Progesterone in Pregnancy: 3 Powerful Role

Introduction

Progesterone is a hormone that recreates a vital role in the reproductive system. Hormones are chemical couriers that tell your body how to work. It is a hormone that plays a big part in reproduction. It’s made mainly in the ovaries, and the level fluctuates with your menstrual period. There is less Progesterone after menopause. Adrenal glands and testes also make Progesterone. In men and people with testes, Progesterone helps produce sperm and male hormones.

What is the role of Progesterone in pregnancy?

1. It is understood as the “pregnancy hormone.”
2. It helps the fertilized egg be implanted in the uterus to confirm a pregnancy and help support a healthy pregnancy.
3. During pregnancy, women naturally produce Progesterone in the ovaries, the placenta, and the adrenal glands, ensuring the necessary hormonal help for a healthy pregnancy. However, fertility therapies such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) often offer Progesterone because the medicines used in the procedure reduce a woman’s natural production of the hormone.

Progesterone in pregnancy

If an egg is fertilized by sperm & conception happens, the corpus luteum continues to deliver Progesterone, maintaining a thick and nutrient-rich uterine lining for the embryo. Once the placenta forms, it takes over the production of Progesterone, ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Progesterone levels rise each trimester during pregnancy, reaching their higher level in the third trimester (weeks 28 – 40 of pregnancy). Its levels fall in the years, showing up to menopause when ovulation stops.

Importance of Progesterone in pregnancy

Progesterone is crucial in supporting a pregnancy because it thickens the uterine lining. A thick uterine lining allows a fertilized egg to grow into an embryo and a fetus.

Its levels continue to rise during pregnancy. High progesterone levels control the body from ovulating while you’re pregnant. It also stops uterine contractions, which permits you to avoid preterm labour. Eventually, it supports your breasts in preparing for breastfeeding (chestfeeding).

Because it is so essential in keeping the early stages of pregnancy, low progesterone classes may make it difficult for you to conceive. They may put you at higher risk for miscarriage.

Benefits of Progesterone

Progesterone, as the primary female sex hormone, plays a crucial role in preventing uterine overgrowth. It counteracts the refreshing effect of estrogen, turning tissue growth to other areas and thereby supporting a healthy uterine environment.

Progesterone vs. estrogen

Like Progesterone, estrogen is a hormone that plays an essential role in reproductive health. Estrogen is partly responsible for the development of secondary sex traits such as breasts and hips, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Progesterone Form

Vaginal suppositories:

• Widely used but are not FDA-approved
• Wax-based
• Used up to 2-3 times a day
• Leakage can be messy.
• Compounded by specialty pharmacists

Vaginal gel:

• It is the only once-daily FDA-approved Progesterone for ART for up to twelve weeks of pregnancy.
• It’s used once a day for progesterone supplementation.
• It is also the only FDA-approved Progesterone for replacement for donor egg recipients and donor egg transfers.
• Some discharge was reported during the use.

Vaginal inserts:

• FDA-approved for progesterone supplementation but not for progesterone replacement
• used 2 to 3 times a day
• Effective in women under 35 years

Injections:

• Widely used; the oldest, most established method for progesterone delivery
• Injections may be painful
• Requires a long, thick needle to penetrate layers of fat and skin
• injected into the buttocks once a day
• Difficult to administer by yourself

Uses of Progesterone

It does several things, including:

• Thickening the lining of the uterus (womb) for implantation.
• Supporting a pregnancy once conception occurs.
• Regulating bleeding during menstruation.
• Helping to improve your mood.
• Supporting thyroid function.
• Supporting lactation.

Progesterone in pregnancy level

Progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. They rise after ovulation and resume rising if pregnancy occurs. The healthcare provider is the best person to determine the progesterone group, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle or if you’re pregnant.

Can certain foods naturally increase Progesterone in pregnancy?

Although research is limited, foods containing specific vitamins may help support healthy progesterone levels. These include:

• Zinc: Beef, shellfish, cashews, chickpeas, lentils and eggs.
• Vitamin B: Carrots, spinach, walnuts and poultry (chicken and turkey).
• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries and broccoli.
• Magnesium: Green vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans.

