Progesterone is an extremely important hormone in the female reproductive system. It plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryo development.
Some key functions of progesterone include:
In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone levels start to rise after ovulation occurs. The rising progesterone signals the body to maintain the thickened uterine lining instead of shedding it.
If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels will drop, triggering menstruation. The falling progesterone causes the uterine lining to break down and be shed.
If pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels stay elevated to maintain the uterine lining and support fetal development. The placenta actually takes over progesterone production later in pregnancy.
Progesterone has several important roles during pregnancy:
Supplementing with natural progesterone can also help women struggling with infertility or recurrent miscarriages. The experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic can provide customized care plans with bioidentical hormones like progesterone to meet each patient's unique needs.
If you suspect you may have low progesterone levels, testing can identify a deficiency. Progesterone levels vary widely throughout the menstrual cycle, so properly timed tests are critical.
Progesterone tests include:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may involve progesterone medications or supplements to restore optimal levels. Lifestyle changes can also help in some cases.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on the essential hormone progesterone! Let me know if you have any other questions.