Many women are unaware that progesterone deficiency could start ten to fifteen years prior to actual menopause. This causes a great deal of alarm, especially to those who dream of having children. A close friend of mine was just shy of hitting the 40-year old mark when she realized that she wanted to have a baby. While she and her husband found it very difficult to conceive, they did have a child—eventually. The early stages of her pregnancy were difficult and she was threatened by early miscarriage. It was when they discovered that she was suffering from progesterone deficiency.
Progesterone is an extremely important hormone. Expectant mothers must make sure that they do not have progesterone deficiency during pregnancy. This is because natural progesterone prepares the woman’s body, specifically the uterine wall, for the implantation of a fertilized egg cell. Without the right amount of progesterone, the egg cell will have nothing to cling on to and will be most likely be expelled by the body.
Aside from this, natural progesterone is needed when a woman is pregnant. Progesterone prevents the uterus from contracting and moving, keeping the fetus or baby safely in its place. It also strengthens the mucus plug that covers the cervix from problems such as infections. Progesterone is known to get rid of unwanted cells that can damage the fetus and the placenta.
Progesterone deficiency can tremendously affect how a woman’s body changes when she’s having a baby. Progesterone is responsible for the growth of breast tissue, keeping the endometrium thick, postponing lactation until after child birth, and strengthening the pelvic bones for safe child delivery.
If a woman feels like she is experiencing progesterone deficiency during pregnancy, she should pay close attention to many symptoms. Water retention, puffiness, bloating, cramps, carbohydrate cravings, and tenderness of the breast are some of the common signs to watch out for.
Another thing a woman with progesterone deficiency should attend to is taking progesterone and estrogen at the right amounts. Taking both estrogen and progesterone prevents estrogen dominance. It also help lessen a woman’s chances of having endometrial cancer and other similar illnesses caused by estrogen. Another importance of progesterone is that it is the base of many other hormones and steroids found in the adrenal glands and ovaries. Testosterone, estrogen, and even cortisol are all converted from progesterone.
If you’re pregnant and is in need of natural progesterone, it’s best that you consult a trusted health care provider. While you can purchase over the counter formulations, it’s best of you get ones prescribed by your doctor, so that you can get the best results.
