Progesterone: Should You Take Progesterone if You Are Trying to Conceive?
Summary
TLDRDr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified OB/GYN and REI, discusses the misuse of progesterone by those trying to conceive. She clarifies that progesterone levels naturally fluctuate and should not be constant, cautioning against daily supplementation without understanding one's cycle phase. Dr. Crawford emphasizes the importance of timing progesterone supplementation correctly, ideally post-ovulation, to avoid disrupting the implantation window and potentially hindering pregnancy. She also advises against daily hormone intake, which can alter the uterine lining and affect embryo implantation.
Takeaways
- 😀 Progesterone is not supposed to be present every day in the body's natural cycle.
- 🔬 During the menstrual cycle, the first half is estrogen dominant with low progesterone, and the second half sees the rise of progesterone post-ovulation.
- 🤰 In a normal pregnancy, progesterone levels should rise due to the hormone HCG, which stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone.
- ⚠️ Misinterpretation of blood panels for progesterone levels can lead to incorrect supplementation, potentially harming fertility efforts.
- 🚫 Taking progesterone daily or starting too early in the cycle can close the implantation window, preventing embryo implantation.
- 💊 The script advises against the daily use of progesterone if prescribed without proper timing to the menstrual cycle.
- 📊 Normal progesterone levels can vary widely (3 to 40 nanograms) in the luteal phase and do not indicate the adequacy of the phase.
- 👩⚕️ For those with a history of miscarriage or concerns about progesterone levels, supplementation should ideally start 3 days post-ovulation and use vaginal suppositories over oral pills.
- 🌱 The script warns against the use of certain supplements and compounds with estrogen-like effects that can disrupt hormonal balance.
- 🚫 High levels of biotin can interfere with hormone assays, potentially skewing blood test results and affecting diagnosis.
- ❗️ When considering hormone supplementation, it's crucial to ensure the prescriber is a hormone expert and to consult a fertility doctor if in doubt.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video by Dr. Natalie Crawford?
-The main topic of the video is the role and proper use of progesterone in relation to fertility and pregnancy.
Why is it important to understand the hormonal cycle when trying to conceive?
-Understanding the hormonal cycle is crucial because it helps to know when to supplement with hormones like progesterone and when not to, which can affect the chances of conception and the health of a potential pregnancy.
What does Dr. Crawford suggest is a common misconception about progesterone levels?
-A common misconception is that having low progesterone levels always indicates a problem and requires supplementation, which is not necessarily true as low progesterone can be normal in certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
What hormone is primarily responsible for the growth of the egg follicle?
-Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is primarily responsible for the growth of the egg follicle.
How does estrogen play a role in the menstrual cycle?
-Estrogen is important for the growth of the uterine lining and preparing it for pregnancy. It also has positive effects on mood and energy levels during the follicular phase.
What is the significance of the LH surge in the menstrual cycle?
-The LH surge triggers ovulation, allowing the mature egg to be released from the follicle, and stimulates the formation of the Corpus luteum, which then produces progesterone.
Why is it not recommended to take progesterone every day if you're trying to get pregnant?
-Taking progesterone every day can disrupt the natural hormonal balance and the implantation window, potentially preventing the embryo from implanting properly.
What is the role of HCG in early pregnancy?
-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is produced by the embryo after it implants in the uterine wall. It binds to the same receptors as LH, stimulating the Corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is essential for maintaining pregnancy.
According to Dr. Crawford, when should progesterone supplementation ideally start if it's deemed necessary?
-Progesterone supplementation should ideally start 3 days after ovulation if it's deemed necessary, to avoid closing the implantation window too early.
What is the preferred method of progesterone supplementation according to the studies mentioned by Dr. Crawford?
-The preferred method of progesterone supplementation is through vaginal suppositories, not oral pills.
Why should one be cautious about taking certain supplements or chemicals with estrogen-like properties?
-Taking certain supplements or chemicals with estrogen-like properties can alter the hormonal balance and potentially interfere with the body's natural signaling and hormone production, which is critical for fertility.
What warning does Dr. Crawford give about the use of biotin in relation to fertility testing?
-Dr. Crawford warns that high levels of biotin can interfere with steroid hormone assays, leading to inaccurate blood test results that may not reflect the true hormonal state.