Progesterone supplementation can help maintain a healthy pregnancy. A doctor will monitor its levels to ensure the patient absorbs enough of the hormone—foods to increase its level.

• Dark chocolate
• Nuts, such as almonds, brazil nuts, and cashews
• Tofu
• Avocados
• Legumes
• Fish, such as salmon
• Eggs
• Sweet potatoes

Progesterone in pregnancy symptoms

It is a hormone that supports a baby in early pregnancy. It can cause several symptoms, including:

• Bloating: It can cause bloating and feelings of fullness by increasing gas in the stomach.
• Breast tenderness: Hormonal changes can cause breast tenderness during pregnancy.
• Headaches: It can cause headaches and migraines.
• Mood changes: It can affect mood and cause depression.
• Urinary problems: Pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume can cause frequent urination.
• Dizziness: Faintness or dizziness can occur when the body doesn’t produce enough blood to fill the circulatory system.
• Heartburn: It can cause heartburn, vomiting, reflux, gas, and constipation.
• Hot flashes: It can cause hot flashes, night sweats, and cold flashes.
• Vaginal dryness: It can cause vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex.

Its levels can also cause symptoms similar to those experienced before a period.

Progesterone in pregnancy dose

Talking with your healthcare provider is essential when deciding what supplementation is best for you.

Progesterone in pregnancy’s first, second and third trimester

During the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, the corpus luteum controls progesterone production. After that, the placenta carries over. If progesterone levels are low, there is a higher chance of miscarriage and preterm delivery. Its levels rise throughout pregnancy and peak in the third trimester.

Its levels increase throughout pregnancy, peaking in the third trimester. This hormone helps support a healthy pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining, preparing the breasts for milk production, and preventing preterm labour.

Progesterone in pregnancy’s First trimester

• Progesterone levels increase exponentially during the first trimester
• The canon luteum, a cyst on the ovary, delivers Progesterone during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy

Progesterone in pregnancy’s the Second trimester

• Its levels range from 17–146 ng/ml
• The placenta takes over progesterone production between 8 and 12 weeks

Progesterone in pregnancy’s the Third trimester

• Its levels range from 49–300 ng/ml
• Its levels peak in the third trimester, which is weeks 28 to 40 of pregnancy

Low Progesterone in pregnancy

Low Progesterone in pregnancy can make it challenging to maintain a pregnancy and increase the risk of complications. It helps keep the uterine lining, which allows the fetus to grow.

• Low progesterone levels may make it harder to conceive and increase the risk of miscarriage
• Progesterone therapy may decrease the risk of miscarriage in women who have had multiple miscarriages

Side Effects

It can cause several side effects, including:

• Breast pain: Pain or tenderness in the breasts
• Headache: Headaches can be a side effect of Progesterone
• Mood swings: It can cause mood swings, irritability, or depression
• Vaginal discharge: It can cause vaginal discharge, bleeding, or irritation
• Bloating: Bloating is a common side effect of Progesterone
• Nausea: Nausea and vomiting can be side effects of Progesterone
• Dizziness: Dizziness and drowsiness can be side effects of Progesterone
• Skin changes: It can cause skin changes like rash, redness, hives, or dark patches
• Swelling: It can occur in the face, lips, hands, feet, or ankles
• Pain: Pain can occur in the stomach, side, abdomen, back, joints, or muscles
• Urination: It can cause problems urinating, including burning or painful urination

You should contact your doctor if any of these side effects are severe or don’t go away. You should also contact your doctor if you experience any serious side effects, such as:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Mental or mood changes like depression or memory loss
• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Breast lumps
• Yellowing eyes or skin
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Unusual tiredness

Conclusion

Progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. They rise after ovulation and resume rising if pregnancy occurs. It is a hormone that recreates a vital role in the reproductive system. Hormones are chemical couriers that tell your body how to work. It is a hormone that plays a big part in reproduction. It’s made mainly in the ovaries, and the level fluctuates with your menstrual period. There is less Progesterone after menopause. The healthcare provider is the best person to determine the progesterone group, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle or if you’re pregnant.