Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test — the first and only FDA-cleared test to confirm successful ovulation at home.
It’s no secret that PdG - progesterone metabolite - is queen here at Proov. It’s also no secret that we think it's really important for confirming ovulation and general wellbeing. But what should you do if your body isn’t producing enough of it on it’s own? Luckily, there are a few simple ways to know how to fix low progesterone .
First things first…
You can’t treat a problem if you don’t know it’s a problem. So, how do you know your levels are low?
Proov is the first at-home PdG test kit to confirm ovulation at home in just 5 minutes. Testing with Proov gives you valuable information about your PdG levels over a period of time. If your tests are positive during the testing window, then levels confirm healthy ovulation. However, if your Proov tests are negative during the testing window (days 7, 8, 9, 10 DPO), then suboptimal ovulation may be making it more challenging to get pregnant.
But what can you do about it?
Depending on the severity of the issue, lifestyle changes can sometimes be enough to give your body the boost it needs. If you have just 1 or 2 slightly negative Proov tests during the testing window, then seed cycling or diet changes might be a good place to start!
If you never get a positive Proov test or you get just one positive, it’s best to talk to your doctor about treatment. In more severe cases of suboptimal ovulation, it’s unlikely that lifestyle changes or over the counter treatments will be enough to boost levels to where they need to be. But don’t worry! Even if it requires a trip to the doc, low progesterone is often easy to treat.
Also, we must say that if you have any concerns about your PdG levels or anything else related to your health, we always recommend talking with your doctor regardless of Proov results. The below suggestions are not intended to be or replace medical advice!
Seed Cycling
Recommend trying if just 1 out of 4 Proov test is negative or 2 out of 4 are slightly negative (sightly negative you can see a faint second line, but it’s quite a bit lighter than your baseline)
Seed cycling is one way how to fix low progesterone naturally. It involves eating different seeds during different stages of your cycle to encourage the production of estrogen and progesterone when they are supposed to present during the cycle. During the follicular phase (days 1-14 of your cycle, day one being the first day of your period), you should eat fresh ground flax and raw pumpkin seeds, which promote estrogen production. In the luteal phase (days 15-28), you swap out your flax and pumpkin seeds for raw sunflower and sesame seeds, which promote progesterone production.
Seed cycling is an easy way to balance your hormones and promote progesterone production. Some easy ways to incorporate seeds into your diet include mixing them into smoothies or sprinkling them on salads.
Learn more about how to seed cycle.
Diet
Recommend trying if just 1 out of 4 Proov test is negative or 2 out of 4 are slightly negative (slightly negative = you can see a faint second line, but it’s quite a bit lighter than your baseline)
Changing up your diet is a simple way to know how to increase progesterone levels. While food doesn’t directly contain progesterone, there are several foods which increase progesterone production, including beans, broccoli, pumpkin, and spinach.
5 ways to naturally increase progesterone
Herbals
Recommend trying if 2 out of 4 Proov tests are negative
There are several herbs to encourage progesterone production. The most common is vitex, or chasteberry. Other options include red raspberry leaf, which is most often found in tea form, and maca. These herbs can be effective and are typically easy to find. Many fertility teas and supplements contain ingredients like vitex and maca - just check the ingredients!
Prescription Supplements
To be prescribed by a doctor; please discuss with a medical professional if you never get a positive Proov test or only get 1 positive during the 4 day testing window or if you have any concerns about your health in general!
Bio-identical progesterone is widely available and is a great option for treating low progesterone. You will need a prescription-level supplement from your doctor, which is a strong dose. Progesterone supplements are most effective at preparing the body for conception when taken right after ovulation.
Starting with seeds, some progesterone boosting foods, or a fertility tea? Track progesterone cycle to cycle with Proov to see how these changes are making a difference!