Outlines
🤰 Progesterone and Pregnancy: Misconceptions and Advice
Dr. Natalie Crawford, a board-certified OB/GYN and REI, addresses the common misconceptions about progesterone supplementation during the process of trying to conceive. She explains that the body is not designed to have progesterone every day and warns against the misuse of progesterone, which can be detrimental to those trying to get pregnant. Dr. Crawford emphasizes the importance of understanding the normal hormonal cycle, where the first half is estrogen-dominant and the second half involves both estrogen and progesterone. She discusses the role of FSH, estrogen, LH, and the corpus luteum in the menstrual cycle and ovulation process, and clarifies that progesterone levels vary and are not an indicator of the luteal phase's adequacy. The video aims to educate viewers on the complexities of hormones and fertility, urging them to be cautious of oversimplified advice and to consult with fertility experts for accurate information.
📊 Understanding Progesterone Levels in Pregnancy and Miscarriages
This paragraph delves into the specifics of progesterone's role during pregnancy and the potential issues with its supplementation. Dr. Crawford clarifies that HCG, the hormone associated with pregnancy tests, mimics LH and stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is essential for maintaining pregnancy. She explains the exponential rise of HCG and its correlation with increasing progesterone levels. The doctor also addresses the misuse of pregnancy progesterone data during the luteal phase, cautioning against the application of pregnancy progesterone levels to non-pregnant individuals. Furthermore, she discusses the confusion surrounding progesterone levels in cases of miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, where low levels may be observed due to insufficient HCG production. Dr. Crawford advocates for proper progesterone supplementation, if necessary, starting three days post-ovulation and using vaginal suppositories rather than oral pills, to support those with a history of pregnancy loss or potential luteal phase deficiency.
🚫 The Dangers of Improper Hormone Supplementation
In the final paragraph, Dr. Crawford warns against the daily use of hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, which can disrupt the body's natural hormonal balance and potentially harm fertility. She explains that the hormonal flux is dynamic and should not be constant, as it is in a normal menstrual cycle. The first half of the cycle is estrogen-dominant, while the second half sees the presence of both estrogen and progesterone. The doctor also cautions against the use of substances with estrogen-like properties, such as certain supplements, which can interfere with the hormonal signaling system. She advises viewers to be wary of any recommendations for daily hormone supplementation without proper cycle timing and to consult with a fertility doctor for accurate and safe guidance. Dr. Crawford concludes by inviting viewers to ask questions for further clarification and to seek reliable information from fertility experts.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Progesterone
💡Estrogen Dominance
💡Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
💡Estrogen
💡Ovulation
💡Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
💡Corpus Luteum
💡Luteal Phase
💡Implantation Window
💡Pregnancy
💡Hormone Imbalance
Highlights
Dr. Natalie Crawford discusses the misuse of progesterone by those trying to conceive, which can actually be harmful.
The body is not designed to have progesterone every day, contrary to common misconceptions.
Some individuals are misdiagnosed with estrogen dominance or low progesterone due to improper blood panel interpretations.
A normal menstrual cycle involves a shift from estrogen dominance in the first half to both estrogen and progesterone in the second half.
Progesterone levels during the luteal phase can vary significantly and are not indicative of the phase's adequacy.
Pregnancy progesterone levels are different from those in the luteal phase, with HCG playing a key role in maintaining progesterone levels.
Misapplication of pregnancy progesterone data to the luteal phase can lead to unnecessary supplementation.
Progesterone supplementation should ideally start after ovulation, not before, to avoid prematurely closing the implantation window.
Vaginal suppositories are preferred over oral pills for progesterone supplementation when necessary.
The timing of progesterone supplementation is crucial and should be based on reliable ovulation tracking.
Taking progesterone too early in the cycle can interfere with the implantation process and embryo development.
Dr. Crawford emphasizes the importance of understanding the hormonal balance in a normal cycle and the risks of daily hormone supplementation.
The use of certain chemicals and compounds with estrogen-like properties can disrupt hormonal balance and fertility.
High levels of biotin can interfere with hormone assays, leading to inaccurate blood test results.
Dr. Crawford advises caution with hormone supplementation and to consult a fertility doctor for proper guidance.
The video aims to educate viewers on progesterone's role in fertility and the pitfalls of improper supplementation.
