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Trying to get pregnant? Then progesterone needs to be on your radar.
Progesterone is a vital hormone for getting and staying pregnant.
So what do you do if you don’t have enough progesterone?
Progesterone supplements may be an option for you.
If you’ve never heard of progesterone supplements, don’t fret. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the different progesterone supplements. And as a bonus, we’ll explore how you can increase your progesterone naturally through diet and stress reduction.
Let’s begin by reviewing why you need progesterone for a successful pregnancy.
Importance of progesterone in pregnancy
Pregnancy and progesterone go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Progesterone rises and falls throughout your menstrual cycle. This fluctuation influences your menstrual cycle and your ability to become pregnant.
Once you ovulate, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone. The corpus luteum is the structure left behind from the follicle that releases the egg. Progesterone levels rise to help thicken your uterine lining so a fertilized egg can implant. If you don’t have a thick, lush endometrium, then an embryo will not successfully implant.
Progesterone doesn’t only prepare your body for pregnancy. It stays hard at work throughout pregnancy. Here’s a breakdown of what progesterone does:
- Maintains a healthy uterine lining throughout pregnancy.
- Prevents ovulation which stops you from getting pregnant again.
- Prevents uterine contractions which could cause miscarriage or premature delivery.
- Prepares the breast for lactation. Progesterone inhibits milk secretion during pregnancy. But once levels drop after delivery, lactation will begin.
- Prevents the mother’s immune system from rejecting the fetus.
As you can see, progesterone has many important roles during pregnancy. So how do you know if you need a progesterone supplement for pregnancy?
Who needs progesterone supplements?
Progesterone supplements are most useful if you have low progesterone levels. These won’t be helpful if you have normal levels and are looking for a “boost”.
So how might you know if you don’t have enough progesterone?
You could experience some of the following symptoms:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Mood swings or changes
- Headaches
- Hot flashes
Progesterone supplementation has the most benefit if you have a history of the following:
- Luteal phase defect/luteal phase deficiency – low progesterone levels secreted by the corpus luteum or the body has limited response to progesterone
- Miscarriage – early pregnancy loss (before 20 weeks)
- Threatened abortion – vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks gestation without cervical dilation
- Preterm birth – baby was born too early (before 37 weeks gestation)
- Shortened cervix – cervix shorter than 25 mm around 20 weeks gestation
It may also be helpful if you are undergoing fertility treatments such as ART or ovulation induction.
You may be thinking you could benefit from a progesterone supplement. But which one will be best for you?
Types of progesterone supplements
Let’s take a look at the 4 contenders:
- Oral progesterone
- Progesterone injections
- Progesterone suppositories
- Progesterone creams
Oral progesterone
You take oral progesterone by mouth in the form of a pill or capsule. You cannot buy progesterone pills over the counter. They require a prescription from your doctor.
However, this form of progesterone is not the preferred method if you are trying to conceive. This is because oral progesterone has low bioavailability. This means once the body processes progesterone, there is not much left for use. Progesterone is extensively metabolized by the intestine and liver.
Menopausal women may still find this useful for hormone replacement therapy in combination with estrogen. Oral progesterone helps to counteract the side effects of estrogen such as abnormal thickening of the uterine lining.
There are some significant side effects of progesterone pills. The most common side effects of progesterone are as follows:
- Breast tenderness or pain
- Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- Mood swings
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Changes in sex drive
Read more: Oral Progesterone and Pregnancy? What You Should Know
Progesterone injections
Progesterone injections can be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The intramuscular one is injected into the muscle. And the subcutaneous injection is injected into the fatty tissue (think, your stomach, inner thigh, or back of your arm).
These are highly effective routes of administration because they sneak past liver metabolism. This means progesterone quickly gets into the bloodstream.
This is one of the most common forms of progesterone supplements, but it’s the one associated with the most pain and discomfort. If you’re not into poking yourself with a needle in your buttocks, then this may not be the best option for you.
