How to increase the level of progesterone?

Progesterone is extremely important for the female body. But what if it is not enough? How to increase the level of progesterone?

The main amount of progesterone is synthesized in the female body with the help of the yellow body of the ovaries. The hormone is responsible for the formation of secondary sexual characteristics, the development of reproductive organs, activates the growth of the skeletal system, regulates the deposition of subcutaneous fat, supports the phases of the monthly cycle.

There are many effective ways to solve this problem, which we will now consider.

[1], [2]

Symptoms of a decreased level of progesterone in women

Progesterone deficiency usually manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

• Insufficiency of the ovulatory phase of the monthly cycle (anovulation, diszovulation);
• decrease in the secretory function of the yellow body;
• chronic inflammatory process of reproductive organs;
• disorders of menstrual function (amenorrhea, algodismenorea, oligomenorrhea);
• tense, painful chest;
• uterine anovulatory hemorrhages;
• endocrine form of infertility;
• irritability, tearfulness, a sharp change in emotional state.

However, despite the presence of symptoms, the status of the level of progesterone can be reliably known only by passing a blood test. Blood is usually given for 22-26 days from the beginning of the monthly cycle, depending on its duration (or a week before the first day of menstruation). Before giving the test, you should not eat or drink, so blood is usually taken in the morning.

Normal progesterone levels are as follows:

• during the follicular phase - 0.2-1.5 ng / ml;
• during the ovulatory phase - 0.8-3.0 ng / ml;
• during the luteal phase - 1,7-27,0 ng / ml;
• at a postmenopause - 0,1-0,8 ng / ml.

Indicators of the norm may vary depending on the characteristics of the particular laboratory where the analysis is submitted, therefore it is recommended to evaluate the results not independently, but at the reception of a specialist.

Symptoms of a low level of progesterone in pregnancy

In pregnancy, there may also be a deficit of progesterone. This can be expressed in the following signs:

• threatening spontaneous abortion;
• pregnancy fading, delay in embryo development;
• aching pain in the lower abdomen;
• uterine hypertension;
• vaginal discharge (from minor to severe);
• symptoms of detachment of the fetal egg or placenta.

When the first signs of a lack of progesterone appear, pregnancy can still be maintained by taking appropriate measures in a timely manner. To do this, it is necessary to pass an analysis confirming the low level of the hormone.

In pregnancy:

• in the first trimester - 11,2-90,0 ng / ml;
• in the second trimester - 25,6-89,4 ng / ml;
• in the third trimester - 48,4-422,5.

Analyzing is best done in dynamics, several times to track the degree of increase or decrease in the level of the hormone. After this, a certain corrective treatment is prescribed.

The lowered level of 17 OH progesterone

Hydroxyprogesterone-17 (17 OH progesterone) is confused with the main progesterone, although these are completely different indicators. 17 OH progesterone is not exactly a hormone, it is only the precursor of estradiol, cortisol and testosterone. In hormones, it can be transformed under the influence of a specific enzymatic substance of lyase 17-20.

However, this "nedohormon" plays an important role in the female body.

The amount of 17 OH of progesterone can change even within one day: most of all in the morning, least of all - at night. The maximum level can be detected immediately before the ovulatory phase. The average indicators are as follows:

• during the luteal phase - 0.99-11.51 nm / l;
• during the follicular phase - 1,24-8,24 nm / l;
• during the ovulatory phase - 0,91-4,24 nm / l;
• I trimester - 3,55-17,03 nm / l;
• II trimester - 3,55-20,0 nm / l;
• III trimester - 3.75-33.35 nm / l;
• at a climacteric - 0,39-1,55 nm / l.

Prolonged deficiency of 17 OH progesterone in the body can cause adrenal hypoplasia and is accompanied by a violation of the synthesis of the remaining hormones - testosterone, estradiol and cortisol. Imbalance in the level of 17 OH of progesterone may be a sign of the pathology of the adrenal glands and appendages, which, in turn, may affect the reproductive function of the woman.

Analysis of the level of 17 OH progesterone is carried out by the method of enzyme immunoassay studies.

Drugs that increase the level of progesterone

Modern medicine has a large number of progesterone preparations. All of them to one or another degree pursue one goal - conducting substitution therapy with a lack of a hormone in the body. Which of the drugs are more effective and are used by specialists more often than others?

