One of the most important “female” hormones is traditionally considered to be progesterone, a steroid hormone of the progestogen group, which has a very broad complex effect on the woman’s body. In addition to its direct effect on the female body, progesterone is an important link in the synthesis of other hormones of endogenous origin, including a number of sex hormones and corticosteroids.
Despite such a large-scale role of progesterone, modern medicine Not everyone knows about him. Its functions, the reasons for changes in levels in the body and the prerequisites for the growth of normative indicators remain not fully studied. We’ll talk about what we can say for sure regarding progesterone.
Progesterone is synthesized in two organs in the body: corpus luteum(temporary secretory gland, which is formed during the postovulation period) and adrenal glands. Thanks to the hormone produced by the corpus luteum, there is an increase in the secretory activity of the endometrium and an increase in vascularization - the process of formation of new blood vessels. Thanks to these processes, the inner mucous membrane of the uterus is brought into a state of readiness to receive a fertilized egg and the mobility of the uterus itself slows down. That is, the female body is preparing for pregnancy. In addition to the corpus luteum and adrenal glands, the placenta also synthesizes progesterone. This happens mainly during pregnancy. We will talk more about this stage of synthesis below.
Functions of progesterone
We have already noted that progesterone has an extremely broad effect on the female body. Let's look at its main functions in more detail:
| Direction of influence | Main functions |
| Reproductive system | A number of doctors give progesterone another name - “pregnancy hormone”. Thanks to it, the uterus is prepared for conception. In addition, after fertilization, progesterone reduces the intensity of the female body’s immune response, which helps avoid embryo rejection. During childbirth, progesterone levels drop in female body helps to ease their course, and after childbirth, a decrease in the volume of hormone synthesis is a prerequisite for the onset of lactation. |
| Hormonal balance | Progesterone has a fairly serious effect on the synthesis of other hormones. We have already mentioned sex hormones and corticosteroids. In addition, progesterone imbalance can affect the activity of aldosterone, a hormone of the adrenal cortex, as well as the functioning of estrogens, in particular in breast tissue. |
| Leather | The functions of progesterone in this direction are a rather controversial statement, but a number of doctors accept them as an axiom. It is believed that the presence of progesterone receptors in skin forms a close relationship between the hormone and the skin. A drop in its level can lead to an increase in the number of wrinkles, as well as a decrease in the strength and elasticity of the skin. This statement is partly proven by the fact that hormone therapy with the use of progesterone-containing drugs, in the vast majority of cases it has a positive effect on the quality of the skin. |
| central nervous system | Progesterone is partially synthesized in the central nervous system and, according to international classification, it is classified as an endogenous steroid. In addition, the synthesis of progesterone is a prerequisite for the production of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid quite important for the body. |
| Sexual behavior | There is an opinion that progesterone, coupled with the aforementioned allopregnanolone, increases sexual desire in the female body. In addition, a number of studies conducted by Dr. Diana Fleischman have demonstrated some relationship between high levels of progesterone and a tendency to engage in homosexual relationships. But this theory did not gain acceptance in medicine. |
Norms of progesterone content in the female body
Like everything related to progesterone, standard indicators of its content in the body are a concept that has not been fully studied and is quite vague. There are four tables of norms for progesterone levels in women:
- by phase menstrual cycle,
- by phase of the menstrual cycle for women using hormonal contraceptives,
- by days of the menstrual cycle,
- by trimester of pregnancy.
Let's look at them separately.
Norms of progesterone content in the female body by phase of the menstrual cycle
Norms of progesterone content in the female body by phase of the menstrual cycle for women using hormonal contraceptives
Norms of progesterone content in the female body by day of the menstrual cycle
Norms of progesterone content in the female body by trimester of pregnancy
Looking at the numbers in the four tables, several conclusions can be drawn. Firstly, medicine recognizes very wide regulatory ranges for progesterone levels. This is due to the fact that the amount of the hormone changes in the body almost constantly and depends on many factors:
- time of day,
- emotional state,
- physical activity,
- lifestyle.
Moreover, none of these factors is pathological, and even a serious increase in progesterone levels, if several of them coincide, is not a sign of pathology.
Secondly, we clearly see a rapid increase in progesterone during pregnancy. This only confirms the statement that progesterone is the “pregnancy hormone” and that it is extremely important in a woman’s reproductive function.
And thirdly, the given figures show that the analysis for progesterone should be studied exclusively by a doctor. There can be no talk of any self-diagnosis. Even very high numbers in the results laboratory research may be a consequence of just the individual characteristics of the female body.
