What is progesterone and why is it a must?

Progesterone is an essential hormone in the female body, especially when it comes to pregnancy and your monthly rhythm. It comes mainly from your ovaries, with a little support from your adrenal glands, and its main job is to prepare your uterus for a fertilized egg that wants to implant. But that's not all - it keeps your pregnancy on track, makes you feel relaxed and ensures that you sleep well at night.

Not having enough progesterone can be a real pain. Imagine your period coming and going at will, you losing gallons of blood, or you just can’t seem to get that baby. It also acts as a sort of balancer with other hormones, affecting your entire well-being – from how you feel to how you look. So this hormone is a real jack of all trades. Here are just a few things it does for you:

Giving pregnancy a helping hand: It makes your womb a cozy place for your growing little one.
Your cycle on track: It keeps your period somewhat predictable.
Sleep like a rose: It's your natural chill agent, great for your night's sleep.

Are you curious about how progesterone sometimes goes up and down and what you can do to keep it right? A chat with your midwife or doctor can really help you. With some smart adjustments in your diet or daily routine you can already gain a lot. At Midwives Lelystad we give you tips that really suit you – we are ready to support you with care that feels like a warm coat!

Let’s zoom out for a moment: why is progesterone such a star? Think of your body as a machine with all sorts of knobs and levers—progesterone is one of the most important. It monitors your cycle, makes your uterus grow during pregnancy, and even helps your bones and skin. When it’s missing, everything—your energy, your mood, even your sleep—shows the signs. It’s a hormone that works quietly, but is oh so necessary.

How Progesterone Controls Your Body and What You'll Notice

Progesterone is a powerhouse in your system, especially as a woman. After you ovulate, your ovaries start making it, and it regulates a lot of things – your period, pregnancy, you name it. Let's start at the beginning: it prepares your uterine wall for an egg that wants to stick around. When you are pregnant, it keeps going to keep everything stable, a kind of bodyguard for your baby.

But it does more than that. It makes you feel calm, like you're taking a natural tranquilizer. It also works with other hormones, like cortisol, which helps keep your stress levels in check. That's how it affects your desire for sex, your mood and how you sleep. Here are some of the tasks it tackles:

Timing your cycle properly.
Supporting the start of a pregnancy.
Co-controlling cortisol.
Keeping your uterus free of lumps.
Let you relax and sleep.

It's kind of a partner-in-crime with estrogen – they keep each other in check, so your body doesn’t get out of balance. When progesterone is low, you can tell by your energy – you might feel weak or listless. It also helps keep your bones strong, so a deficiency can cause problems later on. And your skin? It can react too – too little progesterone can cause pimples or dry patches, because it helps regulate your oiliness.

When you’re pregnant, it goes through the roof – your placenta takes over, making sure your uterus is growing and your baby is secure. After you give birth, it goes back down, which sometimes explains the dip. Outside of pregnancy, it’s what lets you know when your period is coming. It’s a hormone you don’t see, but it’s always adding something – a silent force that supports you day and night.

Recognizing and Fixing a Progesterone Deficiency

Too little progesterone can let you know softly or very loudly that something is wrong. Maybe your mood is all over the place, your period is a mess, or PMS is knocking you flat. Headaches that linger, low sex drive, or trouble maintaining a pregnancy – these can also play a role. It’s a hormone that helps your baby grow, so when it drops off, your body sends a signal.

What can you do if you think this? First, get checked out by a doctor – they can measure whether your levels are correct and what’s wrong. When that time comes, there are ways to go. You can pimp your diet with more vitamin B6 (bananas, anyone?), magnesium (nuts are great), and zinc (seafood gives a boost) – that helps your body make progesterone. Stress is a silent killer – too much of it eats away at your hormones. A calm breath or a good night’s sleep can reverse that. And if necessary, hormone therapy can help, but only with a doctor who understands it.

Ditch your stress with some yoga or a chill moment.
Remove B6, magnesium and zinc from your diet.
See a doctor for a check-up and plan.

You can also sometimes notice a lack of sleep in your sleep – without enough progesterone, you keep tossing and turning. And if you’re always tired for no reason, that could be a clue. It’s a bit of detective work, but with the right clues, you can get there. A doctor can figure out whether it’s stress, your diet, or something bigger. Especially if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s smart to tackle this properly – it can really make or break your chances.

And let’s be honest: you often feel better when it’s right. A deficiency can also make you heavier – literally, because it helps regulate your metabolism. Or you suddenly get more hair in strange places – that too can be because estrogen is taking over. It’s a hormone that affects your entire system, so when it’s gone, you feel it everywhere.

Boosting your progesterone the natural way

Vitamins and minerals are your buddies if you want to boost progesterone. Vitamin C is a hero – it helps your immune system and your hormones. A 750mg shot a day can lift your levels. B vitamins, especially B6, are also gold – they boost progesterone and temper estrogen, keeping you balanced. And zinc? That’s a fertility buddy that boosts your production – you can find it in oysters or pumpkin seeds.

Spices and food also give a boost. Chasteberry (also called monk's pepper) stimulates your pituitary gland to produce progesterone. Dong Quai keeps your hormones in sync, and evening primrose oil brings power with its fatty acids. Nuts and seeds, full of omega-3, calm your system. Here's what you can try:

Herb	What it does
Monk's pepper	Pumps up progesterone
Dong Quai	Maintains estrogen and progesterone balance
Evening primrose	Boost via fatty acids

Throw it in your meal or take it as a pill – but check with an expert first. Eat more avocado or chia seeds for that omega-3 kick. And your life? Less stress, more rest, and a good plate of food can do a lot. It's a natural way to help your body, without too much fuss.

If you do this smartly – like a relaxed evening and a smoothie full of seeds – you’ll give your hormones a boost in the right direction. Too much sugar or coffee can actually bring them down, so keep that in mind. It’s all about small steps that add up to a big difference – a calmer body and a happier you.

When are progesterone supplements an idea?

Progesterone supplements can be a smart move in some cases. Have you had miscarriages because your levels were too low? This could be your savior – it keeps your uterus strong and ready for a baby. If you’re trying to get pregnant and it’s not working, your doctor can suggest this to boost your chances.

It also helps if your hormones are all messed up – think pre-menopause or PMS. You might be feeling grumpy or your cycle is a mess. Supplements can help bring some calm to that chaos. Here are some signs that you might want to consider it:

PMS that knocks you out.
A cycle without rhythm.
Tired or moody for no reason.
Headache that doesn't go away.

But don’t do it on your own – a doctor needs to be there. Your body is unique, and too much or too little can do more harm than good. They can check if you really need it and what the best dose is. It’s a tool that can save your pregnancy or your day, but only if it’s right.

And if you do use it, keep your doctor in the loop. It can help you sleep, stabilize your mood, or get your cycle back on track. But it’s not candy — you have to do it smart. Especially if you’re pregnant, it can be a game-changer for getting everything growing right.

Finally

We hope you now see how progesterone keeps your body going – from your cycle to pregnancy. At Verloskundigen Lelystad in De Koploper we understand that you are different, and that is why we provide care that really suits you. Questions about your hormones or need help with your pregnancy? Call us – we are ready with tips and a support that feels like home. Together we make your start perfect!