What is progesterone and why do we need it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone. But it is necessary not only for expectant mothers.

What is progesterone

Progesterone Progesterone and Progestins are one of two key female hormones (estrogen is the other). This is a steroid hormone, that is, one that actively regulates the work of the human body.

The main task of progesterone is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy, to give the fertilized egg the opportunity to gain a foothold and begin to develop into a future person.

But the hormone is important not only for women. Small amounts of progesterone are also produced in men.

Why do you need progesterone

Women

The level of this steroid hormone in the body is unstable. It rises and falls. And this is normal, because in this way the body controls several important processes at once.

This is what the female body uses progesterone for.

For conception

This process is regulated by both progesterone and estrogen in equal measure. In the first (follicular) phase of the female menstrual cycle, which begins at the start of menstruation and lasts until ovulation, the Menstrual Cycle dominates estrogen, and progesterone is at a low level. This continues until ovulation.

As soon as the egg is released from the ovary, a temporary endocrine gland is formed in it - the so-called corpus luteum (luteal). The luteal phase of the cycle begins when the corpus luteum is actively producing progesterone.

The level of this hormone rises sharply. This leads Progesterone to thickening of the endometrium - the lining of the uterus, which, after successful conception, takes in the ovum. Also, progesterone blocks possible contractions of the uterus so that it does not push the prepared loose endometrium out of itself.

If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum dies. The level of progesterone falls, the uterus pushes out of itself the endometrium that has lost hormonal support - menstruation occurs.

For the development of pregnancy

If the egg has been fertilized and fixed in the uterus, the corpus luteum receives a signal to continue working and produce progesterone. The level of the hormone remains high, under its action, blood vessels actively develop, which feed both the endometrium and the ovum that has descended into it.

The corpus luteum dies after about 16-18 weeks, but the formed placenta begins to hold the level of progesterone.

To start labor

Shortly before delivery, progesterone production declines. This causes the uterus to contract. The process of giving birth to a child starts.

To start lactation

High progesterone levels inhibit Breastfeeding Background - Community Health Training Institute production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. As soon as progesterone decreases, lactation begins.

Men

The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of progesterone in men.

In the male body, this hormone does not play such an important role as Progesterone in the female body, so its level is relatively stable. However, progesterone is still needed: is it involved Progesterone: the forgotten hormone in men? - PubMed in the maturation of sperm, the production of some other hormones, affects the quality of sleep, the functioning of the heart, kidneys, immune and nervous systems, and a lack of it can lead to weight gain.

Why you need to determine the level of progesterone

A blood test for progesterone is necessary in such cases of Progesterone:

• If a woman fails to get pregnant. A doctor may order a progesterone test several times during a monthly cycle to make sure that ovulation and luteal phase are on time and are normal.
• When it is necessary to establish precisely that ovulation has occurred. This is important, for example, if doctors specifically stimulate the release of an egg from the ovary with medication.
• When there is a suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy or a threat of miscarriage.
• If there is a risk of premature birth. In this case, the analysis for progesterone of the pregnant woman is done regularly, every few days. If suddenly the level of the hormone begins to decrease, the woman will be prescribed replacement therapy - taking synthetic progesterone.
• For abnormal uterine bleeding in non-pregnant women.
• With amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
• If there is a suspicion of adrenal gland disease in men.

What is the rate of progesterone

The Progesterone Rate for Men Test ID: PGSN Progesterone, Serum is less than 20 ng / ml.

For women, the situation is more complicated. The normal level of the hormone depends on the phase of the monthly cycle or the duration of pregnancy.

• In the first half of the menstrual cycle before ovulation: less than 0.89 ng / ml.
• During ovulation: less than 12 ng / ml.
• After ovulation: 1, 8-24 ng / ml.
• In the first trimester of pregnancy: 11–44 ng / ml.
• In the second trimester of pregnancy: 25–83 ng / ml.
• In the third trimester of pregnancy: 58-214 ng / ml.

Note that the reference range may vary, depending on the particular laboratory and the reagents it uses. And in any case, only your doctor can evaluate the results of the analysis for the level of progesterone. Self-diagnosis and even more so self-medication are unacceptable.