked to a lack of nutrients and a poor diet. In that case, vegetables and fruits must be replaced. Search for organic food and leave aside industrialized foods such as canned and sausages.

As you can see, progesterone is a type of hormone that a woman will need to deal with in practically every stage of her life, whether because of her sex life, whether because of weight gain or loss or simply because of her health. .

It is something that is part of everyone’s life and that is why it is so important to always keep the exams up to date to check if there is a problem with high or low progesterone in women.
Remember that there are always ways to treat and solve problems caused by this, so do not despair if it is happening to you. Always follow medical guidelines and do the treatment correctly. In time, everything will work out and you will be totally healthy.

See also: Coffee Bean Menstruation – What is it?

Website | + posts

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts