Hormones Are Hurting Your Fertility
Women trying to get pregnant will agree there are many factors affecting success. Thereís no wonder 10% of women encounter infertility. Hormones are a crucial factor when deciding to get pregnant. Progesterone is a hormone often overlooked in the equation.
The uterus’ unsung hero
While people often focus on estrogen as the fertility hormone, progesterone is as important to fertility. Progesterone is a female hormone critical for a healthy body and reproductive system. Created in the ovaries, progesterone’s primary job is to keep the uterine lining thick during pregnancy. If a fertilized egg is present, the ovaries produce progesterone to keep the egg secure in the uterus. Without an egg, progesterone drops, starting menstruation. Traces exist in men as well to help with producing testosterone.
Progesterone keeps you balanced
Low amounts contribute to miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. Remember, the uterus must be thick enough to carry the fetus to full-term. Progesterone also keeps estrogen in check. A healthy balance is important for reproductive health. Low levels cause an estrogen imbalance, which can stop ovulation completely and cause infertility. A deficiency could be the reason for a host of life-threatening conditions. With help from a health professional, use these 4 strategies to raise progesterone.
1. Supplementation options
Doctors can put together a direct approach to rising progesterone levels. Women may go through a regimen of injected, vaginal or oral doses of progestin. This is helpful if in vitro fertilization (IVF) is in the cards. A proper assessment helps doctors determine the degree of supplementation needed.
2. Improving levels through diet
Being overweight is linked to infertility as weight gain creates more estrogen. This disrupts other hormones like progesterone. People could feel a temptation to jump into the latest diet to correct the problem. But without proper guidance, diets can do even more harm. A proper diet increases progesterone while reducing the overproduction of estrogen. As progesterone also encourages weight loss, reducing weight will increase the hormone.
3. Vitamins can make the difference
Despite a diet change, doctors may suggest more help to increase hormone levels. Vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, B6, B9, and E increase progesterone to varying degrees. Vitamin C and selenium also positively impact progesterone production. Expect to go on a simple but effective vitamin regimen. Take a daily multivitamin, B-complex, and other supplements at the advice of a healthcare provider to naturally increase the hormone.
4. Life-changing steps to increased progesterone
Sometimes the problem could be as simple as reviewing and fixing habits impacting fertility. Stress can cause hormone imbalances. Chemicals at work or home may be decreasing progesterone. Habits like alcohol consumption, smoking, or opioid dependency are just as impactful. The byproducts of popular processed and packaged foods have compounds that mimic estrogen. Even everyday products like plastics contain estrogenic properties, placing hormones out of sync. A complete overhaul can change progesterone levels for the better.
Get help to get some balance
Hormones change with age, lifestyle, and environment. Progesterone is no different. Women looking to get pregnant miss out on a big opportunity to improve pregnancy. An assessment by a fertility clinic or specialist can spot imbalances. From there, expect one or more of these strategies to increase progesterone and improve fertility.
