Progesterone and Infertility

Progesterone is a hormone that is connected with reproduction and female ovulation. It works alongside the hormone oestrogen to facilitate the menstrual cycle and plays an important role in pregnancy and fertility. When progesterone infertility occurs, the woman will have trouble maintaining the pregnancy. This condition can occur when the body produces excessive oestrogen, or when it doesn’t produce enough progesterone. Treating this condition can be relatively straightforward and can correct the problem of progesterone infertility.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is one of two female sex hormones that work in tandem to control the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Each month, the estrogen stimulates the release of an egg (ovulation) and prepares the lining of the uterus for implantation. Following ovulation the hormone progesterone peaks. This peak in progesterone helps ensure the successful implantation of the embryo in the uterus should fertilisation occur. Menstrual bleeding and the elimination of the egg happen when fertilisation does not occur and progesterone levels drop.

Progesterone and infertility

One of the most common causes of infertility in women in their 30s and 40s is a deficiency of progesterone. Instead of having a surge following fertilisation, the levels drop causing the removal of the uterine wall (menstruation) and preventing the successful implantation of the embryo in the uterine wall. The infertility doesn’t reflect an inability to conceive, but rather an inability to carry the baby successfully in the immediate period following conception.

Treatment options and benefits

Fortunately, the incidence of progesterone infertility is relatively straightforward to treat. Treatment options include pills, shots, suppositories and creams to increase progesterone levels. Many fertility specialists now advocate the use of natural progesterone which is applied via progesterone creams.  This is considered favourable to the use of synthetic progestogens (similar to those found in the oral contraceptive pill).

Using natural progesterone and applying it as a topical cream can boost the levels of natural progesterone to correct the imbalance that causes the uterus to shed the lining and prevent successful embryo implantation. The advantage of this form of treatment is that it is relatively inexpensive and less obtrusive than alternative drug treatments which can have a range of troublesome side effects. The cream is simply applied regularly after conception or monthly ovulation to correct the imbalance in progesterone levels.

Once the progesterone is made more readily available it has a range of benefits for both the mother and the developing embryo.

The benefits of progesterone include:

  • Ensuring the uterine lining remains intact for implantation of the fertilised ovum
  • Facilitating sperm access to the egg to increase the likelihood of fertilisation
  • Prevents the other ovary from ovulating
  • Helps to stop rejection of the embryo
  • Aids with foetal development during the course of the pregnancy

Progesterone and infertility can be managed and treated when they are understood. If you are having trouble conceiving it is always advisable to seek assistance from a medical professional. With help from a specialist you should discover that progesterone infertility treatment can be straightforward to treat and manage to help you carry a pregnancy full term.