Why is progesterone low in women?
The hormonal background for the fairer sex plays a particularly important role, since hormones determine the overall well-being and the ability to conceive a baby. Any deviation from the norm can lead to an unpleasant symptom and becomes a reason for contacting a specialist. If timely treatment is carried out, then serious he alth problems can be prevented.
Reasons for a decrease in progesterone concentration
Why is progesterone low in women? Its level changes from time to time, depending on the day of the cycle. From the beginning of menstruation until the release of the egg, the lowest value is noted - this is a normal physiological feature of the body. After ovulation, the corpus luteum is formed, as a result of which the level of the hormone rises, and in the second phase, its concentration also increases. If the corpus luteum is functioning normally and the endometrium is abundantsprouts with vessels - preparation for the attachment of a fertilized egg begins.
In the postmenopausal period, the level of the hormone decreases. With menopause, the egg no longer matures and the corpus luteum does not form, and the adrenal glands are not able to maintain a normal progesterone concentration. Among the main reasons for lowering the level of the hormone are:
- thyroid disease;
- defective functioning of the pituitary and hypothalamus;
- placental insufficiency;
- occurrence of hyperprolactinemia;
- insufficiency of the luteal phase of the cycle.
Only after a complete examination, the doctor will determine for what reason the woman's progesterone is low. Hormone levels are affected by diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress.
Luteal phase
Progesterone in women - what is it? This is a hormone that is responsible for the regularity of the menstrual cycle and the possibility of bearing a fetus. If progesterone is low, then, most likely, this indicates an insufficiency of the luteal phase. There are several diseases that can provoke such a hormonal background. Namely:
- In polycystic ovary syndrome, the follicle matures, but does not rupture, but reforms into a cyst. Under such conditions, a woman's ovary is covered with an unruptured follicle.
- With resistant ovary syndrome, the sensitivity of the organ to the effects of the hypothalamic hormone is lost. Under such conditions, the egg is not able to mature.
- If a woman hasovarian hyperinhibition syndrome - this indicates that the patient was taking medications that disrupted the pituitary gland.
- With premature exhaustion syndrome, menopause occurs early. Menstruation stops after the age of 43, but systematic stress, radiation, chemotherapy, and medication can trigger the onset of premature menopause.
If a lack of progesterone is detected in the luteal phase, this may indicate that serious diseases are developing, namely:
- endometriosis;
- womb cancer;
- ovarian cancer;
- appearance of polyps;
- myoma.
Affect the second phase of the menstrual cycle and surgical interventions such as abortion or curettage. Only after examining the patient, the attending physician will be able to identify the true cause of low progesterone in a woman.
Can thyroid hormone levels affect?
Progesterone in women - what is it? How does the thyroid gland affect its indicator? This is a hormone that is responsible for the regularity of the menstrual cycle and the possibility of bearing a fetus. In the process of developing hypothyroidism, hormonal levels can be disrupted. Under the influence of thyroid hormone, a protein is synthesized in the liver, which removes testosterone and estradiol. With a protein deficiency in the blood, active testosterone increases, which suppresses ovulation. Under such conditions, the corpus luteum cannot mature. If there is a deficiency of thyroid hormones, estrogen inactivation occurs, which leads toan increase in their concentration, as a result of which the menstrual cycle is disturbed. Under such conditions, women are often diagnosed with infertility. In some cases, conception occurs, but it is not always possible to endure a he althy baby. Quite often, newborns are diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
How do the hypothalamus and pituitary affect progesterone levels?
The hypothalamus and pituitary are the central glands that regulate the work of all the others. With their defective functioning, violations of hormonal secretion appear. Due to insufficient blood supply, the secretion of tropic hormones will decrease, the work of all glands will begin to be inhibited. Pituitary hypogonadism is a disease that leads to miscarriage due to insufficient progesterone levels.
Hormonal functioning of the placenta
The placenta is capable of producing progesterone from the very moment of its formation, in frequent cases this happens after 15.5 weeks from conception. With improper formation and development of the placenta, the content of progesterone may be disturbed. Due to premature aging and the presence of calcifications, its level may decrease.
Pathology of hyperandrogenism
If the amount of androgens increases significantly, this provokes the development of anovulation. Under such conditions, dense capsules are formed on the ovary, which interfere with the release of the egg. If the work of the adrenal glands is disrupted or an ovarian tumor has formed, the level of the hormone rises.
Features of hyperprolactinemia
Thanks to prolactin, the mammary glands increase, milk production is activated. The level of this hormone rises after childbirth. If a pituitary tumor is found in a patient, the blood supply is disturbed, the regulation of the function of the hypothalamus has changed - the menstrual cycle is lost due to a lack of ovarian-stimulating hormones. After childbirth, physiological inhibition of ovulation occurs due to the fact that prolactin does not allow the egg to mature. This protective function of the body preserves the he alth of women, since re-conception will lead to exhaustion and the development of serious complications for the mother and baby.
