Progesterone is a female sex hormone that is often confused with estrogen. In fact, both of these hormones are produced by the female body and are vital to it. The level of progesterone should always be within the established norm. Therefore, every woman needs to know how this hormone affects the state of health and what its indicators depend on.
Definition and production of progesterone
The hormone progesterone is found in the body not only in women, but also in men. In women, it is produced in the corpus luteum and in the adrenal gland, and in men - in the testes. Progesterone affects the menstrual cycle and helps support pregnancy. This happens due to the development of a special protein, which is responsible for preparing the uterus for the conception of a child. If there was no fertilization, the corpus luteum dies in about 14-15 days. Then the progesterone hormone levels decrease, and the endometrium begins to exfoliate.
The norm of progesterone in women
Normal progesterone levels are completely dependent on many factors. The hormone indicators are affected by: the phase of the menstrual cycle, health status, the onset of menopause, oral contraceptives, bad habits, a woman’s lifestyle, and also the trimester of pregnancy. That is why the indicators set by doctors should be considered in each case separately. The progesterone rate is measured in ng / ml, nmol / L, μg / L. For diagnosis, measurements in nmol / L are most often used. Quite rarely, laboratories use progesterone readings in ng / ml. Measurements in μg / L are most often done abroad.
If a woman of childbearing age does not use an oral contraceptive, and also does not bear a child, progesterone indicators should be:
- During the follicular period - 0.32-2.23 nmol / L. At this stage of the cycle, the egg is just starting to mature.
- During ovulation - 0.48-9.41 nmol / L. If the couple plans to conceive, this is the best option for fertilizing the egg.
- In the luteal phase, 6.99-56.63 nmol / L. The rate of progesterone on the 21st day of the cycle rises significantly. At this time, the corpus luteum matures and dies, which leads to the onset of menstruation. Most doctors advise donating blood for hormones in this phase of the cycle.
Pregnancy Progesterone Rates by Week
Not without reason, many doctors consider progesterone to be the main hormone of pregnancy. The process of bearing a child, as well as its intrauterine development, completely depends on its quantity. The rate of progesterone during pregnancy always depends on the trimester. The results determine the condition of the woman, as well as the development of the fetus. Doctors note that there is a certain norm of hormones:
- 1st trimester - 8.9-468.4 nmol / g;
- 2nd trimester - 71.5-303.1 nmol / g;
- 3rd trimester - 88.7-771.5 nmol / g.
For most women, it will be more convenient to distribute these indicators by week. Thus, you can accurately determine the necessary rate of progesterone in the blood and not worry about the condition of the child. From the fifth to the sixth week, this hormone is in the limit of 18 nmol / L. During the seventh and eighth week, it increases to 33 nmol / L. By the onset of the ninth and tenth week of pregnancy, its indicators already amount to at least 38 nmol / L. Every week, the hormone progesterone increases.
Static and averaged data cannot be relied upon seriously. Hormones can only be decrypted by doctors. That is why it is impossible to self-medicate by determining a lower or increased norm of progesterone in the blood. This can only harm yourself and your child.
The value of progesterone for pregnant women
This hormone is very important for those women who only dream about a baby. However, for expectant mothers it is extremely necessary. Progesterone helps make a healthy baby, and also protects a woman from possible birth and postpartum complications. Among the vital functions of this hormone are the following:
- Progesterone helps the uterus grow, while lowering its tone. This significantly reduces the risk of a sudden miscarriage.
- Helps to accumulate subcutaneous fat. When carrying a child, a woman needs nutrients that affect the development of the fetus. A sufficient amount of subcutaneous fat provides both of them with health.
- Suppresses the immune system. During pregnancy, a woman's immunity should be slightly weakened. Since the fetus also has a genetic structure from the father, this helps to reduce the percentage of its rejection by the female body.
- Prepares muscles for childbirth.
- It increases the growth of the mammary glands, helps them prepare for a full and natural method of feeding a child.
- Participates in the development of the embryo.
The norm of progesterone during pregnancy should be within the established indicators, so you should not miss scheduled tests and trips to the gynecologist.
Causes of Elevated Progesterone
Progesterone can be increased due to physiological reasons, as well as due to various diseases. The following factors can be attributed to natural:
- Pregnancy. Ovaries and without this increase the production of this hormone, and during the bearing of the fetus, the placenta also joins them. This substance also rapidly produces progesterone.
- Oral contraceptives. This method of protecting against unwanted conception of a child also increases the amount of progesterone.
- Ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. An increase in hormone levels during this period indicates the body's readiness for future pregnancy.
A serious disease can also cause high progesterone. Some of them include the following:
- Oncology. These can be tumors in the reproductive system.
- Benign formations, for example, an ovarian cyst.
- Failure of the menstrual cycle, amenorrhea, uterine bleeding.
- Kidney disease.
