Progesterone - what is it?
The content of the article:
- Progesterone functions
- High progesterone
- Low progesterone
- Progesterone test
Progesterone (from Latin pro - before and English gesta (tion) - pregnancy) is a female hormone of the steroid group, a natural biological progestogen produced in women by the ovaries and adrenal glands, and during pregnancy - by the placenta. The main metabolic and physical effects of the hormone progesterone are related to the reproductive system.
In men, small amounts of progesterone are produced by the adrenal cortex and testes.
The biosynthesis of the progesterone hormone occurs predominantly in the corpus luteum, formed after ovulation in the destroyed postovulatory follicle and is stimulated by follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones of the pituitary gland. Under the action of FSH, one of the follicles is formed in the ovary and begins to develop, then the pituitary gland begins to secrete LH, which causes ovulation. The follicle is destroyed and turns into a corpus luteum - a temporary endocrine tissue that functions for a certain time, and then undergoes luteolysis, stops its activity and regresses. With the onset of regression of the corpus luteum, the concentration of the hormone decreases, the functional layer of the endometrium is rejected and menstruation begins.
Most of the functions of progesterone are related to preparing for and maintaining pregnancy
The process of development and regression of the corpus luteum directly affects the level of progesterone. In the follicular phase, its amount in the blood is minimal and amounts to 0.3-0.9 ng / ml, an increase occurs before ovulation. The maximum concentration is observed a week after the onset of ovulation; during the luteal phase, the hormone level rises to 15-30 ng / ml. Then the cycle repeats: the follicular phase begins, the hormone level decreases, the ovarian follicles begin to produce estrogens, the functional layer of the endometrium is restored.
If conception occurs, the corpus luteum prolongs its existence and continues to secrete progesterone. During pregnancy, the biosynthesis of the hormone is stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which prevents luteolysis and maintains the secretory activity of the corpus luteum. When the need for luteotropic stimulation disappears, the placenta takes over the hormone synthesis function. The growth of the placenta causes an increase in the amount of circulating progesterone, its production continues to increase with each week of pregnancy and reaches 150 ng / ml by the third trimester.
Progesterone functions
What is the hormone progesterone responsible for in women? This hormone is necessary to prepare the female body for the upcoming pregnancy and childbirth, which is why progesterone is called the pregnancy hormone.
The effect of progesterone on a woman's body can be considered as preparing the female body for bearing a child:
- prepares the endometrium lining the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and ensuring the life of the embryo;
- helps to stabilize the swollen endometrium, preventing it from being rejected during pregnancy;
- blocks contractions of the uterine muscles - reduces the sensitivity of the uterine myometrium to physiological stimulants of contraction, which can lead to spontaneous abortion;
- helps in preparing the mammary glands for lactation - causes their engorgement, controls the proliferation and glandular transformation of the alveoli, where milk is synthesized and secreted;
- increases the viscosity of mucus in the cervix - forms a barrier that helps prevent bacteria and other foreign agents, including sperm, from entering the uterine cavity from the vagina;
- suppresses the immune responses of the maternal organism to prevent embryo rejection - the fetus is not recognized as a foreign body and is not rejected;
- causes the growth of the uterus;
- strengthens the muscles of the cervix, protecting against premature birth;
- relaxes the muscles of the uterus, prepares the pelvic ligaments for relaxation during childbirth, in order to ensure the expansion of the pelvic bones for the passage of the fetus through the birth canal at the time of childbirth;
- causes fluid retention in the body;
- affects the metabolism in the body - increases the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, increases the production of aldosterone, lowers the level of growth hormone, reduces insulin sensitivity (stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas in response to glucose entering the body), affects the body's ability to store fat, creates optimal conditions for the accumulation of glycogen in the liver.
The decay products of progesterone affect the nervous system and sleep, have a calming and analgesic effect.
High progesterone
Deviation of progesterone from the norm, especially long-term, can cause serious disturbances in the body.
An increase in its concentration interferes with normal glucose metabolism: in response to the entry of glucose into the blood after a meal, the release of insulin increases. This is accompanied by increased appetite, intense weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes. If progesterone is elevated, the production of growth hormone decreases and the synthesis of cortisol is disrupted. Hormonal imbalance is manifested, among other things, by symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Disruption of the ratio of progesterone to estradiol causes excessive breakdown of muscle protein and destruction of muscle tissue. This explains the decrease in muscle strength in women during menopause.
Excessive relaxation of ligaments and tendons with elevated hormone levels increases the risk of injury. Relaxation of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract leads to a slowdown in the movement of food and dyspeptic disorders (fermentation of food in the intestine, increased gas production).
During pregnancy, progesterone suppresses immune responses to prevent the rejection of a fertilized egg. With its excess, the immune system is suppressed, which is manifested by susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Progesterone is able to retain fluid in the body, its excess can increase the permeability of peripheral veins and make their walls excessively stretchable. The liquid part of the blood passes from the vessels into the tissues, leading to the appearance of edema.
The hormone stimulates the production of sebum, so its increase causes dermatological problems, especially acne.
An excess of progesterone is characterized by the following symptoms:
- headache;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- intense weight gain;
- swelling;
- thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis;
- allergic reactions;
- frequent colds, exacerbation of herpes;
- digestive disorders;
- calculous cholecystitis;
- drops in blood pressure;
- immunodeficiency;
- visual disorders (vascular lesions of the retina, double vision);
- intermenstrual bleeding;
- swelling and soreness of the mammary glands;
- inflammation of the ducts of the sebaceous glands, oily seborrhea.
An increase in the content of progesterone in the blood leads to the development of edema
High progesterone indicates abnormalities in the body. Among the diseases that can lead to an increase in its level are neoplasms of the reproductive system and adrenal glands, dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, corpus luteum cyst, diseases accompanied by uterine bleeding, renal failure, placental insufficiency, amenorrhea. An increase in the hormone can also cause the intake of antiestrogenic drugs.
Low progesterone
A decrease in the content of progesterone in the blood occurs for various reasons: chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, endocrine disorders, corpus luteum insufficiency, renal failure, oncological diseases, complications of abortion, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, true prolongation of pregnancy (prolongation of pregnancy by 10-14 days or more after the expected due date). Shortages can also be caused by stress and excessive exercise, heavy menstrual bleeding, pathological thinness, as well as taking medications, including antibiotics, pain relievers, estrogens, oral contraceptives and drugs that increase prolactin levels.
If the level of the hormone is lowered, spasm of the arteries, melting of the connective fibers of the endometrium, and deterioration of tissue trophism may occur.
Low blood progesterone levels are manifested by the following symptoms:
- menstrual irregularities, painful menstruation;
- headaches;
- irritability, tearfulness, sudden mood swings;
- increased fatigue, weakness, lethargy;
- insomnia or, conversely, drowsiness;
- hair loss;
- violation of thermoregulation.
Progesterone test
The study of the level of the female hormone is carried out in case of suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, with the threat of termination of pregnancy, dysfunction of the corpus luteum, luteal phase failure, amenorrhea, cyst or ovarian tumor, adrenal tumor.
In women, the concentration of the hormone fluctuates depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, and in the case of pregnancy, on its term.
For a blood test, blood is drawn from a vein. It is recommended for non-pregnant women to donate blood on days 21-23 of the cycle, for pregnant women - any day.
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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