There are several reasons that can affect the level of the hormone. Only after a thorough medical diagnosis can a doctor find out why a woman's progesterone is low. Gynecologists and gynecologists-endocrinologists will help restore the he alth of the patient. It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, since the use of any medications not prescribed by a doctor can provoke the active development of diseases. Any alternative methods must be used strictly after consulting a doctor. Herbs contain hormones, so using them for other purposes can even lead to death.
What are the symptoms of low hormone?
What are the symptoms of low progesterone in women? There are several that indicate a decrease in progesterone, namely:
- menstrual irregularity;
- problematicconception;
- irregular menstrual cycle;
- long period delay;
- during menstruation there is a lot of blood;
- discirculatory uterine bleeding occurs;
- constant fatigue;
- fatigue;
- appearance of edema;
- pain in the mammary glands;
- frequent mood swings;
- migraines.
When one of the symptoms of low progesterone in women appears, doctors recommend a full examination. It is important to contact a gynecologist-endocrinologist, since a lack of a hormone affects overall well-being and can provoke the development of serious diseases. In order to avoid serious complications, it is important to visit a medical facility in a timely manner and pass all the necessary tests so that the doctor can make a diagnosis. Based on the results of the study, the attending specialist prescribes a comprehensive treatment that will help normalize the menstrual cycle and improve the general condition of the patient.
Treatment process
The choice of treatment for low progesterone in women depends on the underlying cause that triggered the decrease in its level. If a patient has pituitary tumors, it is necessary to carry out therapy with an oncologist. In the presence of a pathology of the thyroid gland, you need to visit an endocrinologist. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia is carried out with the help of Bromocriptine. Tumors can only be cured by surgery or chemotherapy. Quite often, experts useradiotherapy.
The consequences of low progesterone in women are unpredictable, it can be either complete infertility or the development of tumors. For this reason, it is important to conduct a comprehensive and timely treatment. During therapy, you should eat right and lead a he althy lifestyle, you need to fully relax and not be nervous, try to avoid stressful situations, and normalize nutrition. It is necessary to focus only on he althy foods that contain a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates.
It is necessary to include vegetables and fruits, lean meat and fish in the diet. Flour, sweet products, carbonated drinks, alcohol - it is better to exclude. If during the period of bearing a baby, a woman has low progesterone, then doctors prescribe "Dufaston". The drug is released in the form of tablets. The duration of the course of treatment and dosage is determined by the attending physician, depending on the clinical picture.
If a girl has endometriosis, then doctors prescribe to take "Dufaston" from the 5th to the 25th day of the cycle, 10 mg 2-3 times a day. With infertility, provoked by luteal phase deficiency, the drug is taken from the 14th to the 25th day, the duration of therapy is at least 6 months. You should be aware that self-medication can lead to the development of serious diseases. At home, it is impossible to carry out the diagnosis of the body. Only a specialist can prescribe effective therapy. Dufaston is prescribed for irregular periods, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, to stop uterine bleeding.
"Utrozhestan" has exactly the same effect as "Dufaston". Release the drug in the form of tablets. With the help of an oil solution of progesterone - "Oxyprogesterone", the low level of progesterone in women is corrected. The drug is administered intramuscularly. The medicine gradually releases the hormone into the blood. Assign most often in the event that there is a threat of miscarriage. The solution causes the onset of menstruation. The medicine is administered intramuscularly. The duration of treatment is a week, the dose is determined by the attending physician.
The effect of foods on hormone levels
With the help of motherwort, raspberry leaves, wild yam, cuff, you can increase the level of progesterone in the blood. To do this, pour boiling water over the ingredients and drink before eating. The dosage should be determined by the attending physician.
What foods increase progesterone in women? Avocado, raspberry, red pepper, nuts. To lower its level, it is necessary to exclude pork meat, poultry meat, fats of vegetable and animal origin from the diet. Products that lower progesterone in women - pumpkin seeds, nuts, legumes.
Using folk methods
How to increase progesterone in women with folk remedies? To increase the level of progesterone, you can use folk recipes. Among the most effective are:
- Dried raspberry leaves (50 g) must be poured with boiling water (2 cups). Let the product brew for 50 minutes. After strain and drink in small portions forthroughout the day.
- Combine dried wild yam and raspberry leaves in equal proportions, 2 tbsp. l. plants pour boiling water and let it brew. Take 1.5 tbsp. l four times a day.
- In equal proportions combine psyllium seeds and cuffs. Pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for an hour. Drink 1.5 tbsp. l. several times a day.
- 200 g of a red brush pour two liters of vodka. Infuse for 4 weeks. Stir contents from time to time. Use the healing composition several times a day, 35 drops each. First you need to dilute the product in clean water.
How to increase progesterone in postmenopausal women? To increase progesterone levels, experts recommend including thyme, oregano, curry mix, and turmeric in your diet. Thanks to such spices, the dish becomes not only tasty, but also he althy. In addition, it is recommended to include lentils, beans, peas, almonds, turkey and young veal meat, quail eggs, oatmeal, raspberries, avocados, olives in the diet. Before using any alternative treatment method, it is important to consult a doctor, since self-medication often provokes the development of serious he alth complications. Signs of low progesterone in women may be absent, so regular check-ups with a doctor are recommended.
