Causes of Low Progesterone
Low progesterone levels can be caused by several factors, including:
Stress: High levels of stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can inhibit the production of progesterone.
Age: As women approach menopause, their hormone levels, including progesterone, naturally decline.
Poor Diet: A lack of nutrients essential for hormone production can result in low progesterone levels.
Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions like hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can affect hormone levels.
Luteal Phase Defect: This condition, where the second half of the menstrual cycle is too short, can result in insufficient progesterone production.
Excessive Exercise: Intense physical activity can affect hormone levels, including progesterone.
Obesity: Excess body fat can lead to hormonal imbalances, including low progesterone.
What we in Chinese medicine call “liver qi stagnation and deficient kidney yang”.
Xenoestrogens and Organochlorides can impact the balance of estrogen and progesterone (see chart below on common products used that impact hormones).
Foods That May Help Boost Progesterone
While foods don’t contain progesterone, certain nutrients are essential for the body's natural progesterone production. These include:
Vitamin B6: Found in chickpeas, bananas, and vitamin B6 helps regulate hormones.
Magnesium: Present in nutrient-dense foods such as dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, magnesium supports the adrenal glands, which produce progesterone.
Zinc: Found in meat, shellfish, legumes, and seeds, zinc is vital for hormone production. Be careful with shellfish as they are “bottom feeders” and with our oceans being more polluted may not be the best choice of protein. Check out www.ewg.org dirty dozen for polluted foods.
Vitamin C: High in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, vitamin C can boost progesterone levels.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these acids support overall hormone health.
L-Arginine: Present in turkey, chicken, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds, L-arginine helps improve blood flow to the ovaries, supporting progesterone production.
Healthy fats and nutrients such as black currant seed oil, collagen, bone marrow broth and chlorophyl complex.
Certain TCM customized formulas.
How Acupuncture May Help Boost Progesterone
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, may help boost progesterone levels through several mechanisms:
Reducing Stress: Acupuncture can lower cortisol levels and help manage stress, which can otherwise inhibit progesterone production.
Improving Blood Flow: By enhancing blood circulation to the reproductive organs, acupuncture may support better ovarian function and hormone production.
Balancing Hormones: Acupuncture can help regulate the endocrine system, promoting a balance between estrogen and progesterone levels.
Studies on Acupuncture and Progesterone
Several studies suggest that acupuncture might have a positive effect on progesterone levels:
A study published in "Fertility and Sterility" (2017) found that acupuncture could improve ovarian responsiveness and hormone levels, including progesterone, in women undergoing IVF treatments .
Research in "Acupuncture in Medicine" (2013) indicated that acupuncture might modulate hormone levels and improve menstrual health by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis .
A 2010 study in "Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine" demonstrated that acupuncture increased luteal blood flow and serum progesterone levels in women with luteal phase defect .
These studies suggest that acupuncture is a beneficial complementary therapy for women experiencing low progesterone levels.
Conclusion
Low progesterone can be influenced by various lifestyle and health factors. Nutrient-rich foods and targeted therapies like acupuncture may help boost progesterone levels naturally.
References:
Fertility and Sterility (2017): Study on acupuncture and IVF.
Acupuncture in Medicine (2013): Research on acupuncture's effects on the endocrine system.
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2010): Study on acupuncture and luteal phase defect.
Always consult with your medical doctor before adding complementary or alternative medicine therapies and remedies.
FERTILITY SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK:
One of the two woman who have recently had a 25 day cycle (this one for 10 years) and within 4 weeks achieved a perfect 28 day cycle has announced this past weekend that they conceived naturally with just 6 weeks of holistic care! I hope this inspires my Mom’s to be that fertility is natural, trust nature, follow close to natures laws and the body frequency vibration and energies harmonize with the innate power of procreation. Here is her share:
I help woman get pregnant, stay pregnant and have healthy babies. If I can be of assistance to you or anyone you know please share this Substack. I offer in person,telemedicine and even have a DIY 4
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Fertility is Natural, Trust Nature
Dr. Shasta Ericson DAOM