Symptoms of high progesterone in women
An increase in the level of progesterone in the body does not have clear specific manifestations and only laboratory analysis and consultation with a specialist can definitely detect this disorder. At the same time, there are a number of symptoms that are generally believed to appear with high progesterone:
- a significant amount of acne on the skin,
- abundant hairline on the body,
- unreasonable weight gain,
- general fatigue, often accompanied by stress and depression,
- more frequent allergic reactions body,
- fairly bright and regular headaches,
- seemingly causeless changes blood pressure round trip,
- breast tenderness,
- problems with the menstrual cycle,
- vaginal discharge with blood stains.
At the same time, we note once again: all these signs are nonspecific. It is impossible to make a diagnosis based on them alone. But the manifestation of several of them is a clear message for taking a test for progesterone in order to identify the development of a probable pathology on early stage and eliminate it without consequences.
Pathological causes of increased progesterone in women
There are only a few pathologies that are manifested by an increase in progesterone levels. The most common among them is congenital disorder functioning of the adrenal cortex. This disease leads to disruption of the synthesis of many hormones by the adrenal glands. Some of them are produced in insufficient quantities, and some, including progesterone, in excess.
Almost the entire hormonal composition also increases during hydatidiform mole, a pregnancy pathology that results from the fertilization of an egg by a pair of sperm, or by defective maternal material. Against the background of hydatidiform mole, the level of progesterone is high even compared to the norms of this hormone during pregnancy. This pathology requires quite serious and timely therapy, including chemotherapy, since its development can lead to the formation of malignant neoplasms.
Another pathology that is manifested by an increase in progesterone levels is ovarian cancer. Therefore, high-quality research and qualified medical consultation are necessary for such an analysis.
Ways to reduce progesterone levels
Therapy aimed at reducing progesterone levels should be used only when confirmed pathological nature this manifestation. It is mainly necessary to exclude pregnancy, since any effect on hormonal background during this period can lead to very unpleasant consequences.
Drug effects on high progesterone can be carried out with the following drugs:
| A drug | Price | Description |
| Tamoxifen | from 280 rub. | Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors and interferes with the formation of female sex hormones. |
| Mifepristone | from 1300 rub. | Synthetic steroidal antiprogestogen drug. Its effect on progesterone production is based on blocking progesterone receptors. |
| Valproic acid | from 410 rub. | Derivative fatty acids. Its action is based on changing the properties of sodium channels and increasing levels gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. |
| Clomiphene | from 980 rub. | A non-steroidal anti-estrogen that interacts with estrogen receptors located in the ovaries and pituitary gland. |
Besides drug therapy, limiting the consumption of a number of foods will also help normalize progesterone levels:
- nuts,
- legumes,
- dairy products,
- beef and poultry meat.
However, the exclusion of these products is not independent method, and is used as an adjunct to drug therapy.
It is also believed that mint helps lower high progesterone. Tea from this plant should be drunk up to three times a day.
Natural procreation would be impossible if the female body did not produce the hormone progesterone. An increase or decrease in its level significantly affects a woman’s health, her ability to bear and give birth to a child. What kind of hormone is this, what are its functions in the body and why progesterone levels change throughout life, we will find out further.
What is progesterone and its functions
Progesterone is a steroid sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries, the adrenal cortex and the placenta (during pregnancy). He is responsible for successful conception, childbearing and breastfeeding. Progesterone is also an agonist of some receptors and stimulates liver enzymes.
But still the main role hormone - maintaining pregnancy. Thanks to it, processes occur in the endometrium of the uterus that prepare it for possible conception, and subsequently prepare the woman’s body for childbirth and breastfeeding(if pregnancy has occurred).
The “pregnancy hormone” (as progesterone is often called) performs the following functions related to fetal development:
- changes the condition of the uterine mucosa to successfully attach a fertilized egg to the overgrown endometrium;
- reduces the body’s immune response, which prevents it from “rejecting” the embryo (protects against miscarriage);
- reduces the contractility of the uterine muscles, which also allows you to maintain pregnancy;
- responsible for stretching the uterus in accordance with the size of the fetus;
- forms an additional fat layer on the woman’s abdomen, protecting the uterus and the child developing in it from mechanical influences;
- participates in preparation pelvic bones women in labor for childbirth;
- maintains a stable level of blood viscosity and blood sugar levels in the expectant mother;
- prepares the tissues and ducts of the mammary glands for lactation.
A drop in progesterone levels in a pregnant woman’s body leads to childbirth and becomes a signal to start breastfeeding.
The hormone is also responsible for the normal menstrual cycle (alternating ovulation and menstruation) and stops it for the period of gestation if the egg has been fertilized.
