Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLifestyle ChangesFoods and DietHerbal SupplementsOther SourcesRisksWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lifestyle Changes
Foods and Diet
Herbal Supplements
Other Sources
Risks
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You can try natural remedies to increase progesterone, a sex hormone that plays an essential role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Lowprogesteronelevels affect fertility and may cause symptoms, including headaches, mood changes, and irregularmenstrual cycles.
No single treatment can increase natural progesterone. Certain foods, supplements, and lifestyle changes may promote better hormone function, though study results are mixed on how effective these are. There also are synthetic products available to boost low progesterone levels.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Natalia Lebedinskaia / Getty Images
The first steps toward improving your progesterone levels can involve lifestyle changes that, in some cases, can help with overall health or specific conditions that lead to hormonal imbalance. You can try:
Weight loss is another lifestyle change to consider. Weight gain is a common symptom in people diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which hormonal imbalance is common. Some diet studies show improved progesterone levels with PCOS as well as overall weight loss.Others suggest being overweight can contribute toinsulin resistance.
Food and Natural Progesterone
No food contains progesterone. However, our dietary choices can affect hormone levels. Some foods may help the body to produce more progesterone or balance estrogen levels.
The body needs vitamins B and C to maintain healthy levels of progesterone.Vitamin B6helps with liver function and hormone production. Good sources of vitamin B6 are:
Zincis an essential mineral for fertility and early pregnancy. It affects progesterone levels. Good sources of zinc are:
A 2024 study reported thatvitamin Dlevels and progesterone levels were both lower in people diagnosed with PCOS, but more research is needed to understand if vitamin D supplements would help with PCOS. It’s also unclear if vitamin D can help to elevate progesterone levels.
Herbal Supplements for Low Progesterone
Like foods with vitamin B6 or zinc, certain herbal supplements may affect progesterone levels. There’s little research to support their use, but some possibilities include:
Progesterone-Like PlantsSome plants contain “progesterone-like” properties. They includeDioscorea villosa, a type of wild yam, as well as chasteberry andTurnera diffusa, also known asdamiana. A small 2023 study found promising results when these plants were used to treat people with menstrual difficulties.
Progesterone-Like Plants
Some plants contain “progesterone-like” properties. They includeDioscorea villosa, a type of wild yam, as well as chasteberry andTurnera diffusa, also known asdamiana. A small 2023 study found promising results when these plants were used to treat people with menstrual difficulties.
Progesterone Medications
Progesterone treatment options include creams, gels, suppositories, and oral medications. Your healthcare provider will recommend a type of progesterone replacement therapy based on your age, symptoms, and overall health. The options include:
Progesterone is an integral part of the female reproductive system, affecting ovulation, menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy, as well as symptoms during or after menopause.
A Word From VerywellA healthy hormonal balance comes from maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and leading an active lifestyle. Herbal supplements exist that provide hormonal support, but evidence is limited. However, some people do find symptomatic relief, most commonly for postmenopausal symptoms.—ALEX YAMPOLSKY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A healthy hormonal balance comes from maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and leading an active lifestyle. Herbal supplements exist that provide hormonal support, but evidence is limited. However, some people do find symptomatic relief, most commonly for postmenopausal symptoms.—ALEX YAMPOLSKY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A healthy hormonal balance comes from maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and leading an active lifestyle. Herbal supplements exist that provide hormonal support, but evidence is limited. However, some people do find symptomatic relief, most commonly for postmenopausal symptoms.
—ALEX YAMPOLSKY, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Risks of Using Progesterone Products
As with any medication or supplement, there are possible risks to taking progesterone. Large doses of progesterone over a long period or its use with estrogen may raise the risk of:
Side Effects
Possible side effects of progesterone include:
Progesterone is needed for a healthy menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy. It’s important to talk about possible symptoms of low progesterone with your healthcare provider. They can include:
When progesterone levels are low, estrogen may become the dominant hormone in the body.Too much estrogencan lead to the following symptoms:
Your healthcare provider may want to assess thyroid function or other possible factors that can contribute to low progesterone symptoms.
When to Call for Immediate CareCall your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking progesterone:Chest painFast heartbeatShortness of breathSlow or difficulty speakingWeakness or numbness on one side of the bodyLack of coordinationLeg swelling or sudden painVision changes orblurred visionSeizuresDifficulty swallowing or breathingHivesor facial swelling
When to Call for Immediate Care
Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking progesterone:Chest painFast heartbeatShortness of breathSlow or difficulty speakingWeakness or numbness on one side of the bodyLack of coordinationLeg swelling or sudden painVision changes orblurred visionSeizuresDifficulty swallowing or breathingHivesor facial swelling
Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking progesterone:
Summary
Progesterone is a female sex hormone that plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle, ovulation, fertility, and pregnancy. Low progesterone levels may impact your health, fertility, and menstrual cycle. Possible symptoms of low progesterone include headaches, mood changes, and an irregular menstrual cycle.
Progesterone supplement options include herbal supplements, creams, pills, and suppositories. No foods contain progesterone, but a nutritious diet may improve hormonal balance. Lifestyle changes that may balance hormones include stress management, sleep improvement, healthy weight, and daily exercise.