• Progesterone is natural (1 ml contains 10 or 25 mg of active progesterone). Before use, the ampoule is heated slightly (to dilute the oil solution), the drug is administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. With dysfunction of the ovaries, the drug is used for a week for 5-15 mg every day. With amenorrhea - 5 mg daily, or 10 mg every other day. In the prevention of miscarriage, with insufficient functionality of the yellow body appoint 10-25 mg every day until the elimination of the danger of abortion. In cases of previous abortions in the history of the drug is used up to 4 months of pregnancy. After 36 weeks of gestation, the use of the drug is unacceptable.
• Morning (1 capsule consists of 100 or 200 mg of micronized progesterone). In most cases, the average daily dosage is 200 to 300 mg in one or two doses (morning and night). The drug can be used both inward and intravaginal administration.
• Duphaston (synthetic analogue of natural progesterone). When a threat of miscarriage is used, 10 mg every eight hours for 8 days. Infertility - 10 mg twice a day, from 11 to 25 days of the monthly cycle; if the pregnancy has occurred, the treatment is continued in the same dosage until the twentieth week. With irregularities or lack of menstruation, with PMS treatment duration can last up to six months.
• Krinon gel (contains 90 mg of progesterone). Vaginal, one administration of the drug provides a controlled and continuous exposure to progesterone for three days. Typically, use the daily evening administration of the drug from 18 to 21 days of the monthly cycle, or during the first month of pregnancy.
• Inzheta (hydroxyprogesterone). Intramuscular drug, which is used for 0.5-1 ml of 1% solution daily.
• Endometrin (vaginal tablet contains 100 mg of progesterone). Intravaginally administered from two to three tablets per day, you can apply up to the 12th week of gestation. The tablet is inserted into the vagina with the help of a convenient applicator, which is included in the kit.

Despite the fact that you can buy a progesterone drug in a pharmacy without a prescription, independent use of medicines without consulting a doctor is unacceptable.

[3], [4], [5], [6]

How to increase the level of progesterone by alternative means?

For natural increase in the level of progesterone, the use of plants with a progestogenic effect on the organism is suitable.

• A tablespoon of plantain seed and 2 tablespoons herb cuffs are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water. Accepted by Art. Spoon three times a day.
• Fill 0.5 liters of boiling water with 5 tablespoons of ground fruit. We insist and drink like tea.
• Wild yam and crimson leaves are taken in equal quantities. Brew as regular tea and drink during the day.
• 100 g of red brushes pour 1 liter of good vodka. We insist in a dark place for 1 month, sometimes mixing the contents. Use tincture before meals three times a day for 40 drops, you can dilute a small amount of water.

Progestogen medicinal plants are used in the second half of the monthly cycle (after ovulation), making an obligatory break in the period of menstrual bleeding.

It is not allowed to use these herbs simultaneously with mint, licorice, red clover, as these plants have the opposite effect.

To increase the level of the hormone, add some spices to the dishes: turmeric, thyme, oregano, curry mixture. So it is unobtrusive with the help of seasonings that you can maintain the necessary level of progesterone.

Products that increase the level of progesterone

In order to balance the hormonal background in the body, you should eat right. Rational nutrition consists in the necessary ratio of the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate food, sufficient fluid intake, refusal to drink alcohol and foods rich in carcinogens and preservatives.

There are also specific products that can positively affect the level of progesterone:

• beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, etc .;
• nut (cedar, greek, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, peanuts);
• milk products (whole milk, fermented milk products, cottage cheese, hard cheese, brynza, Adyghe);
• lean meat (chicken fillet, turkey, young veal, rabbit), as well as liver;
• chicken and quail eggs (mostly yolk);
• oatmeal, whole-grain cereals, flax seed;
• avocado, raspberry, black and green olives.

By themselves, the products, of course, do not contain the hormone. They are simply able to stimulate the production of their own progesterone in the body. For the most part, to activate the synthesis of the necessary hormone, cholesterol is needed first. Therefore, it is so important to eat meat and egg dishes, as well as sources of vitamins E and P: fruits, potatoes, dog rose, fish.

Try not to buy or consume products sealed in plastic packaging: according to research, such containers promote the penetration into the food of xenoestrogens that suppress the synthesis of progesterone. Plastic containers are manufactured using bisphenol-monomer for the production of polycarbonate plastic. This substance accumulates in the body, subsequently causing an estrogen-like effect, causing infertility, disruption of the cycle of menstruation, endometriosis.

In order to protect yourself from the negative effects of bisphenol, do not heat food in a microwave oven using a plastic container (especially marked with the number 7 on the bottom). Instead of plastic utensils use glass, ceramic or steel.

How to increase the level of progesterone? Avoid stress, excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress on the body, adhere to a healthy lifestyle and get more positive emotions, and then a stable hormonal background is provided to you.