Progesterone and Pregnancy

by Jenna
(Ontario , Canada)

I have a question about progesterone and pregnancy.

My progesterone level at day 18 of my menstrual cycle was at 18. We are trying to conceive and I want to know if this level is too high or too low?

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Hi Jenna,

Normal progesterone levels at that time of the month (after ovulation and before menses begins again) range between 20-24 mg. per day.


With that consideration in mind, your progesterone levels are low compared to the "normal range." That's really not uncommon in this day and age in our modern society.


There is definitely a correlation between the levels of progesterone and pregnancy. To increase your chances of fertility, you can increase your progesterone levels naturally using natural progesterone cream.


You may be able speak to your doctor and ask them to prescribe a good quality natural progesterone cream for you. Be sure to emphasize that you want natural progesterone cream, not synthetic progestins (they have negative side effects).


For women struggling with infertility, Dr. John Lee, in his book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause," writes...

"I had a number of patients in my practice who had been unable to conceive. For two to four months I had them use natural progesterone from days five to 26 in the cycle (stopping on day 26 to bring on menstruation). Using the progesterone prior to ovulation effectively suppressed ovulation.

After a few months of this, I had them stop progesterone use. If you still have follicles left, they seem to respond to a few months of suppression with enthusiasm, and the successful maturation and release of an egg.

Some of my patients who had been trying to conceive for years had very good
luck conceiving with this method."

That's one option you can try to improve your chances of conception.


If you simply want to boost your progesterone levels to within normal range, be sure to only use the progesterone after you've ovulated each month.


You can check for ovulation by taking your temperature each morning with a special ovulation thermometer (ovulindex) before you get out of bed.


When you ovulate, the progesterone you produce causes a slight rise in your body temperature. That lets you know you've ovulated and then you can supplement with progesterone cream each day until the end of your cycle.


Of course, if you find that you have conceived, you want to continue with the progesterone cream every day at least until the third month of your pregnancy. Then you can begin to taper off the progesterone cream since the placenta will begin to produce the progesterone levels you need.


By stopping the progesterone usage at the end of the month or in the early days of the pregnancy, the sudden drop in progesterone levels can signal the body to shed the lining of the uterus causing an abortion/miscarriage.


That may not happen to everyone (depending on their natural progesterone levels) but it is important to keep it in mind, particularly when you DO want to conceive.


I hope this has been of some help to you and I sincerely hope that the Lord blesses you with a baby. I know first-hand what it's like to deal with infertility and all the ups and downs that go along with it. My husband and I have never been able to conceive (due to other issues, not progesterone and pregnancy).


Kind regards,
Angie