Some common side effects of injectable progesterone are as follows:
- Pain or irritation at the injection site
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Increased body or facial hair
- Drowsiness or dizziness
Read more: Progesterone Injections: Who, What, When, Where, Why, And How
Progesterone suppositories
Suppositories aren’t just for your bum. Progesterone suppositories are inserted into the vagina. Once inserted they melt/dissolve and release progesterone into the body.
Since these are administered vaginally, they have a localized effect on the uterine lining.
They are easy to insert and are associated with little pain or discomfort. You may even find they help you take some time to relax since you have to lay on your back for around 15 minutes after insertion!
These may be most helpful if you have one of the following conditions:
- A luteal phase defect
- A shortened cervix
- Recurrent miscarriages
- Unexplained infertility
Progesterone suppositories can be helpful in other situations including:
- Amenorrhea (absence of a period)
- Hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women
- Abnormal bleeding from the uterus
You may experience some of the following side effects while using progesterone suppositories:
- Vaginal discharge, discomfort, or irritation
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating or abdominal cramps
Read more: Progesterone Suppositories: The Ultimate How-To Guide!
Progesterone creams
There are two types of progesterone creams: topical creams and vaginal creams.
Let’s look at how they differ.
Topical progesterone creams
- Mostly used by perimenopausal/menopausal women to relieve menopausal symptoms
- Do not require a prescription (so they can be purchased over-the-counter)
- Not FDA-regulated
- Applied topically to the skin
Topical progesterone creams are easily accessible, but please do not use them without consulting a doctor. They are generally not recommended for improving fertility.
Read more: Progesterone Creams 101
Vaginal progesterone gels
- Beneficial in treating low progesterone for women TTC
- Require a prescription
- Similar to progesterone suppositories
- Applied inside the vagina
Both progesterone creams and vaginal progesterone gels bypass liver metabolism. Sneaky!
Topical progesterone creams usually have mild side effects such as skin irritation.
Vaginal progesterone gels could result in the following side effects:
- Vaginal irritation
- Pain in the genital area
- Breast tenderness
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
You’ve met the 4 contenders. But which one is the winner?
What’s the best progesterone supplement?
The most effective progesterone supplements for fertility are injectable and vaginal forms of progesterone. It’s no contest when you compare these forms to oral progesterone. They easily win the fight!
But how do injectable and vaginal forms compare to each other?
The research is a mixed bag.
Some studies show IM progesterone may lead to a greater number of live births and fewer miscarriages.
Another study showed IM and vaginal progesterone are equally effective. However, women felt vaginal progesterone is easier to use. These women were less satisfied with IM progesterone due to the pain of the injection.
If you don’t mind the injection, IM progesterone may be great for you. If you can’t stand the thought of routinely getting a “shot”, then vaginal progesterone may be a better option.
In any case, please consult your doctor before beginning progesterone supplementation.
Natural progesterone vs. synthetic progesterone
A quick note about the difference between natural and synthetic progesterone.
Natural or “bioidentical” progesterone has a molecular structure identical to the progesterone you create in your body. Manufacturers obtain natural progesterone from soybeans or wild yam roots.
“Synthetic progesterone” or progestin has a different molecular structure and is human-made. Because progestin is not identical to progesterone, problems can occur during use. For instance, use may lead to androgenic effects such as the following:
- Fluid retention
- Reduction of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
- Headaches
- Mood disturbances
They may also pose a higher risk of breast cancer, bleeding, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease when combined with estrogen.
Many birth control pills contain synthetic progesterone. The supplements mentioned in this article are usually made from natural or micronized progesterone.
Progesterone supplements have a time and place. But is there a more natural route you can take?
How can I naturally increase my progesterone levels?
There are no dietary supplements you can take to directly increase progesterone.
But there are foods you can eat that can help boost your body’s production of progesterone. This is because some vitamins and minerals help maintain your hormone levels.
Let’s look at some of the yummy foods you can start incorporating into your diet.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps balance the levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Here are some foods to try that are high in vitamin B6:
- Meat such as salmon, chicken, tuna, turkey, and beef
- Spinach
- Bananas
- Chickpeas
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can help increase progesterone levels if you have a luteal phase defect.
Here are a few fruits and veggies to consume that are high in vitamin C:
- Kiwis
- Oranges
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
Zinc
Zinc helps you maintain adequate progesterone levels.