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Progesterone.Wood CJ, Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Law R, Smyth N.Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31(2):135-145. doi:10.1080/10615806.2017.1390083Cho GJ, Han SW, Shin JH, Kim T.Effects of intensive training on menstrual function and certain serum hormones and peptides related to the female reproductive system.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(21):e6876. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000006876Morssinkhof MWL, van Wylick DW, Priester-Vink S,et al.Associations between sex hormones, sleep problems and depression: A systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Nov;118:669-680. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.006Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.Rankin AM, Garza R, Byrd-Craven J.The endocrinology of female friendships: Cortisol and progesterone attunement after separation.Biol Psychol. 2021 Apr;161:108059. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108059Che X, Chen Z, Liu M, Mo Z.Dietary Interventions: A Promising Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77(6):313-323. doi:10.1159/000519302Lee J.Determining the association between physical activity prior to conception and pregnancy rate.Health Care Women Int. 2020;41(1):38-53. doi:10.1080/07399332.2019.1640701National Institutes of Health.Vitamin B6.National Institutes of Health.Zinc.Akinola LA, Inyangudo GN, Ottun AT, Olumodeji AM, Adewunmi AA, Olalere FH,et al.Exploring Serum Vitamin D, Sex Hormones, and Lipid Profile Disparities in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.Cureus. 2024 May 24;16(5):e60975. doi:10.7759/cureus.60975Chasteberry. In:Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Evening primrose oil.Mahboubi M. EveningPrimrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in management of female ailments.J Menopausal Med. 2019;25(2):74-82. doi:10.6118/jmm.18190Grandi G, Facchinetti F, Melotti C, Sgandurra A.Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023 Jul 21;39(1):2239936. doi:10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936MedlinePlus.Progesterone vaginal.Bakkensen JB, Racowsky C, Thomas AM, Lanes A, Hornstein MD.Intramuscular progesterone versus 8% Crinone vaginal gel for luteal phase support following blastocyst cryopreserved single embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.Fertil Res Pract. 2020;6:10. doi:10.1186/s40738-020-00079-yNewson L, Rymer J.The dangers of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(688):540-541. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X706169Johns Hopkins Medicine.Menopausal hormone therapy.MedlinePlus.Hormone replacement therapy.Lieberman A, Curtis L.In defense of progesterone: A review of the literature.Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(6):24-32.Nagy B, Szekeres-Barthó J, Kovács GL, et al.Key to life: Physiological role and clinical implications of progesterone.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(20):11039. doi:10.3390/ijms222011039
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Progesterone.Wood CJ, Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Law R, Smyth N.Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31(2):135-145. doi:10.1080/10615806.2017.1390083Cho GJ, Han SW, Shin JH, Kim T.Effects of intensive training on menstrual function and certain serum hormones and peptides related to the female reproductive system.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(21):e6876. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000006876Morssinkhof MWL, van Wylick DW, Priester-Vink S,et al.Associations between sex hormones, sleep problems and depression: A systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Nov;118:669-680. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.006Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.Rankin AM, Garza R, Byrd-Craven J.The endocrinology of female friendships: Cortisol and progesterone attunement after separation.Biol Psychol. 2021 Apr;161:108059. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108059Che X, Chen Z, Liu M, Mo Z.Dietary Interventions: A Promising Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77(6):313-323. doi:10.1159/000519302Lee J.Determining the association between physical activity prior to conception and pregnancy rate.Health Care Women Int. 2020;41(1):38-53. doi:10.1080/07399332.2019.1640701National Institutes of Health.Vitamin B6.National Institutes of Health.Zinc.Akinola LA, Inyangudo GN, Ottun AT, Olumodeji AM, Adewunmi AA, Olalere FH,et al.Exploring Serum Vitamin D, Sex Hormones, and Lipid Profile Disparities in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.Cureus. 2024 May 24;16(5):e60975. doi:10.7759/cureus.60975Chasteberry. In:Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Evening primrose oil.Mahboubi M. EveningPrimrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in management of female ailments.J Menopausal Med. 2019;25(2):74-82. doi:10.6118/jmm.18190Grandi G, Facchinetti F, Melotti C, Sgandurra A.Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023 Jul 21;39(1):2239936. doi:10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936MedlinePlus.Progesterone vaginal.Bakkensen JB, Racowsky C, Thomas AM, Lanes A, Hornstein MD.Intramuscular progesterone versus 8% Crinone vaginal gel for luteal phase support following blastocyst cryopreserved single embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.Fertil Res Pract. 2020;6:10. doi:10.1186/s40738-020-00079-yNewson L, Rymer J.The dangers of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(688):540-541. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X706169Johns Hopkins Medicine.Menopausal hormone therapy.MedlinePlus.Hormone replacement therapy.Lieberman A, Curtis L.In defense of progesterone: A review of the literature.Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(6):24-32.Nagy B, Szekeres-Barthó J, Kovács GL, et al.Key to life: Physiological role and clinical implications of progesterone.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(20):11039. doi:10.3390/ijms222011039