Transcripts
should you take progesterone if you're
trying to get
pregnant hi friends I'm Dr Natalie
Crawford and I'm a board certified OB
Joan and REI I'm a fertility doctor and
I talk about fertility and hormones
every single day and today I want to
talk to you about progesterone this is
not my first time talking about
progesterone however I am seeing more
and more people come see me and they're
taking Progesterone
and these are educated people who are
trying to do everything they can to get
pregnant yet they're actually doing
something that's hurting them and that's
what I want to break down with you about
progesterone if you are new to the
channel welcome this channel exists so
that we can spread information about
your bodies your health your
reproductive system so you can learn
more about your own body and hormones so
please subscribe and share and spread
this information with more people so if
we're going to talk about progesterone
what we are going to talk about is who
needs supplementation and when
I have talked more about progesterone
this week probably than ever and
clinically when I'm seeing patients and
we're talking so much about it it's just
making me wonder what is going on out
there so number one let's remember the
body is not supposed to have
progesterone every single day and so if
you are going and getting diagnosed with
estrogen dominance or being told your
progesterone is
low caution with what comes after it
doesn't mean that may not be true but
what I am finding is that some people
are having big blood panels drawn by
people who don't know how to interpret
them or where they are in their cycle
and then they're getting prescribed
something so here's what I mean by that
let's talk about the normal cycle inside
your ovary are all your eggs every month
you have a group of eggs come out of the
Vault inside your ovary and from this
group one egg is going to be selected to
ovulate eggs are microscopic so each egg
actually grows inside a follicle the
brain sends out follicle stimulating
hormone or FSH FSH is well named and
it's going to get get a follicle to grow
as that follicle starts growing it makes
estrogen now estrogen is so important it
gets the lining to start growing
preparing for a pregnancy it feeds back
to the brain so the brain drops the
amount of FSH it needs to send because
we only need one egg and estrogen works
on the brain to make you feel good and
happy and energetic and this is why in
that follicular phase the first part of
a cycle when an egg is growing or a
follicle is growing FSH is the
predominant hormone from the brain
estrogen is the predominant hormone from
the ovary and you really you don't have
any progesterone in this phase and
that's very very normal so the entire
folicular phase is estrogen dominant
progesterone
low after you ovulate when that egg
makes enough estrogen so it's about 200
pams for about 50 hours that's going to
signal to the brain that you have a
mature egg and the brain is then going
to send out a surge of a different
hormone called LH or lutenizing hormone
LH is a very important hormone and what
it does is it allows that follicle to
rupture and it allows the egg to come
out so job one that's ovulation if you
have pain with this because you can feel
that sometimes that's called middle
schms which means pain in the middle
it's a German word for ovulatory pain
now that follicle forms back together
and it becomes the Corpus ludum and so
lutenizing hormone stimulates the corpus
ludum and the Corpus ludum is making
progesterone this is what makes
progesterone in the ludal phase ludal
phase is the time from after you ovulate
until when you get that Next Period and
then we say if you get pregnant you
really don't end the ludal phase of
keeps going but in that ludal phase what
is happening is this Corpus ludum is
making progesterone and progesterone is
being stimulated in Pulses from the LH
Pulses from the brain so you have LH p
pulsing stimulating that Corpus ludum to
have pulses of progesterone so
progesterone can be anywhere from 3 to
40 nanograms at any moment in the ludal
phase depending when you're drawing
blood in relation to an LH surge from
the brain and you don't know that so
normal no progesterone you ovulate and
now you have ups and downs of
progesterone ranging in this 3 to 40
range or the ludal phase so if you come
in and you get a blood draw for
progesterone if it's over three all it
can tell me is that you ovulated the end
there's no progesterone level that's
telling us the ludal phase is adequate
in the ludal phase now when you're
pregnant progesterone should be a
certain level so when you're doing
pregnancy checking of progesterones or
fertility treatment and we're trying to
get there that's a different situation
because in pregnancy as soon as you get
pregnant that embryo is in the uterus
about one week after ovulation and it
starts to grow into the uterine wall and
it makes HCG and HCG is the hormone that
we all know because you pee on the stick
and it turns positive but HCG is now
what binds to the same receptors as LH
so HCG binds to the same receptors and
so now it is constantly stimulating that
Corpus ludum to make progesterone and
because a good normal pregnancy makes
HCG approximately doubling every two
days you know have an exponential rise
in HC G therefore you have a constant
yet increasing stimulus of progesterone
production from that corium so you went
from this pulsatile production very
normal and now you get pregnant and now
you have a constant stimulus and your
progesterone is going to rise and that
is pregnancy different than what we see
before we're pregnant yet in the ludal
phase yet people are applying this
pregnancy data saying oh we need a level
of 15 or 20 or higher to represent a
good pregnancy
into the ludal phase and then they're
putting people on progesterone yet
they're not giving them instructions on
how to use it so we're going to go over
that because what's happening is the
pregnancy data is to try to help us
