How to Treat Low Progesterone

When a woman's progesterone levels are low, this can create problems. Progesterone is a reproductive hormone that is produced when a woman ovulates. It is essential in preparing the uterus for egg implantation and maintaining a pregnancy. If you are not regularly ovulating and, consequently, not producing progesterone, you are at risk for infertility. If you are peri-menopausal or in menopause, the lowered levels of progesterone can impact the way you feel. There are methods for treating low progesterone levels but, as always, consider both the pros and cons of doing this.

Things You'll Need

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (optional)
• Progesterone suppositories (optional)

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Instructions

Learn the Facts and Risks

• 1

  Consider using progesterone suppositories, although they haven't proved to be tremendously effective. If prescribed during a pregnancy, the suppositories may actually cause a pregnancy that is non-viable to last longer than it should, according to Pregnancyloss.info.

• 2

  Progesterone can also be given in a pill called Clomid. This is taken for five days early in the menstrual cycle to amp up production of hormones. It is effective, but a quarter of the women who have taken it will produce less cervical mucus, which can increase infertility rather than decrease it, notes Pregnancyloss.info. Dr. Mary Davenport points out that there are significant differences in the progesterone and estrogen levels in women that correlate to miscarriage versus those women who have successful pregnancies. She adds that Clomid will thin the lining of the uterus and reduce cervical mucus, but there are ways to counteract these problems.

• 3

  Choosing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you are menopausal is an option. Progesterone is included in the hormone pill, especially if you still have your uterus. Progesterone works to oppose the cancer-prompting effects that estrogen has on the endometrium, or uterine lining. In addition, progesterone helps eliminate insomnia, reduces anxiety and helps maintain and rebuild bones. However, keep in mind that there are risks associated with HRT.

• 4

  Be informed that when a pregnant woman is having difficult maintaining a pregnancy, progesterone supplementation does seem to be effective if it is given for a luteal phase defect. This means that the corpus luteum, which develops along with the egg at ovulation, isn't producing adequate amounts of hormones to sustain a pregnancy. In this case, progesterone is started 48 hours after ovulation to try and correct the hormonal deficiency.

• 5

  Consider that when progesterone levels drop, this can create problems with corticosteroid production, according to Project-aware.org. When progesterone declines, the brain and adrenal cortex should take over the production of progesterone, which is supposed to be made by the ovaries; however, the adrenal glands of many women are so exhausted that they can't assume this function.