The biological role of progesterone in the body is not limited to reproductive functions. It is responsible for a number of several more important processes:
- for sexual attraction;
- for normal brain functioning (as a neurosteroid);
- for secreting skin secretions and maintaining youthful skin.
The maternal instinct is also formed under the influence of this particular hormone.
What affects progesterone levels
Progesterone levels are unstable in different periods life. It depends on the woman’s age and the phase of the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy, hormone levels in the blood increase hundreds of times.
During the follicular phase monthly cycle(before ovulation) the hormone is produced only by the adrenal cortex - its level in the blood is minimal. But after ovulation, a corpus luteum forms in the ovary, which begins to produce progesterone - the level of the hormone increases sharply and remains so until the onset of menstruation. Its production depends on luteinizing hormone, which stimulates ovulation.
If pregnancy occurs, then the production of the hormone continues to increase and reaches a peak in the third trimester (from 17-18 weeks it is produced by the placenta).
The synthesis of progesterone is affected by the work of the female reproductive system, in particular the corpus luteum, a gland that reappears every menstrual cycle. Infections, stress, medication, and even strenuous physical activity can disrupt hormone production. But it often happens that its production can be disrupted and even more serious reasons– disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system.
The consequences of increased or insufficient progesterone synthesis are dangerous: menstrual irregularities, difficulties conceiving a child, and problems during pregnancy. Therefore, if you suspect a change in the concentration of the hormone in the body, it is necessary to take a blood test and identify the causes of pathologies.
What is the normal level of progesterone?
The hormone does not have a stable indicator, since its level depends on many factors. The so-called reference values (lower and upper limit) for each phase of the menstrual cycle, within which deviations in its concentration in the blood are considered normal.
For non-pregnant women, the following indicators are considered normal:
- 0.3 – 0.22 nmol/l – in the first (follicular) phase of the cycle (1-14 days of the cycle);
- 0.5 – 9.5 nmol/l – during the period of ovulation (14-16 days);
- 7 – 56.6 nmol/l – in the luteal phase (16-30 days of the cycle).
During menopause, the hormone content in the blood of women is at the level of 0.64 nmol/l.
It happens that the test result for progesterone is given in other units of measurement (in ng/ml). To convert units of measurement you need to use the formulas:
- ng/ml ∙ 3.18 = progesterone level nmol/l;
- nmol/l ∙ 0.314 = ng/ml.
It should be taken into account that laboratories use different sets of reagents for blood tests and different methods for determining progesterone levels. Therefore, hormone concentrations in the same woman on the same day of the cycle may vary in different laboratories. Comparisons of test results should always be based on data from the same laboratory.
Progesterone during pregnancy. Hormone norm by week
For pregnant women, other reference values have been determined. Progesterone concentration varies depending on the period:
- 1 – 13 weeks (I trimester) – 9-468 nmol/l;
- 14 – 26 weeks (II trimester) – 71.5-303 nmol/l;
- 27 – 40 weeks (III trimester) – 88.7-771.5 nmol/l.
If the test results differ greatly from those given, do not immediately sound the alarm. It is possible that other methods and reagents are used in this medical institution, so the values do not fall within the established range.
You need to be guided by the standards of the laboratory in which the analysis was taken (as a rule, each institution has its own). The individual characteristics of the woman are also taken into account, as well as the medications that are used expectant mother at the time of the analysis.
Causes of increased progesterone. How to downgrade
If a blood test for progesterone levels shows increased value, there may be several reasons for this. If a non-pregnant woman does not take medications that affect the concentration of the hormone, this most often occurs due to endocrine disorders or gynecological diseases:
- congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex (adrenogenital syndrome);
- tumors or hyperplasia of the adrenal glands;
- ovarian neoplasms (cysts, cystomas);
- choriocarcenomas (uterine cancer);
- hyperprolactinemia (dysfunctional milk secretion and cessation of menstruation).
It happens that the hormone level increases when renal failure, uterine bleeding or cirrhosis of the liver.
The level of progesterone during pregnancy increases with:
- hydatidiform mole (a pathology associated with the defective function of egg fertilization and characterized by the growth of chorionic villi in the form of bubbles);
- delayed maturation of the placenta;
- fetoplacental insufficiency (a complex of morphofunctional disorders of the fetus and placenta);
- multiple pregnancy.
An increase in progesterone concentrations in women requires a comprehensive examination to identify the causes. After diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment tactics to normalize the hormone level. Along with medications(Clomiphene, Mifepreston, Tamoxifen), it is recommended to change lifestyle (abstain from bad habits, establish a work-rest regime) and pay attention to nutrition (reduce the proportion of protein products and refuse food with high content saturated fat).
