Progesterone

Progesterone — is a steroid hormone primarily produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries after ovulation, and to a lesser extent — by the adrenal glands and placenta during pregnancy.

It plays a key role in maintaining women’s reproductive health, but also affects metabolism, the nervous system, and the balance of other hormones.

Beneficial Properties

Progesterone is essential not only for fertility but also for the overall hormonal balance of the body. Its main functions include:

• preparing the endometrium for the implantation of a fertilized egg;
• supporting pregnancy and preventing uterine contractions;
• reducing estrogen dominance and protecting against endometrial hyperplasia;
• participating in the regulation of sleep, calmness, and stress resilience;
• normalizing thyroid function and insulin sensitivity;
• reducing inflammation, protecting blood vessels and the brain from oxidative stress.

Daily Requirement and Natural Sources

The body does not obtain progesterone directly from food but can synthesize it from cholesterol and precursor hormones (particularly pregnenolone). It is important that the diet includes:

• complete animal fats (eggs, meat, butter, liver);
• zinc, magnesium, vitamins B6, E, and C — cofactors for hormone synthesis;
• adequate amounts of protein and cholesterol;
• healthy fat levels in the diet and the absence of strict diets.

Symptoms and Consequences of Deficiency

A deficiency of progesterone is one of the most common causes of hormonal imbalance in women.

Signs of its reduction include:

• irregular menstrual cycle or anovulation;
• difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy;
• breast tenderness, swelling, irritability before menstruation;
• increased anxiety, insomnia, mood swings;
• estrogen dominance — tendency to gain weight and develop fibroids;
• cold extremities, reduced thyroid function;
• increased inflammation, migraines, PMS, and depression.

Possible Risks of Excess

Excess progesterone is rare but can occur with prolonged use of synthetic progestins or hormone therapy.

Symptoms include:

• drowsiness, lethargy, decreased libido;
• dizziness and weakness;
• increased sensitivity of the breasts;
• sluggishness, decreased concentration and blood pressure.

Natural Support for Progesterone Levels

To restore hormonal balance, it is important to eliminate insulin resistance and nutrient deficiencies.

Supporting progesterone production can be aided by:

• vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) — normalizes pituitary function and the estrogen-progesterone ratio;
• vitamin B6 and magnesium — key cofactors for hormone synthesis;
• fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K;
• the luteal phase of the cycle — rest, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep;
• avoiding strict diets and stressors that cause increased cortisol.

Conclusion

Progesterone — is not just the “pregnancy hormone,” but the main antagonist of estrogen and a regulator of calmness, sleep, and metabolism.

Its balance determines women’s health, fertility, and emotional state.

Maintaining adequate progesterone levels is possible through nutrition, correcting deficiencies, and normalizing lifestyle without the need for synthetic analogs.