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Last post we spoke about what you should look out for around the time of ovulation. We discussed how progesterone is produced from your corpus luteum post ovulation. But what exactly is progesterone? Why do we need it? What are it's benefits?
Progesterone is the key hormone for your period health and hormone balance. What are some of its benefits?
Maintains and nourishes your pregnancy
It counterbalances Estrogen. We do not want Estrogen to be left unopposed since this can lead to Estrogen Dominance (more on that for another blog post!)
Progesterone thins your uterine lining, lightening your once heavy period
It reduces inflammation in your body
It helps promote sleep
Protects you against heart disease
Progesterone is your relaxing and calming hormone. Bye bye anxiety! (Have you noticed your anxiety worsens if you are on birth control? This is because your body is not producing progesterone and you will not feel its calming benefits)
Progesterone is ONLY produced after ovulation. Many of my clients come to me when they have not had a period in months and they are not ovulating.
This is a problem that is addressed and is solved once we implement specific diet + lifestyle changes to help support their hormones and to let their body know that it is a safe time to ovulate and conceive! They are able to confirm ovulation for the first time in years!
But can you still bleed if you do not ovulate?
YES GIRL, YOU CAN!
WHY?
Because your follicles still produced estrogen and as they grew and matured, they tried to ovulate. Estrogen helps to thicken your uterine lining and eventually that lining will need to shed. Since there is no progesterone, this is an example of unopposed estrogen.
So what happens to the corpus luteum after it produces progesterone?
If you become pregnant, the corpus luteum will keep producing progesterone until your placenta takes over, which is around 12 weeks of pregnancy.
If you do not become pregnant, it will disintegrate after the 10-16 days of your luteal phase. Your luteal phase can NEVER be longer than 16 days for this reason. After these 16 days, progesterone levels drop and your lining begins to shed aka your period begins.
Are you struggling with progesterone issues? Do you have...
PMS
PCOS
Heavy periods
Fertility issues
I suggest the DUTCH test, which tests your progestogen (and other hormones) throughout a 24 hour period. Progesterone varies throughout the day and this is why I prefer this test over standard blood work.
For more info on how you can support and finally take charge of your hormones, book your FREE discovery call today. I look forward to working with you, love!
Talk soon! xoxo
Chaya Lezell RDN, CDN
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