You can also use folk recipes to reduce hormone levels and use the following infusions:
- red rowan (1 tablespoon of dry berries, pour a glass of boiling water and consume 1/3 glass three times a day);
- Borovaya uterus (1 tbsp. crushed stems per 1 tbsp. water), drink half a glass in the morning and evening;
- red brush and cloves (for 1.2 liters of boiling water, take 6 tsp of carnation flowers and 1 tablespoon of red brush, bring to a boil, let cool and take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals).
The use of traditional medicine recipes for elevated progesterone is possible only after consulting a specialist.
Causes of low progesterone. How to level up
A decrease in progesterone concentration in non-pregnant women is observed with the following pathologies:
- dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
- dysfunction of the corpus luteum (insufficiency of the second (luteal) phase);
- chronic inflammatory diseases genitals;
- reception medicines, lowering the level of the hormone in the blood;
- gynecological diseases (fibroids, endometriosis);
- strict diets and poor unbalanced nutrition.
A woman's decreased levels of the hormone may indicate the onset of menopause.
During pregnancy, the level of progesterone decreases when:
- too much rapid resorption corpus luteum (normally it should resolve only by 16-17 weeks);
- placental insufficiency;
- severe stress affecting the functioning of the reproductive system;
- post-term (more than 41 weeks).
Prescribing medications (Utrozhestan, Inzhesta, Crinon gel, Duphaston) helps normalize the production of progesterone. It is also recommended to increase the proportion of foods containing proteins and cholesterol in the diet. They do not contain the hormone, but help stimulate its production in the body. Of no small importance is the normalization of the psycho-emotional state of pregnant women, increasing the number of hours of sleep and rest.
From folk remedies Plant infusions help increase progesterone levels:
- Pour 1 liter of boiling water over plantain seeds (1 tbsp) and mantle grass (2 tbsp), leave for 1 hour and take half a glass 3 times a day;
- wild yam and raspberry leaves (1 tablespoon of each plant in 0.5 liters of water, boil and drink instead of tea).
Independent use of medications or folk remedies to increase progesterone synthesis without consulting a doctor is unacceptable.
Consequences of abnormal progesterone levels
An increase or decrease in the concentration of progesterone in the blood in both pregnant and non-pregnant women can have serious consequences.
During pregnancy reduced level hormone often leads to miscarriage - spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. This may also result in delays intrauterine development child and premature birth.
An increased level of the hormone is dangerous due to delayed maturation of the placenta and disruption of the functioning of the fetoplacental complex, which affects the physical and mental health of the unborn child.
In non-pregnant women, abnormal progesterone levels affect the regularity and length of the menstrual cycle.
An increase in hormone concentration threatens the following conditions:
- secondary amenorrhea (lack of menstruation);
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding with an extended second phase of the cycle:
- hirsutism (increased body hair);
- the appearance of pimples and acne that are difficult to treat;
- swelling.
Often, a violation of progesterone production is associated with abnormal synthesis of other sex hormones, so the signs and consequences of this can be varied, and other symptoms are added.
A decrease in hormone levels leads to:
- to the absence of ovulation and acyclic uterine bleeding;
- to primary or secondary amenorrhea;
- to long-term painful menstruation(sometimes with a rise in temperature);
- to severe premenstrual syndrome;
- to difficulties with conception (due to insufficiency of the luteal phase and underdevelopment of the corpus luteum);
- infertility.
If you suspect a violation of the production of progesterone in the body, you must take an analysis of its level (necessarily over time) and, in case of abnormal results, undergo the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Tests for progesterone levels and indications for them
Currently for diagnostic purposes endocrine pathologies In laboratories, tests are carried out to determine the level of free progesterone and the level of the hormone 17OH progesterone in the blood. These are two different hormones (despite the similar name) and they are produced by different glands:
- the hormone 17OH progesterone is synthesized by the adrenal cortex;
- free progesterone - by the corpus luteum of the ovary or placenta (in pregnant women).
Both hormones influence the normal functioning of the female reproductive system, so for full diagnostics If you have problems with conception or menstrual irregularities, you need to take a test for both hormones. To assess the progress of pregnancy and to diagnose its pathologies, women are usually prescribed a blood test only for the level of free progesterone.
Indications for prescribing a progesterone test are:
- menstrual irregularities;
- suspected ectopic pregnancy;
- risk of miscarriage;
- determination of ovulation when planning pregnancy;
- diagnosis of infertility;
- absence of menstruation in non-pregnant women of childbearing age;
- disruption of the activity of the corpus luteum;
- control over the condition of the placenta during pregnancy;
- ovarian cyst or tumor detected on ultrasound;
- adrenal tumors;
- assessment of the effectiveness of treatment with progesterone drugs;
- at congenital pathologies adrenal glands
A progesterone test is not mandatory and is not usually performed as part of routine testing for pregnant women unless the pregnancy is progressing normally or the woman has not had more than two previous miscarriages or missed pregnancies.