Here are some foods you might like to try that are high in zinc:
- Shellfish
- Meats such as beef, pork, and chicken
- Lentils
- Oats
- Pumpkin seeds
- Mushrooms
Magnesium
Magnesium helps maintain a healthy level of progesterone. It can also help reduce stress, which is often elevated when TTC!
Add these foods to your diet if you are low in magnesium and progesterone:
- Dark chocolate
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cashews
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Black beans
What are the other ways to boost my progesterone levels?
There are a few other ways you may be able to naturally boost your progesterone levels. Let’s take a look at them.
Reduce stress
Have you heard of the stress hormone cortisol? This is a hormone your body creates when you’re under a lot of stress.
Increased cortisol levels are detrimental to your health for many reasons. One reason is too much cortisol production can lead to a decrease in progesterone production.
The best way to prevent this is by reducing your stress levels. Admittedly, this is easier said than done.
Here are a few tips for how to reduce stress:
- Stay active
- Practice meditation
- Reduce your caffeine intake
- Write in a gratitude journal
- Eat a healthy diet
- Practice self-care
Exercise
Staying active by partaking in moderate exercise at least 150 minutes per week reduces stress levels. And combining a healthy diet and exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can keep your hormones balanced and make it easier for you to get pregnant.
In fact, women who are obese are shown to have lower levels of progesterone and are more likely to struggle with infertility. It is believed that some women who are obese experience miscarriages due to low progesterone.
Improve sleep hygiene
Not getting adequate quality sleep can disrupt your hormones.
This is due to an increase in cortisol. Yes, the stress hormone is at it again. This increase in cortisol can disrupt the production of many hormones in your body, including progesterone.
Aim to get high-quality sleep consistently to reduce your risk of low progesterone due to lack of sleep.
So you’ve read this article and you plan to talk to your doctor about starting a progesterone supplement. But how will the supplements affect tracking with the Inito Fertility Monitor?
Progesterone supplements with Inito
The important thing to keep in mind is that taking any form of progesterone will change the levels of progesterone in your body. This includes your blood and urine levels.
Inito measures your PdG levels in urine to confirm ovulation. If your progesterone levels increase after taking progesterone supplements, this may cause an increase in your PdG levels as well. This could give you a false positive reading.
To avoid receiving a false positive for ovulation, wait to take your supplements until after you confirm ovulation with Inito.
Disclaimer – Please consult your doctor before taking progesterone supplements. Do not self-medicate as this could lead to complications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do progesterone supplements do?
Progesterone supplements work by increasing the amount of progesterone in your body. Some forms are more effective than others. The goal of progesterone supplementation is to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy if you’re TTC, relieve menopause symptoms, or help with menstrual abnormalities.
What supplements increase progesterone?
Progesterone supplements include oral progesterone, progesterone injections, progesterone suppositories, and progesterone creams. The most effective progesterone supplements for pregnancy are injections and vaginal progesterone. Consult your doctor to know the best option for you.
Is it OK to take progesterone every day?
Your doctor likely won’t prescribe progesterone every day to support fertility. Taking progesterone every day can interfere with ovulation and cause your period to stop. You will likely take it on a rotating basis. Always follow the directions given to you closely. Don’t take more or less than prescribed.
Will progesterone stop my period?
Progesterone may cause your period to be lighter, come later than expected, or come less often. However, using progesterone on a rotating basis should not cause your period to stop.
Key takeaways:
- Progesterone is crucial for a healthy and successful pregnancy.
- Progesterone supplements are most beneficial if you have low progesterone. They can’t be used to “boost” normal levels.
- Injectable and vaginal progesterone is most effective if you’re trying to get pregnant and if you have a luteal phase defect, a shortened cervix, recurrent miscarriages, or unexplained infertility.
- Oral progesterone is easy to use but may not be the most effective if you’re trying to conceive.
- Topical progesterone may be useful in managing menopausal symptoms.
- Vitamins B6 and C, and minerals like zinc, and magnesium may increase your progesterone production.
- Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction, sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise may help you naturally increase your progesterone levels.
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