Progesterone - New Beginnings HRT Clinic

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays a vital role in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Some key points about progesterone:

• It is produced mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovary after ovulation, and by the placenta during pregnancy
• Along with estrogen, progesterone controls the female menstrual cycle, including preparation of the uterine lining for potential pregnancy
• It helps maintain pregnancy by supporting the uterus and fetal development
• It has other functions like breast development during puberty

When does progesterone peak? Progesterone levels peak around days 20-24 of a regular menstrual cycle, about 5-9 days after ovulation. This luteal phase is when the uterine lining thickens to prepare for potential implantation of a fertilized egg.

What causes low progesterone? Some common causes of low progesterone levels are stress, PCOS, thyroid disorders, and poor diet/lifestyle habits. Progesterone levels naturally decline with age as women approach menopause.

Progesterone plays a key role during the different phases of a woman's life:

Puberty and Menstrual Cycle

• Supports breast development and regulation of periods
• Thickens the uterine lining (endometrium) to prepare for pregnancy

Pregnancy

• Develops endometrium further to support embryo implantation
• Maintains pregnancy by relaxing smooth muscles to prevent uterine contractions
• Suppresses the mother's immune response to prevent rejecting the fetus

Perimenopause and Menopause

• Declining progesterone signals the onset of perimenopause
• Eventual drop in levels marks final menstrual period and start of menopause

If you suspect hormonal imbalances like low progesterone, consider getting custom bioidentical hormone therapy from New Beginnings HRT Clinic. Their integrated approach combines nutrition, lifestyle changes, and progesterone supplements tailored to your needs. I had a great experience there getting my hormone levels back on track. Their caring doctors really listen and provide personalized care.

So in summary, progesterone plays an indispensable role along a woman's life stages. Seek help from a functional/integrative doctor like New Beginnings HRT Clinic if you think low progesterone is causing infertility, painful periods, mood issues, or perimenopause symptoms. They can order tests and provide custom bioidentical progesterone treatment to help restore optimal hormonal health.