At 40-42 weeks, doctors can prescribe a woman a progesterone test in order to differentiate between post-term and prolonged pregnancy.
If the level of progesterone in the blood is below the norm for the third trimester, this will indicate postmaturity and the need for urgent labor induction or caesarean section to minimize negative consequences for fetal health.
If the level of progesterone in the blood at 41-42 weeks is within the normal range for the third trimester, then there is a prolonged pregnancy. In this case, you can calmly wait for the natural onset of labor.
How to take a progesterone test correctly (preparation, what day of the cycle to take)
Diagnosis of diseases will be correct if the progesterone test is performed correctly. To ensure this, several rules must be taken into account and followed.
- Blood testing for progesterone levels should only be done on an empty stomach. A 14-hour fast is recommended before taking the test. IN as a last resort, the period without water can be 8 hours. During this period, you can only drink water. Juices, tea and other drinks are excluded.
- The best time to take the test is in the morning (from 8.00 to 10.00). At this time, the concentration of the hormone in the blood is at its maximum level. At other hours there may be a slight deviation of the analysis parameters from the norm. If the test is taken several times, it must be taken at the same time.
- 2-3 days before the test, try not to take any medications (except for vital ones). You must inform the laboratory assistant and doctor about taking any medications.
- The day before blood sampling, you should avoid heavy physical activity, do not be nervous and do not drink alcohol, strong coffee or tea.
- 12 hours (or at least 2-3 hours before the test) stop smoking.
- Immediately before donating blood, it is advisable to rest and relax for half an hour indoors medical institution(clinics, laboratories).
Women should donate blood for progesterone on certain days of the menstrual cycle:
Analysis of hormone levels should always be carried out over time. This is the only way to accurately diagnose a particular disease or pathology during pregnancy.
Blood tests for progesterone levels can be taken in private laboratories on a commercial basis or in government ones medical institutions that have laboratories that perform such research. In government institutions, a hormone test can be taken with a doctor’s referral free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
The full development of the fetus, the reproductive health of the expectant mother, is determined by the rate of progesterone during pregnancy week by week.
The table shows the hormone concentrations that create favorable conditions for bearing a child:
| Week of pregnancy | Concentration in ng/ml | Concentration in nmol/l |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 12-20 | 38,15-62 |
| 5-6 | 18,6-21,8 | 59,1-69 |
| 7-8 | 20,2-23,5 | 64,7-76 |
| 9-10 | 23-27,5 | 73,1-88 |
| 11-12 | 29-34,5 | 92-110 |
| 13-14 | 30-40 | 95-128 |
| 15-16 | 39-56 | 124-178 |
| 17-18 | 33,8-59,5 | 111-190 |
| 19-20 | 38,2-59,1 | 121,7-188 |
| 21-22 | 44,2-70 | 140,6-220 |
| 23-24 | 59,3-77,6 | 188,9-247 |
| 25-26 | 62-87,5 | 197,2-277,8 |
| 27-28 | 79-107,2 | 251,2-341 |
| 29-30 | 85-102,5 | 270,2-326 |
| 31-32 | 101,5-126,6 | 323,1-402,9 |
| 33-34 | 105,7-120 | 336,3-381,4 |
| 35-36 | 101,2-136,3 | 321,7-433,1 |
| 37-38 | 112-147,2 | 356,1-468,1 |
| 39-40 | 132,6-172 | 421-546 |
Progesterone norm
The hormone is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary. This structure belongs to the temporary glands internal secretion. It is formed at the site of a mature egg released from the follicle, so during pregnancy there is a natural increase in progesterone levels.
Over the course of 16 weeks, the corpus luteum actively secretes a hormone to prepare the endometrium for the attachment of the fertilized egg and provide conditions for the development of the embryo.
By 16-17 weeks of pregnancy the placenta is formed. The role of progesterone production in the future belongs to it. Without a sufficient amount of the hormone, the process of intrauterine development is either interrupted, or the child experiences developmental defects.
When to take progesterone?
Blood sampling for analysis is not carried out on any day. For getting reliable results you need to prepare in advance:
- donate biomaterial on an empty stomach;
- limit physical activity;
- You cannot donate blood after ultrasound and other hardware diagnostics.
