Not everyone knows which hormone the corpus luteum secretes. It's about progesterone. If it had not been produced in the body of women, then procreation would have become impossible. The decrease and increase in the amount of progesterone significantly affects the health of the weaker sex, the ability to bear a child and give birth. That is why it is important not to allow change. To control the level of the hormone of the corpus luteum, special tests are performed, after which the doctor selects the appropriate therapy.
Progesterone: description and functions
Many do not know the name of the corpus luteum hormone. This is progesterone. It is a sex hormone of the steroid type, which is produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries. It also produces the placenta (during pregnancy), as well as the adrenal cortex.
Progesterone is a hormone of the corpus luteum that promotes conception, gestation, and further breastfeeding. In addition, it affects some receptors, stimulates the production of liver enzymes.
But the main function of this hormone, stimulating the formation of the corpus luteum, is to maintain pregnancy. It is under his influence that processes are carried out in the endometrial layer of the uterus that prepare the body for conception, childbirth. Because of this, progesterone is also called pregnancy hormone.
It performs such functions associated with the development of the embryo:
- the mucous layer of the uterus changes so that the fertilized egg can reliably fix;
- the body's immune response is suppressed, so the fetus is not rejected (due to this, a miscarriage is prevented);
- contractility of the uterine muscles decreases, which is also required to prevent miscarriage;
- affects the stretching of the walls of the uterus during fetal growth;
- promotes the formation of additional fat in women on the abdomen to protect the uterus and fetus from mechanical stress;
- affects the preparation of the pelvic bones for childbirth;
- stabilizes the level of glucose in the blood and its viscosity in pregnant women;
- prepares the channels of the mammary glands and their tissues for milk production.
When the level of progesterone drops in the body of a pregnant woman, childbirth begins. In addition, the corpus luteum hormone of the ovaries affects the menstrual cycle. He stops him while carrying a child.
Other functions
But progesterone still has other biological functions that are not related to the reproductive capabilities of the female body. The hormone affects the following:
- sex drive;
- normal functioning of the brain (the hormone is a neurosteroid);
- secretion of the skin and maintaining its elasticity.
By the way, the maternal instinct is also formed under the influence of the corpus luteum hormone.
What affects the level of progesterone in the human body
At different periods of a woman's life, the level of the hormone of the corpus luteum is unstable. It depends on her age and stage of the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy, the indicator increases hundreds of times.
In the follicular stage of the cycle (that is, before ovulation begins), the hormone is synthesized exclusively by the adrenal cortex. Because of this, blood levels are the lowest at this time.
When ovulation begins, a corpus luteum forms in the ovary. It is it that begins to further produce progesterone. As a result, the level of its concentration in the blood increases sharply. So he will remain until menstruation. Luteinizing hormone that stimulates ovulation affects progesterone synthesis.
When pregnancy occurs, hormone production continues to increase. The maximum rate will be achieved in the third trimester. By the way, from about 17 weeks, progesterone will also be synthesized in the placenta. Its production is affected by the functioning of the female reproductive system. In particular, this applies to the corpus luteum, a special gland that appears every time again in all menstrual cycles. Excessive physical and mental stress, the use of drugs, infections adversely affect and lead to a disruption in the production of progesterone. But quite often, the causes of failures are also more serious reasons - disruptions in the endocrine system.
As a result, excess of the norm or deficiency of the hormone of the corpus luteum can lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, difficulties with conception, problems during pregnancy and childbirth. That's why if there is a suspicion of a change in the hormone in the blood, you need to do an appropriate analysis, and then determine and eliminate the causes of the violations.
Progesterone Level
The corpus luteum hormone does not have a constant indicator, since many factors influence the level. For this parameter, the upper and lower boundaries are accepted depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Deviations within numbers are considered normal.
If the woman is not pregnant, then the concentration of the hormone should be as follows:
- In the follicular period (from the first to the 14th day of the menstrual cycle) - from 0.3 to 0.22 nmol / l.
- During ovulation (approximately 14-16 days of the cycle) - from 0.5 to 9.5 nmol / L.
- In the luteal period (from 16 days to the end of the cycle) - from 7 to 56.6 nmol / L.
