Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body. It is released by the ovaries. Unbalanced progesterone levels can lead to abnormal menstrual periods, difficulty getting pregnant, and an increase in menopausal symptoms. Progesterone is made synthetically in a laboratory and this kind is commonly referred to as progestin. Progestin is used in birth control pills and other hormonal preparations. In a laboratory, wild yam and soy are used to help make natural progesterone.

However, eating wild yam or soy will not boost your progesterone levels. Progesterone is used to help with many different female issues including menstrual periods, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding from a hormonal imbalance, severe PMS, menopause symptoms, and as a part of hormone replacement therapy. It is also given to women to help decrease the risk of miscarriage and help prevent premature delivery. Progesterone has also been used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms from certain drugs such as benzodiazepines.