Using the concentration of progesterone, you can determine the exact timing of pregnancy, but this method is not used by gynecologists. The appointments for blood sampling for progesterone are:
- suspicion of a frozen or ectopic pregnancy;
- risk of miscarriage;
- pathologies of the placenta;
- cyst or tumor of the genital organs discovered during pregnancy;
- establishing the exact timing of ovulation when planning pregnancy;
- carrying out IVF.
Reasons for deviations
Deficiency also leads to complications during pregnancy. You can detect a violation using laboratory tests and during monitoring of the woman’s condition. Temporary deviations from the norm are caused by the following pathological conditions:
- drug therapy(including hormonal);
- developmental disorders of the placenta;
- chronic form adrenal hyperplasia;
- insufficient kidney activity.
Reduced
Appearance nagging pain lower abdomen, bleeding (even minor) during pregnancy are symptoms of spontaneous abortion. One of the reasons for miscarriage is low concentration progesterone. The pathological condition is often associated with insufficiency of the corpus luteum.
In some cases it happens a sharp decline hormone levels. Possible reasons this phenomenon:
- frozen, ectopic pregnancy;
- threat of self-abortion;
- disorders of intrauterine development of a child.
Elevated
An increase in the amount of pregnancy hormone also poses a danger to the mother and fetus. Deviation from the norm is associated with the following pathological conditions:
- adrenal diseases;
- corpus luteum cyst;
- kidney dysfunction;
- dysfunction of the placenta.
Multiple pregnancy and progesterone levels
Up to 10 weeks, the concentration of the hormone during the development of several embryos at once remains the same as when normal pregnancy. For more later there is an increase in the level of the active substance. There are cases when in women pregnant with twins, its content remains within the normal range.
How to increase progesterone
Only a doctor can choose safe method increase progesterone
If there is insufficient activity of the corpus luteum in a pregnant woman, progesterone preparations are prescribed. Treatment course continues until the placenta is fully formed and its secretory activity begins. In some cases, therapy continues for up to 20 weeks.
The treatment regimen includes intramuscular or subcutaneous. Medicine available in the form oil solution. The daily concentration is selected individually and is 10-25 mg. Injections are given daily until the condition stabilizes. The manipulation is painful and requires special skills. At increased viscosity blood, bronchial asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies progesterone injections are contraindicated.
Therapy for progesterone deficiency involves the use of vaginal suppositories Utrozhestan, Susten. The regimen of use depends on the identified complications of pregnancy and is prescribed by the attending physician. If there is a threat of interruption, the standard dose is 400-600 mg once.
Then 200-300 mg 2 times a day until the condition normalizes. The dosage can be increased to 800-1000 if the standard concentration is ineffective active substance.
The drug is discontinued gradually, reducing the dose by 100 mg weekly. If signs of miscarriage appear, treatment is resumed. If the drug is abruptly discontinued, pregnancy failure may occur.
Duphaston tablets are popular. They have a similar effect to Utrozhestan. Have easy sedative effect, more convenient to use.
You can increase the concentration of the hormone naturally - by using special diet. It can be considered as an addition to the main treatment. In the diet it is necessary to increase the amount rich in vitamins E and group B. The first substance in large quantities found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils. Animal products are rich in B vitamins:
- lean meat;
- liver;
- cheese and other dairy products;
- egg.
IN folk medicine There are many recipes for maintaining pregnancy, but using them if there is a threat of miscarriage is extremely undesirable. Moreover, such methods do not have a scientific evidence base. Only a doctor should monitor the condition of a pregnant woman and make decisions on therapeutic measures.
How to lower progesterone
Only a doctor can choose a safe method for lowering progesterone
Even with a normal pregnancy, a woman’s body reacts negatively to an increase in progesterone. She is noted increased fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, headaches, heartburn, constipation and other reactions.
If the concentration of progesterone significantly deviates from the norm towards an increase, the doctor identifies the root cause of the failure. Only after this is treatment prescribed to correct the level of the substance. It is important in what period of gestation the hormone increased. For example, at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy there is no danger in a small increase in the amount of the hormone. A significant increase in progesterone at the end of the second and third trimester indicates slow maturation of the placenta and is dangerous.
Specific therapy There is no way to reduce the amount of progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy. Appointed symptomatic therapy:
- sedatives with an unstable emotional state;
- mild laxatives for plant based to activate intestinal motility.
Useful for pregnant women hiking on fresh air, balanced diet, full-fledged night sleep. A woman needs to avoid physical exertion and emotional shocks.
A significant excess of progesterone levels in the second and third trimesters requires hospitalization of the pregnant woman and treatment under the supervision of qualified specialists.