- During the onset of menopause - 0.64 nmol / L
Sometimes the test results are recorded in other units of change, in ng / ml. In this case, to translate the data, you need to use the following formulas:
- ng / ml ∙ 3.18 = progesterone level nmol / L;
- nmol / L ∙ 0.314 = ng / ml.
It must also be borne in mind that various reagents and methods are used in laboratories to analyze progesterone levels. Because of this, the indicator for a woman on the same day may differ. It is necessary to compare the data obtained from the same laboratory.
Norm during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the concentration of the hormone will be as follows:
- In the first trimester - 9-468 nmol / L.
- In the second trimester - 71.5-303 nmol / L.
- In the third trimester - 88.7-771.5 nmol / L.
If the analysis data differ from the given norm, then do not worry right away.
Firstly, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body. Secondly, drug intake affects. Thirdly, the laboratory could use other reagents, so the values did not fall into the standard framework.
Elevated levels of progesterone: causes and methods of reduction
If the study showed an excess of the norm of the level of concentration of progesterone in the blood, then this could be triggered by various factors. If a woman who is not pregnant does not take drugs that affect the hormone content, then the most common causes are gynecological or endocrine pathologies. These include the following:
- Dysfunction of the adrenal cortex. The disease is called adrenogenital syndrome. This is a congenital pathology.
- Hyperplasia of the adrenal gland, the presence of neoplasms.
- The presence of neoplasms in the ovary (cystomas, cysts).
- Uterine cancer. The disease is also known as choriocarcinoma.
- Impaired milk production and cessation of menstruation. This is called hyperprolactinemia.
In some cases, an increase in the concentration of the hormone of the corpus luteum is provoked by renal failure. Cirrhosis of the liver, uterine bleeding can also affect.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, excess rates are caused by the following factors:
- Bubble drift. This is a pathological condition that is associated with inferiority of fertilization of the egg. In this case, the chorionic villi grow and become like bubbles.
- Slowing down the formation of the placenta.
- Fetoplacental insufficiency. This is a wide variety of disorders in the development of the placenta and the fetus.
- Multiple pregnancy.
Drugs and recommendations
When in the course of research an excess of the norm of concentration of progesterone is found, the doctor selects the appropriate therapy. Of the medicines prescribed "Mifepristone", "Clomiphene", "Tamoxifen."
In addition, it is imperative to change the way of life: establish a regime of work and rest, stop smoking, excessive drinking, monitor nutrition. As for the latter, it is necessary to reduce the amount of protein food.
It is also important to abandon foods that contain high amounts of saturated fats.
Folk ways
Alternative medicine also helps:
- Red mountain ash. 2 pinches of dried berries pour a cup of boiling water and leave for an hour. Divide into 3 servings to be taken during the day.
- Pine uterus. 2 pinches of powdered stems pour a glass of water. Consume 0.5 of the total volume in the morning and evening.
- Carnation and red brush. Take 6 pinches of the inflorescences of the first component and 2 pinches of the second ingredient. Pour 1.3 liters of boiling water. Boil and wait until it cools down. Take a third of a cup three times a day on an empty stomach.
The use of such recipes is allowed only after the permission of the attending physician, however, as an auxiliary therapy, since only qualified treatment can give a stable result and guarantee the normalization of the hormone level.
Decreased progesterone levels: causes and methods of increasing
In non-pregnant women, a decrease in progesterone concentration may be caused by the following factors:
- violations in the work of the adrenal cortex;
- disturbances in the work of the corpus luteum (insufficient second phase);
- chronic inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system;
- the use of drugs that lower the level of the hormone in the blood;
- gynecological diseases (endometriosis, myoma);
- debilitating diets, malnutrition, which leads to a deficiency of nutrients in the body.
A decrease in hormone levels in women indicates that menopause is beginning.
During pregnancy, the indicator may fall due to such reasons:
- the yellow body dissolves too quickly;
- insufficient development of the placenta;
- repotting;
- severe stress.
To normalize the indicator, medications such as Utrozhestan, Dufaston, Ingesta and others are prescribed.
It is recommended that you consume more foods that contain cholesterol. In any case, specialist advice is mandatory.