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Progesterone.Wood CJ, Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Law R, Smyth N.Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31(2):135-145. doi:10.1080/10615806.2017.1390083Cho GJ, Han SW, Shin JH, Kim T.Effects of intensive training on menstrual function and certain serum hormones and peptides related to the female reproductive system.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(21):e6876. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000006876Morssinkhof MWL, van Wylick DW, Priester-Vink S,et al.Associations between sex hormones, sleep problems and depression: A systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Nov;118:669-680. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.006Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.Rankin AM, Garza R, Byrd-Craven J.The endocrinology of female friendships: Cortisol and progesterone attunement after separation.Biol Psychol. 2021 Apr;161:108059. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108059Che X, Chen Z, Liu M, Mo Z.Dietary Interventions: A Promising Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77(6):313-323. doi:10.1159/000519302Lee J.Determining the association between physical activity prior to conception and pregnancy rate.Health Care Women Int. 2020;41(1):38-53. doi:10.1080/07399332.2019.1640701National Institutes of Health.Vitamin B6.National Institutes of Health.Zinc.Akinola LA, Inyangudo GN, Ottun AT, Olumodeji AM, Adewunmi AA, Olalere FH,et al.Exploring Serum Vitamin D, Sex Hormones, and Lipid Profile Disparities in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.Cureus. 2024 May 24;16(5):e60975. doi:10.7759/cureus.60975Chasteberry. In:Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Evening primrose oil.Mahboubi M. EveningPrimrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in management of female ailments.J Menopausal Med. 2019;25(2):74-82. doi:10.6118/jmm.18190Grandi G, Facchinetti F, Melotti C, Sgandurra A.Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023 Jul 21;39(1):2239936. doi:10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936MedlinePlus.Progesterone vaginal.Bakkensen JB, Racowsky C, Thomas AM, Lanes A, Hornstein MD.Intramuscular progesterone versus 8% Crinone vaginal gel for luteal phase support following blastocyst cryopreserved single embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.Fertil Res Pract. 2020;6:10. doi:10.1186/s40738-020-00079-yNewson L, Rymer J.The dangers of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(688):540-541. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X706169Johns Hopkins Medicine.Menopausal hormone therapy.MedlinePlus.Hormone replacement therapy.Lieberman A, Curtis L.In defense of progesterone: A review of the literature.Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(6):24-32.Nagy B, Szekeres-Barthó J, Kovács GL, et al.Key to life: Physiological role and clinical implications of progesterone.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(20):11039. doi:10.3390/ijms222011039
MedlinePlus.Progesterone.
Wood CJ, Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Law R, Smyth N.Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2018;31(2):135-145. doi:10.1080/10615806.2017.1390083
Cho GJ, Han SW, Shin JH, Kim T.Effects of intensive training on menstrual function and certain serum hormones and peptides related to the female reproductive system.Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(21):e6876. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000006876
Morssinkhof MWL, van Wylick DW, Priester-Vink S,et al.Associations between sex hormones, sleep problems and depression: A systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Nov;118:669-680. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.006
Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.
Rankin AM, Garza R, Byrd-Craven J.The endocrinology of female friendships: Cortisol and progesterone attunement after separation.Biol Psychol. 2021 Apr;161:108059. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108059
Che X, Chen Z, Liu M, Mo Z.Dietary Interventions: A Promising Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77(6):313-323. doi:10.1159/000519302
Lee J.Determining the association between physical activity prior to conception and pregnancy rate.Health Care Women Int. 2020;41(1):38-53. doi:10.1080/07399332.2019.1640701
National Institutes of Health.Vitamin B6.
National Institutes of Health.Zinc.
Akinola LA, Inyangudo GN, Ottun AT, Olumodeji AM, Adewunmi AA, Olalere FH,et al.Exploring Serum Vitamin D, Sex Hormones, and Lipid Profile Disparities in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.Cureus. 2024 May 24;16(5):e60975. doi:10.7759/cureus.60975
Chasteberry. In:Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Evening primrose oil.
Mahboubi M. EveningPrimrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in management of female ailments.J Menopausal Med. 2019;25(2):74-82. doi:10.6118/jmm.18190
Grandi G, Facchinetti F, Melotti C, Sgandurra A.Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023 Jul 21;39(1):2239936. doi:10.1080/09513590.2023.2239936
MedlinePlus.Progesterone vaginal.
Bakkensen JB, Racowsky C, Thomas AM, Lanes A, Hornstein MD.Intramuscular progesterone versus 8% Crinone vaginal gel for luteal phase support following blastocyst cryopreserved single embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.Fertil Res Pract. 2020;6:10. doi:10.1186/s40738-020-00079-y
Newson L, Rymer J.The dangers of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(688):540-541. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X706169
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Menopausal hormone therapy.
MedlinePlus.Hormone replacement therapy.
Lieberman A, Curtis L.In defense of progesterone: A review of the literature.Altern Ther Health Med. 2017;23(6):24-32.
Nagy B, Szekeres-Barthó J, Kovács GL, et al.Key to life: Physiological role and clinical implications of progesterone.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(20):11039. doi:10.3390/ijms222011039
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