Post-term pregnancy
Exceeding the 40-week period of gestation is associated with both a deficiency and an excess of progesterone. If necessary, a woman at 41-42 weeks of pregnancy is hospitalized, hormonal drugs are administered to normalize the background and labor is stimulated.
The course of pregnancy depends on the level of progesterone. There are norms for the concentration of the substance by week and trimester. If indicated, a woman is prescribed a blood test for progesterone. Therapeutic measures depend on the interpretation of the laboratory test results. An excessive increase or decrease in the hormone is dangerous for the expectant mother and child.
Hormone progesterone got its name from the addition of two words Latin origin: “pro” - in favor, and “gestatio” - pregnancy, wearing. That is why it is also called the pregnancy hormone. Progesterone has great importance in the process of implantation (attachment), growth of the fertilized egg and its development, and also plays an important role in the success of pregnancy. If its content in the body is insufficient (below the norm), then a delay in the development of the fetus and even termination of pregnancy is possible. If progesterone level in the blood exceeds permissible norm, then this means the presence of diseases of the female reproductive system.
The hormone progesterone is produced much earlier than the moment of conception. It is actively produced by the so-called corpus luteum in a woman’s ovaries from the moment of ovulation until the sixteenth week of pregnancy. If fertilization of the egg does not occur, then the corpus luteum dies and another menstruation begins. The pregnancy hormone has great value For successful conception child, since it has a significant impact on the woman’s body as a whole and prepares it for reproduction (reproduction). Progesterone allows the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the uterus. The body would reject the fertilized egg if there were no progesterone. This hormone has the ability to reduce the activity of uterine contractions, thereby minimizing the risk of miscarriage - involuntary termination of pregnancy. In addition, progesterone “tunes” the mammary glands to produce milk.
Blood progesterone level
Progesterone level in the female body fluctuates noticeably, which directly depends on the phase during the menstrual cycle. The level of the hormone increases during the first phase of the cycle, reaching its highest level immediately during ovulation. If pregnancy occurs after ovulation level progesterone continues to increase, thereby providing the necessary conditions For further development fertilized egg and, accordingly, to maintain the resulting pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, then the level progesterone will decrease to its value in the so-called pre-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, which will lead to the onset of the next menstruation. U healthy woman the second phase of the menstrual cycle (postovulatory) should last at least ten days. During this time, the corpus luteum of the ovary secretes progesterone, which prepares the endometrium (mucous inner layer uterus) to the expected pregnancy. In this regard, a reduction in the duration of the second (luteal) phase (the so-called luteal insufficiency) leads to the following consequences: the endometrium does not have time to prepare to accept the fertilized egg, as a result of which pregnancy does not occur. Insufficient progesterone levels can also lead to voluntary termination of pregnancy (miscarriage) early stages, since its reduced concentration does not create the opportunity to maintain the normal state of the endometrium necessary for the development of the fertilized egg. Norm progesterone levels in the blood is as follows:
For women of reproductive age:
- before ovulation – from 0.33 to 2.25 nmol/l;
- on the day of ovulation – from 0.45 to 9.45 nmol/l;
- after ovulation (at pregnancy) – from 6.9 to 56.6 nmol/l.
For pregnant women:
- in the first trimester – from 8.91 to 468.5 nmol/l;
- in the second trimester – from 71.2 to 303.0 nmol/l;
- in the third trimester – from 88.6 to 771.6 nmol/l
In addition to the functions of successful conception and further maintenance of the resulting pregnancy, progesterone also performs other functions. For example, it prevents the formation of fibrous cysts, helps the body transform fat tissue into energy, normalizes blood viscosity and helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. It has been scientifically proven that the development of menopausal and premenstrual syndromes is associated not only with the level of estrogen concentration, but also with hormone deficiency progesterone. In connection with the above, it can be argued that normal level progesterone in the blood of every woman is important not only when pregnancy is planned, but also for normal functioning the whole body.
When is it necessary to take a blood test for progesterone?
Before you start planning for the future conception of a child, you will need to contact specialists and take a test necessary tests, including analysis of progesterone levels. Knowing your doctor's progesterone levels will help you avoid problems during pregnancy. negative factors. This will also help avoid unsuccessful attempts to conceive. Analysis on level progesterone is prescribed in cases of: disturbances in the menstrual cycle (to determine the causes); to establish the causes of infertility if ovulation is preserved; to monitor the patient if she has induced ovulation.
So that the tests show the maximum correct result, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions. Firstly, it is best to donate blood on an empty stomach in the morning (at least eight hours after the last meal). Secondly, it gives up this analysis on certain days of the cycle. In a normal 28-day cycle, a progesterone test is taken on the 22nd or 23rd day of the cycle. If the cycle is not regular, several days are prescribed for taking this test on the days indicated by the doctor.
