Doctors strongly advise all women of reproductive age to monitor blood progesterone levels. This sex hormone is intensively produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex, and during the period of gestation, the placenta takes on this function. The main purpose of progesterone is to prepare the female body for a possible pregnancy. It rises significantly after the onset of ovulation and decreases if conception has not occurred.
In order to determine the level of progesterone in a woman, a venous blood test is done in special laboratories. If the hormone is normal, then the girl can be calm: everything is in order with her health. But increased progesterone in women signals some possible problems that require immediate resolution.
First of all, you should know that the concentration of this hormone increases during pregnancy, and this is considered the absolute norm. However, if this is excluded, then increased progesterone in women may indicate:
- corpus luteum cyst;
- breakthrough uterine bleeding;
- violations in the work of the adrenal cortex;
- ovarian dysfunction and irregular menstrual cycles;
- renal failure.
Highly elevated levels of progesterone in women during pregnancy may indicate abnormal development of the placenta and its premature aging. However, an accurate diagnosis should be made by a qualified doctor under any circumstances, and only he can prescribe special medications to treat a specific disease.
Most often, increased progesterone in women is observed when taking progesterone drugs. In such cases, the complete abolition of medications helps. While a critical increase in the level of this hormone can lead to irreversible consequences:
- the appearance of epilepsy;
- kidney damage
- osteoporosis;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- in rare cases, death.
Symptoms of increased progesterone in women can occur as follows:
- Irregular and very heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the cycle.
- Increased sweating.
- Fatigue, drowsiness.
- Pain in the lower abdomen, cramping.
- Dry vagina.
- Tension in the chest, swelling of the mammary glands.
- Migraine.
- Anemia.
These and other symptoms are manifested in each person individually. In addition, a woman may have acne, increase the amount of hair on her body, and the risks of a miscarriage or an undeveloped pregnancy increase significantly.
In order for increased progesterone in women to not cause serious health problems, it is necessary to regularly monitor its level. Analysis should be done on the 5-7th day of the menstrual cycle and on the 7th day after confirmed ovulation. During pregnancy, progesterone should be monitored regularly - its level should be checked at least 1 time per month. A timely diagnosis reduces the risk of developing serious diseases. Be healthy!