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Food Containing Progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone that plays several important roles in the female body. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle, maintains pregnancy, and is a key factor in sexual desire. If you're trying to balance progesterone levels, check with your health care provider to find the approach that's best for you.

  1. The Facts

    • According to the National Women's Health Resource Center, progesterone is attributed to PMS symptoms including sore breasts and mood changes. On the plus side, it is vital during pregnancy. First of all, women with low progesterone levels have difficulty becoming pregnant. Second, during pregnancy, progesterone levels increase to stop ovulation and stimulate glands in the breasts to produce milk. Certain foods naturally contain progesterone, and consuming them will cause progesterone levels in the body to elevate.

    Wild Yams

    • According to Medline Plus, wild yams are considered one of the highest sources of progesterone. Wild yams are difficult to find and differ from yams sold in the grocery store. (Yams sold in the grocery store are members of the sweet potato family and are not truly yams at all.) The easiest and likely most economical method of obtaining wild yams is to purchase a wild yam supplement.

    Eggs

    • Eggs are also high in progesterone. Most of it is stored in the yolk. Therefore, while eating egg whites is often considered to be healthier, it won't work if you're trying to increase progesterone levels.

    Milk

    • Dairy cows often have high levels of progesterone which is passed into their milk. Some farmers also inject cows with progesterone and other hormones to increase milk production. If you're looking to avoid progesterone, you can purchase hormone-free milk.

    Meat

    • Certain meats such as chicken and beef may contain progesterone. However, the exact amount is not regulated and likely varies. The aforementioned foods are much better progesterone sources. If you're trying to reduce progesterone levels, talk to your health care provider about whether or not you should cut out meat or certain cuts of meat as well.

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