If a deviation in the progesterone level from the established norm is detected, the doctor will prescribe medication (hormonal drugs) to adjust the progesterone concentration. In this case, the course is selected exclusively individually, guided by analysis indicators and the picture general condition the patient's body. Before determining any treatment regimen for you, the doctor must tell you about all the positive and negative sides hormone therapy.
In cases of treatment with hormones, you should not self-medicate! Hormonal drugs, increasing (decreasing) progesterone level(like everyone else) are capable of affecting your entire body, not just your reproductive system. They have certain strict indications for use, as well as many contraindications, and by independently prescribing treatment, you can achieve the completely opposite positive result.
The average period of 28 days is considered the norm for the entire cycle. Depending on the characteristics of the body, its duration can vary from 21-35 days. These days reproductive system the fair sex works, which affects the well-being, behavior, and mood of the lady.
Cyclic processes include two main phases:
- Follicular. Accompanied by intensive growth of follicles, the maturation of the egg occurs, the ovaries intensively produce estrogen, which stimulates the renewal of the endometrial lining in the uterine cavity. The duration of the phase is two weeks.
- Luteal. Characterized by the cessation of follicular growth, the egg leaves the follicle. Its duration is no more than 16 days.
The next state is called ovulation, lasts about 24-48 hours - the egg enters the fallopian (uterine) tube, moving towards the uterus, awaiting fertilization.
A temporary gland appears in the ovary - the corpus luteum. The function of the corpus luteum, if pregnancy has not formed, is aimed at increasing the production of biologically active substances, starting from the 15-17th to the 28th day of the cycle. The walls of the uterus are being prepared, they become loose, the amount of 
colorings for successful attachment of the fertilized egg. Progesterone is a hormone responsible for initial stage pregnancy. Its level in the 1st phase of the menstrual cycle is 0.4-0.8 ng/ml. In the second phase, it increases sharply, reaching from three to thirty ng/ml.
In the absence of a fertilized egg, the corpus luteum begins to gradually decrease, and the process of rejection of the epithelial layer occurs - the stage of menstruation.
If conception has occurred, then the corpus luteum performs necessary functions until the 12th week of pregnancy, exactly until the placenta itself begins to produce sufficient quantity biologically active substance.
After ovulation, the production of active biological substance increases, this is necessary for the following important points, to:
- prevent the onset of menstruation;
- stimulate the mammary glands of the expectant mother;
- change emotional condition mother in relation to the unborn child.
Cyclic phases are characterized by the following indicators:
- 1st week – accompanied low level progesterone and estrogen;
- 2nd week – predominance of high estrogen, but low (progesterone);
- 3-4 weeks – both hormones have a high concentration.
Standard indicators of sex hormone and their deviation
Low levels of progesterone in the blood can indicate infertility and cause miscarriage. Patients with low levels of progesterone in the blood are prescribed drugs of natural origin or based on a synthetic analogue. The drug Utrozhestan in capsules has excellent reviews. Excellent natural composition, used orally, intravaginally.
A high progesterone level may indicate pregnancy or pathological abnormalities, such as:
- malignant neoplasms of the genital organs;
- uterine bleeding;
- dysfunction of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
- deviations in the development of the placenta in pregnant women.
Biologically controlled active substance in women bearing a child. An indicator of the hormone norm in pregnant women is considered to be:
- 1-13 weeks of pregnancy – 15-107.9;
- 14-27 weeks – 61.7-159;
- 28-41 weeks – 17.3-509 (nmol/l).
Before childbirth, the rate decreases greatly.
A common occurrence in the second trimester of pregnancy - high sugar When the ALT norm is exceeded, this may indicate pathology.
Monitoring should be done using a biochemical blood test, which is done in the morning on an empty stomach. The ALT norm for the weaker sex is considered to be 31 U/L (international units per liter), for the male sex – 45 U/L.
On the 22nd day of the cycle it is prescribed biochemical analysis blood test for progesterone levels in women, and to control the level over time, tests are taken several times.
The standard progesterone level in women depends on the day (nmol/l):
- 1-15 – norm 0.97-4.8;
- 16-22 – norm 2.4-9.55;
- 23-28 – norm 16.2-86.
Thus, the norm of progesterone in women on the 22nd day of the cycle is 9.55 nmol/l. During the postmenopausal period, the indicator will be 0.3-2.5 nmol/l.
The stronger sex also produces progesterone, normal indicator– 0.35-0.63 nmol/l.
Hormonal changes are stressful for the body, so timely checks, blood tests, and consultation with a doctor will help balance the abnormalities and maintain health.
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