10 Signs You May Have Low Progesterone & Natural Ways To Boost Progesterone

Progesterone is one hormone that we like nice and high. It’s the hormone that helps us feel cool, calm, and well-balanced. It is released when you ovulate and prepares the uterus to receive and sustain fertilized eggs. When it is at optimal levels, it helps you sleep well, have stable moods, have little-to-no PMS, and feel great overall.

When progesterone is low, it can lead to a variety of unwanted symptoms.

10 Signs You Have Low Progesterone

• Low libido,

• Weight gain

• PMS

• Heavy periods

• Irregular/missing periods

• Period/cramps

• Anxiety

• Mood swings/quick to become emotional

• Fatigue

• Hormonal headaches

Here Are 5 Possible Causes Of Low Progesterone

Stress:

When our body is experiencing stress either from physical stressors or mental stressors it will produce the hormone, cortisol as a protective mechanism. When cortisol is chronically elevated due to work-life demands, lack of nutrients etc. it will slow the production of progesterone.

Overexercising or Undereating:

These are both perceived as a form of stress to our body and can increase cortisol production and lower the production of progesterone.

PCOS or Lack Of Ovulation:

If the ovulation does not occur or is irregular, then the body will not think to prepare for pregnancy and progesterone will not be released. Low ovulation = low progesterone.

Thyroid issues:

Hypothyroidism can be a contributor to low progesterone.

Perimenopause/Menopause:

As you head into perimenopause (that can happen long before becoming menopause) your progesterone levels will start to decline and can contribute to increased PMS and other symptoms.

How To Boost Progesterone

• Balance your blood sugar. High insulin leads to high cortisol which impacts progesterone levels.

• Eat healthy fats.

• Reduce and manage stress using coaching, therapy, meditation, boundary-setting, and more.

• Get to sleep!

• Vitamin C - helps to boost progesterone -strawberries, papaya, pumpkin, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and lemons.

• Magnesium - helps to preserve progesterone levels by keeping you calmer and supporting your adrenals. Cashews, kale and Swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, black beans, lentils, and other legumes, cacao, mackerel fish, and whole-grain brown rice.

Here are some ways we can work together.