diagnose a uterine pregnancy from an
ectopic pregnancy or an inevitable
miscarriage because one of the ways that
a pregnancy that's not dividing normally
talks to the body is it's not making HCG
at that constant interval
and because the Corpus ludum can only
live from brain stimulation for about 14
days the brain's going to stop sending
out those LH pulses and if you don't
have high enough HCG you're not going to
make as much progesterone therefore that
low progesterone is often seen in
inevitable miscarriage or ectopic
pregnancy Cycles so this leads to
confusion because people who are having
recurrent miscarriages might get these
pregnancy progesterones drawn and
they're always low and we feel like
progest tone is the problem and I'm not
saying it's not but I'm not saying it is
and I'm not saying I haven't told you
how to fix it yet because what's
happening is people are fixing it wrong
so number one progesterone we wish
overcame all of these miscarriages I
went through a bunch of losses and I
wish progesterone could come in and save
them all if you're going to give
progesterone it might help I do think
there's a certain amount of people who
are having ludal phase deficiency or low
progesterone it's contributing to their
carriage or their loss rate and it's
probably an ovulatory issue if you're
not ovulating a good enough Corpus ludum
it can't make the progesterone it needs
to make so personally I like ovulation
induction chomal ovulate better it'll
make more progesterone but I also often
give progesterone and I don't think it's
wrong to give progesterone but if you're
going to give it what the study support
is that it needs to start after
ovulation because you're not having
progesterone before progesterone opens
and closes that implant anation window
so if you start progesterone before you
ovulate you have now closed your
implantation window and when you have an
embryo ready to implant those are not
synchronous meaning the uterus is so
interesting it gets all this estrogen to
prime it once it starts being exposed to
Progesterone it's going to have this
perfect level of receptivity and once
you're past that an embryo can't implant
and this is the entire premise with many
forms of birth control espec
progesterone only birth control because
daily progesterone is giving this
constant progesterone exposure to the
uterus and making it so that you can't
implant progesterone birth control does
not typically prevent ovulation so
things like a progesterone IUD or a
daily mini pill those often are not
really preventing ovulation they're
really working their mechanism of action
much more at the uterus so if you go
somewhere and get diagnosed with low
progesterone and somebody gives you a
prescription for progesterone and says
your estrogen dominant or your
progesterone low and you should take
this every day you should not if you're
trying to get pregnant or they tell you
you should take it um just flat out days
14 to 28 of your cycle probably wrong
because you need to start it after
ovulation and what the studies are
looking at as the best time is that if
you have a current pregnancy loss or
we're worried that progesterone could be
an issue for you if you're going to
replace it number one we should use
vaginal suppositories not oral pills
number two we should start it 3 days
after ovulation which means you need to
be able to reliably and predictably
track your ovulation and I have some
videos on that for you but if your
periods are irregular and you can't
track your ovulation you should not be
just randomly taking it during those
cycle days is it going to harm you if
you're already pregnant to take
progesterone no is it going to harm you
if you started too early yes and that's
why we say three days after ovulation is
a safe window so what I want you to know
is that you should not have have all
these hormones every single day the
body's hormonal balance is a constant
Dynamic flux that in a normal cycle you
know your hormones are balanced because
you have regular cyclic periods and if
you don't you might have a problem but
even in a normal cycle you're not
supposed to have these set levels of
estrogen progesterone every single day
first half the cycle is estrogen
dominant the second half you have both
estrogen and progesterone you shouldn't
have progesterone every day so if
somebody's telling you to take
progesterone if they're telling you to
take estrogen if they're telling you to
take testosterone please know it's going
to blunt the brain's response for other
hormones and it does change the uterus
it can thin out the lining it can also
cause issues with the developing betas
so no thank you if you're trying to get
pregnant also be wary of chemicals and
compounds that have estrogen like
properties because that can change the
brain's ability to Signal or interpret
signals because this is a really
important system so things like Maca
Vitex Chase Berry I don't love those in
the average regular person but a lot of
people will be on these warning sign for
biotin if you're having periods that are
irregular or you're going to the
fertility doctor because bioten can
actually bind to our steroid hormone
assays and in high levels it can
actually make our blood test not make
sense with what's really going on so
just want you to be aware of the world
around you and if somebody's trying to
put you on a daily hormone or they're
just giving you these random dates and
they're not timing it to your cycle big
red flags please think are they really a
hormone expert who are they what are
their credentials and if there's any any
doubt please see a fertility doctor I
hope this helped you understand
progesterone a little bit I have some
extra videos about it will'll link down
below and would love if you would ask
questions that's how we get topic ideas
for more of these videos as always you
can find out more information on the as
awom podcast and thank you
friends
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