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.
PdG is a new acronym that has shown up quite recently and is thrown about the fertility world rather often. However, do you really know what PdG is, and why it’s important? In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the importance of this hormone metabolite and why it’s essential if you are trying to get pregnant!
PdG, aka the Urine Marker of Progesterone
Let’s back up a little bit – knowing the foundations of your hormones is really going to be the key to helping you conceive as quickly as possible.
One hormone that is the “queen bee” per se, is progesterone! Progesterone, also called the “pregnancy hormone” is an essential part of trying to conceive, as well as helping to regulate your cycle.
After ovulation occurs, the corpus luteum – which is created after a follicle collapses – begins to produce progesterone in order to prepare your uterine lining for implantation, should an egg become fertilized. Additionally, testing your progesterone levels after ovulation will give you an indication as to if ovulation actually occurred, and if it was considered “successful” enough to have an egg become implanted.
Progesterone is a key player during the second half of your phase, the luteal phase. About 7 days after peak fertility, the hormone will spike.
Since normal cycles for people can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days, there isn’t always a set cycle day for which you can test your progesterone levels. This is why testing your urine marker of progesterone, PdG is super helpful!
PdG, the short name for Pregnanediol Glucuronide, is what is excreted in our urine after progesterone has been circulated through our blood and is metabolized by our kidneys. PdG levels directly coincide with progesterone levels since once progesterone is elevated, so is PdG.
Testing Progesterone
Did you know that low progesterone and issues with ovulation cause up to 25% of infertility cases? Your progesterone has such immense effects on your body, therefore knowing these levels can help you decode some issues you may be experiencing, or help you get pregnant in a more timely manner. Low levels of progesterone can cause some symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, cramping, significant mood changes, and spotting before your period.
However, you can certainly test these progesterone levels through a blood serum test. These tests are performed by the doctor, however, oftentimes they lack in providing the full scope of what’s going on. Let’s dive in.
Blood tests for progesterone, only give you a snapshot of these levels at one point in time. This is because progesterone levels can fluctuate rapidly – up to 8-fold within just 90 minutes. Therefore, taking one single blood test at one time of the day can give you an inaccurate idea of what your progesterone levels actually are. This can incredibly deceiving, especially if you’re trying to get pregnant!
Testing with PdG
Now that you know the truth about progesterone levels, you may be thinking “Okay, then how do I accurately measure my levels?” And to that question, we got you covered! Remember when we mentioned PdG in the beginning? This marker is going to be your answer to correctly measuring this hormone in a cost-effective way.
Introducing Proov Confirm PdG tests: these tests allow you to measure the progesterone metabolite in a way that will provide you with the full picture of what’s going on in your body. Proov is the first and only FDA-cleared PdG test kit to check for successful ovulation from home.
Most people do not know this, but a regular ovulation test – one that measures your LH (luteinizing hormone) – will only predict that ovulation will occur. It cannot give you any data as to if the event did actually happen.
Therefore, testing your PdG can give you an indication as to whether you ovulated or not; and, after all, if ovulation does not occur then there is no chance that pregnancy can happen.
Proov’s technology measures PdG during the implantation window (days 7-10 past peak fertility) can provide a more accurate and full picture of the success of your ovulation.
You’ve already read the term “successful ovulation” previously, but do you know what that really means? This category of ovulation refers to high enough PdG levels during the allotted implantation window when the hormone should be elevated.
You can check for successful ovulation with Proov Confirm.
What if my PdG levels are low?
In almost every case, since each body is incredibly different, we first recommend speaking with your doctor if your PdG tests seem to consistently be negative. However, after doing so, there are some natural ways to try and increase your PdG levels!
Here are some natural ways to increase your PdG:
- Diet: Some don’t know this, but there have been some foods to be found that carry properties to increase progesterone production. Some of these include pumpkin, kale, nuts, and much more!
- Seed Cycling: This method is relatively easy, and can get your hormones balanced in a very natural way. Seed cycling involves rotating 4 different types of seeds around your menstrual cycle in order to maintain balance and harmony within your body. During the first phase of your cycle, you will eat 2 tablespoons daily of flax and pumpkin seeds. Then during the second half of your cycle, you will eat 2 tablespoons daily of sesame and sunflower seeds.
- Herbal supplements: Supplementing with herbs such as vitex, maca, and ashwagandha, can in fact help boost your PdG levels. However, we always recommend speaking with your doctor prior to starting this method!
If natural remedies are not your calling, then there is always the alternative to talk with your doctor about progesterone supplements and or using ovulation medication. Of course, not every treatment is a perfect solution, and some mixing and testing will always be necessary.
In the end, understanding the basics of PdG sets you up for success in your body. Whether you are actively trying to conceive or trying to subdue PMS, knowing these levels will help you understand the full picture of your body.
