The presence of ovulation will increase progesterone production. However it can happen that even if we ovulate, we might not be producing enough progesterone to support a pregnancy or having a long enough luteal phase (which in terms of pregnancy, is better).
Low progesterone can look like:
- Heavy, long periods.
- Moodiness.
- Short luteal phase <10 days.
- Painful periods.
- Sleeping badly.
- Spotting in between periods.
Progesterone is vital to carry a pregnancy.
Stress management can do wonders in this case! Progesterone can be tested by blood or urine and in order to do it accurately, it must be tested 5-7 days AFTER ovulation. You must know when you ovulate more or less to make the testing exact! This is why tracking your cycle is extremely important.
For a healthy ovulation, you need healthy ovarian follicles and healthy CL (corpus luteum) – remember it takes 3-4 months to optimise the golden egg that will be fertilised and become an embryo, a baby. A healthy corpus luteum will produce progesterone for about 2 weeks during the luteal phase (or very beginning of your pregnancy when you still are not aware of being pregnant).
To naturally boost progesterone production:
- Prioritise gut health by adding fermented foods to your diet (probiotics) and prebiotics like onion, garlic and flaxseed.
- Add antioxidants to your diet as they boost ovarian follicle health.
- Add a stress management plan to your every day routine. Baths, an evening walk, sunbathing or just meditation.
- Get tested to see if you’re deficient in anything.
- Add beets, cabbage, avocado and occasional walnuts in kefir yoghurts to your diet.
Julia's Wellness Tips 