Progesterone and Fertility

The proper amount of natural progesterone is crucial to a woman who is trying to become pregnant. Natural Progesterone prepares the uterine wall for implantation of the fertilized egg. With low progesterone, the egg can be expelled. Natural progesterone hormone treatment can also be used to induce fertility when there appears to be ovulatory dysfunction.

Tasks of progesterone hormones during pregnancy (mostly in conjunction with estrogen):

Makes the endometrium develop and secrete fluids after being primed by estrogen.
Maintains the functions of the placenta and fights off unwanted cells near the womb that could cause damage to the placenta or fetus.
Keeps the endometrium in a thickened condition.
Stops the uterus making spontaneous movements.
Stimulates the growth of breast tissue.
Prevents lactation until after the birth (with estrogen).
Strengthens the mucus plug covering the cervix to prevent infection.
Strengthens the pelvic walls in preparation for labor
Stops the uterus from contracting (thus keeping the baby where it is)

Because progesterone is essential to prevent the premature shedding of the supportive secretory endometrium, a significant drop in progesterone levels or blockade of progesterone receptor sites during the first 10 - 12 weeks of pregnancy may result in the loss of the embryo (miscarriage).

At the end of the pregnancy, the levels of progesterone secreted by the placenta drop off. It is this action that stimulates the beginning of the contractions that will lead to birth.

How to treat progesterone hormonal imbalance:

Three levels of approaches can be considered for balancing hormonal levels:
(1) lifestyle changes , (2) alternative medicine and (3) drugs and surgery.

The safest way is to start with the least risky approach and go on to the next level only if it is necessary. Click here to read more about these excellent hormonal imbalance treatments.