What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries in the female body. It is naturally secreted during the second week of a woman's menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels start out low (less than 2 milligrams per milliliter of blood), but rise rapidly after ovulation to more than 5 milligrams per milliliter. In women that have become pregnant, progesterone levels can shoot up even more. There is also some debate as to whether a decrease in progesterone levels is necessary for labor to begin.
Progesterone Supplementation
Progesterone is often difficult to increase because, if given orally, it cannot be absorbed by the body unless it has been "micronised" first. Micronisation is a process in which the progesterone is essentially made into tiny crystals. This crystals can then be taken up by the body if they are dissolved in oil. There are also ways of increasing progesterone by using vaginal inserts or rectal suppositories. Finally, yams contain a compound known as diosgenin. Diosgenin is a plant steroid that can be converted, in a laboratory, to progesterone. While it is thought that eating diosgenin may increase progesterone levels, there is no evidence that this is true.
Effects of Increasing Progesterone
Progesterone can be given to women who are experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menstruation. This helps support the uterine tissue, which, if it develops abnormally or is absent, will cause a bloodless period followed by heavy bleeding. Progesterone is often commonly given to women who are receiving in vitro fertilization, or to women who are having trouble becoming pregnant. In this case, progesterone creams, pills or injections work to increase the growth of the uterus, which will help allow a pregnancy to "take hold."
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