Hormonal disorders in a woman’s body are the main reason for early termination of pregnancy. As a rule, this is due to the low level of the main female hormone - progesterone. To supplement it, a pregnant woman is prescribed a substitute drug, which is based on gestagen. What it is? This will be discussed in this article.
Progesterone and its functions
Every month, hormonal changes occur in the female body, and the follicle matures in the ovaries. From the first day of menstruation to ovulation, the estrogenic, or follicular, phase lasts . Then comes the period of progesterone (or the formation of the corpus luteum). It lasts about 16 days. After ovulation, a yellow body is formed on the site that the mature egg left . This is a special formation that looks like a bag of liquid. It is in it that various hormones are produced that are necessary to maintain pregnancy, and above all, progesterone.
Progesterone produced by the corpus luteum prepares the body for pregnancy every month. I.e:
It promotes the transformation of the endometrium (the inner layer of the uterus) to ensure - during pregnancy - the normal development of a fertilized egg.
It provides the development of the muscle layer of the uterus, due to which its renewal and functioning takes place.
Thanks to progesterone, the mucus located in the cervix becomes thicker, a mucous plug forms , which protects the contents of the said organ from external influences.
Prepares the mammary glands for milk production.
It changes metabolism: protein synthesis is reduced, there is an increase in the concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the blood. Due to this, the supply of substances necessary for the formation and development of the fetus increases.
Prevents the reaction of a woman's body to the fetus as a foreign object.
If natural progesterone is not enough, experts prescribe a substitute for it - gestagen. What it is, and in what situations its use is necessary, the attending physician will tell in more detail.
Causes of Inadequate Progesterone Formation
The insufficient production of progesterone adversely affects the development and nutrition of the embryo, which can provoke an early termination of pregnancy.
This condition can be caused by such phenomena as:
inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs;
dysfunction of the pituitary gland, ovaries, thyroid gland;
intense physical activity;
taking oral contraceptives;
adherence to a low-calorie diet;
pregnancy with IVF or ovulation stimulation.
Such an important gestagen. What is it and when is it needed?
These hormones for the prevention of abortion first began to be used in the 60-70s of the last century. However, synthetic gestagens had many side effects, the main of which were congenital malformations. Today, after many scientific experiments, really safe tools have been created.
They are used in the following conditions:
hormonal disorders that provoke infertility;
premenstrual syndrome;
mastopathy of a fibrocystic type;
irregular menstruation;
preparation for IVF;
hormone therapy during menopause;
uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Estrogens
For the treatment of pathological conditions associated with impaired ovarian function, estrogens are used. The following pathologies are an indication for their use:
primary, secondary amenorrhea;
sexual deficiency of the second type;
hypoplasia of secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive apparatus;
menopause disorders;
treatment and prevention of osteoporosis;
weak labor activity;
post-term pregnancy;
infertility;
hypertension in women.
Estrogens and progestogens are the basis of many combination drugs, including cancer treatments. Hormonal drugs, which include these substances and their combinations, are also used as oral contraceptives.
Progesterone, estrogen, gestagen - what is it? You have found a short answer to this question from our article, and we recommend contacting a specialist for more detailed advice. He will not only help to figure it out, but he will also advise which drug to choose, if necessary. Be healthy!