The condition of a woman always depends on the norm of progesterone. The body will in every way signal a problem with a bad mood, fatigue, chronic stress, insomnia, etc. Therefore, it is very important to monitor any changes and consult a doctor immediately if suspicions arise.
Symptoms of High Progesterone
If the hormone indicators exceed the norm, this can be manifested by the following symptoms:
- Interest in your favorite activities and hobbies is lost. The usual life ceases to like, a good mood is sharply replaced by sheer apathy.
- Libido is significantly increased. But at the same time, the woman begins to feel extremely insecure. Closure and complexes appear.
- Sweating increases, and the quality of the skin begins to deteriorate from acne.
- Hair begins to get dirty faster, get a well-groomed look.
- The normal functioning of the intestine is disturbed. Concerned about constipation.
- Weight is rapidly increasing without much change in eating habits.
Manifestation of increased progesterone
The established rate of progesterone changes by week. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the levels of this hormone are the lowest. Therefore, there should not be any symptoms and disturbances in the habitual state. The level of normal progesterone in the luteal phase of the cycle rises. However, there should not be any serious changes in the body of a woman even during this period.
The most common unwanted symptoms that determine elevated levels of progesterone include frequent chest pain that does not depend on the period of the menstrual cycle. Sometimes the timbre of the voice changes. Most symptoms depend on the woman’s age, as well as on her physical and mental health.
Symptoms of Low Progesterone
If the hormone levels have significantly decreased, this may affect the condition of the body with various symptoms:
- Between menstruation bleeding may occur.
- Puffiness begins to worry, especially on the legs and face. The size of the abdomen and waist increases.
- Sometimes the temperature may rise for no specific reason.
- The level of libido decreases.
- During intercourse, dryness begins to bother due to insufficient lubrication.
- Sleep patterns are disturbed, chronic fatigue and depression develop.
- Constantly thirsty, tormented by a feeling of thirst.
- Blood sugar begins to rise. Without proper treatment, with low progesterone, the chances of getting diabetes are increased.
The rate of progesterone may decrease after abortion in the early stages of fetal development. At least 2 times a year, a healthy woman who does not bear a child should do tests that include hormone tests.
How to take a progesterone test
The level of progesterone is determined by taking blood from a vein. Most often, the rate of progesterone is determined on the 21st day of the cycle. However, this is done only with a menstrual cycle of 28 days. For reliable indicators, this must be done in the morning and on an empty stomach. The main role in determining the level of the hormone progesterone is played by the day of the menstrual cycle:
- If it lasts 28 days, you need to make a fence at the rate of progesterone on the 21st day of the cycle.
- With a cycle of 21 days - on day 19 from the first day of the previous menstruation.
- The cycle of 35 days or more - on the 27th day.
If menstruation is unstable, blood donation for the hormone progesterone is necessary twice a month. In this case, only a gynecologist can prescribe the exact date. The same applies to blood donation during pregnancy.
When you need to take a progesterone test
They can give directions for blood donation after the following examinations:
- With suspected neoplasms in the ovaries.
- To find out the cause of rejection of the fetus by the body or infertility.
- If bleeding has occurred that is not related to the menstrual cycle.
- In the absence of menstruation or their irregularity.
- To confirm folliculometry if ovulation is absent.
You can get a referral for progesterone analysis even after a routine examination by a therapist. The reasons for the violation of the progesterone norm in women can be changes in appearance that are noticeable without any additional studies: a sharp weight gain, increased sweating, tired and unkempt appearance, apathy, and vice versa, increased irritability.
Why you need to monitor progesterone levels
According to statistics, more than half of the female population suffer from an increase or decrease in the hormone progesterone. For a woman who is in childbearing age, this factor is considered extremely alarming. Due to the low norm of progesterone, menstrual pain, bleeding between cycles can disturb, and the risk of developing chronic inflammation is also increased. After identifying a hormone deficiency, the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen that aims to normalize it. You can’t prescribe treatment yourself, only a doctor can correctly determine the cause of the decrease in progesterone levels and prevent all possible negative consequences of its deficiency.
What threatens reduced progesterone
Lowering the hormone can seriously affect the condition of the woman carrying the baby. The condition of the fetus largely depends on the norm of progesterone during pregnancy. By weeks of gestation, you can calculate the required amount of this hormone in the blood. The longer the gestation period, the more its deficiency will affect the embryo. After 20 weeks, a woman begins to especially need his high rates. If the doctor finds a deviation from the norm, he prescribes a course of treatment, which consists of taking a certain group of drugs. The most popular of them are: "Duphaston", "Progesterone 1%", as well as "Utrozhestan".
Every woman who carefully monitors her health should occasionally do hormone tests. Especially if in the near future she is going to become a mother. Progesterone is a hormone that is responsible for the successful conception and course of further pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to monitor its performance and maintain the norm recommended by doctors.