Progesterone

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced in the ovaries, to a lesser extent in the adrenal gland and the placenta during pregnancy. This hormone affects the ability of a woman to become and stay pregnant. Progesterone helps prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. Progesterone levels start climbing during ovulation, increase during the days after ovulation and slowly decrease before the menstrual period. Rising progesterone levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle increase the body temperature on average by 0.3–0.5 °C. Progesterone synthesis and secretion from the corpus luteum are stimulated by LH and human chorionic gonadotropin. Conversely, like negative feedback, progesterone inhibits the secretion of LH and FSH from the pituitary gland (so-called HPG axis).

Low progesterone levels may cause irregular menstrual periods, infertility, acne, brittle nails and dry hair, depression, anxiety, mood swings, weight gain, migraines, headaches, and joint aches. Often the main cause of low progesterone levels is chronic stress. Extremely strenuous exercise may also lower progesterone levels.
High progesterone levels occur with ovarian cysts, excessive progesterone production by the adrenal gland, and some rare types of cancer.

If your progesterone levels are low, review the following lifestyle factors:

• Prioritize effective stress management
• Don’t overtrain - exercise in moderation
• Maintain normal body weight and body fat percentage (21–31 % for women)
• Improve nutrition, particularly in terms of micronutrients; important nutrients include:
• Magnesium
• B vitamins (particularly vitamin B6)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc
• Increase the amounts of hormone-friendly foods in your diet:
• Organic eggs (especially the yolk)
• Grass-fed meat and offal
• Crustaceans and wild fish
• Turmeric, oregano, and thyme
• Cherries
• Walnuts

Avoid foods that promote estrogen production or contain phytoestrogens

• Soy products
• Sesame seeds
• Linseeds
• Chickpeas

In some cases, low progesterone levels may require medicinal treatment and follow-up by a physician if natural methods are insufficient to boost the levels. Bioidentical progesterone cream is a widely used form of hormone replacement therapy internationally. In Finland for example, progesterone deficiency is often treated with orally ingested drugs. There is an intense medical tug-of-war over this issue—some physicians are staunchly against their use, others for it. The research data available on progesterone creams is thus somewhat conflicting.

Reference ranges for progesterone (female):

• Follicular phase: less than 3.0 nmol/L
• Ovulation phase: 1.0–4.0 nmol/L
• Luteal phase: 18–72 nmol/L
• Post-menopause: less than 3.0 nmol/L

After menopause, it is normal for progesterone levels to decrease and remain low. If you suffer from symptoms associated with menopause, consult your physician.

Interpretation:
Determining progesterone levels is useful when studying the function of the corpus luteum. Progesterone levels exceeding 25 nmol/L on the seventh day after the assumed date of ovulation are the defining mark of an ovulatory cycle. For a more detailed assessment of the corpus luteum function, it is recommended to complete the analysis 4–10 days before the beginning of the new menstrual cycle in three days. Please consult your treating physician for a more detailed assessment and interpretation.

Progesterone in males

Males produce small amounts of progesterone, but the levels are significantly lower than in females. Progesterone is primarily known as a female sex hormone because it is crucial in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

In males, progesterone is produced in the testes, specifically in the Leydig cells, and it serves various functions:
1. Spermatogenesis: Progesterone plays a role in spermatogenesis, which produces sperm in the testes.
2. Hormonal regulation: In males, it regulates other hormones, including testosterone. It can be converted into other hormones like corticosterone.
3. Anti-inflammatory: Progesterone has anti-inflammatory properties and may play a role in modulating immune responses in males.

Reference ranges for progesterone (male):

Range (ng/mL) 0.1−0.9