Progesterone During Pregnancy: Weekly Rate, Table

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 19:51

Progesterone during pregnancy: weekly rates and possible deviations

The content of the article:

1. Hormone functions
2. Analysis
3. The norm of the hormone during pregnancy by week
4. Deviation from the norm
5. IVF and progesterone

During pregnancy, progesterone in the body increases every week, so a special table is used to determine the norm of the hormone.

Progesterone (from Latin pro - before and English gesta (tion) - pregnancy) is a steroid hormone of the group of progestogens (progestins), which is responsible for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. In women, progesterone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex, and during pregnancy by the placenta.

When pregnancy occurs, the amount of the hormone in the blood increases

The main amount of progesterone in non-pregnant women is produced by the corpus luteum (corpus luteum), a temporary endocrine gland that forms after ovulation in a destroyed follicle and regresses within 14 days after formation. The hormone is synthesized in two stages, starting with cholesterol. The synthesis process is controlled by luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones of the pituitary gland. During pregnancy, production is stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

In women, the concentration of the hormone fluctuates depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, as well as pregnancy and its duration. The level of the hormone is influenced by the development and regression of the corpus luteum. The minimum amount of the hormone is observed in the follicular phase, the increase occurs on the day before ovulation and remains unchanged during the luteal phase. Then the cycle repeats, the follicular phase begins, the level of the hormone decreases. If conception occurs, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until the 16th week, after which the placenta takes over this role. Placental hormone secretion is proportional to the weight of the placenta. The growth of the placenta leads to an increase in progesterone, its level rises with each week of pregnancy.

Hormone functions

Most of the functions of progesterone in non-pregnant women are aimed at preparing the female body for the upcoming pregnancy, fetal growth and childbirth, which is why progesterone is often called the pregnancy hormone.

In the female body, progesterone has the following effect:

• changes the state of the endometrium lining the uterus - transforms the mucous membrane into a tissue rich in glands, making the layer of the endometrium of the uterus suitable for implantation of a fertilized egg;
• is responsible for ensuring that the epithelium of the uterus is not rejected during pregnancy;
• affects the increase in the uterus in volume so that it can accommodate the developing fetus;
• protects against premature labor associated with excessive activity of the uterus - relaxes its smooth muscles, reduces sensitivity to physiological stimulants of contraction, reducing the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions;
• provides an increase in the layer of mucous membrane lining the fallopian tubes;
• stimulates the development of the mammary glands, causing their engorgement and preparing for lactation, stimulates the proliferation of secretory alveoli;
• blocks immune responses to prevent the rejection of a fertilized egg;
• affects metabolism and blood pressure;
• maintains blood viscosity and glucose at the required level.

Analysis

Both increased and decreased levels of the hormone may indicate pathologies of the reproductive system, as well as abnormalities in the kidneys and adrenal glands, which negatively affects the possibility of conception or the course of pregnancy.

There are the following indications for a progesterone test:

• violation of the production of steroid hormones;
• violation of the activity of the corpus luteum;
• amenorrhea - the absence of menstruation in non-pregnant women of reproductive age;
• suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy [in this case, the hormone level will be higher than normal, but lower than in normal pregnancy (from 30 ng / ml in the early stages)];
• the need to determine ovulation when planning pregnancy;
• assessment of the insufficiency of the luteal phase in the diagnosis of infertility;
• adrenal tumors;
• ovarian cyst or tumor found on ultrasound;
• evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment with progesterone drugs;
• violation of puberty.

Tracking progesterone during pregnancy is especially important, since any deviations from the norm can lead to serious consequences. That is why pregnant women need to study the content of the hormone in the blood, not only if abnormalities are suspected, but also during the normal course of pregnancy. It is mandatory to test for progesterone in pregnant women in the following cases:

• the threat of termination of pregnancy;
• the need to monitor the state of the placenta.

For analysis, blood is taken from a vein.

To get tested for the level of the hormone, you must adhere to certain rules.

1. 8 hours before blood sampling, limit food intake, exclude fatty, fried foods from the diet for 2-3 days.
2. Tea, coffee and other drinks should not be drunk before blood sampling, however, clean water is not only allowed, but also needed in large quantities.
3. The day before the test, exclude physical activity and stress.
4. Make a complete list of all medications taken, since there may be a medication among them that affects the test result. These drugs will be marked on the laboratory referral form.

The norm of the hormone during pregnancy by week

The hormone level depends on many factors. During pregnancy, it increases with each week, therefore, use the table of progesterone rates during pregnancy by week.

So, the rate of progesterone during early pregnancy is:

Weeks of gestation	The amount of progesterone, nmol / l
1-2	38.15-52.8
3-4	52.34-59.1
5-6 weeks	59.1-69
7 week	64.8-71.12
8-10	73.1-88.1
11-12 weeks	92.1-110
13-14	96-127.2

In the second trimester, the rate of progesterone in pregnant women is growing rapidly and by the sixth month of pregnancy it increases several times:

Weeks of gestation	The amount of progesterone, nmol / l
15-16	124-177
17-18	111-189
19–20	121.7-187.8
21-22	140.5-220
23-24	188.9-247.1
25-26	197.2-277.8

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the rate of progesterone by week is:

Weeks of gestation	The amount of progesterone, nmol / l
27-28	251.2-340.9
29-30	270.2-326
31–32	323.1-402.8
33–34	336.3–381.4
35-36	321.7-433.1
37–38	356.1-468.1
39-40	421-546

Immediately before childbirth, the level of the hormone drops sharply and subsequently remains at a low level.

Deviation from the norm

Deviations from the norm of progesterone during pregnancy may indicate severe disorders. If the level of the hormone in the 1st trimester is low, this indicates an abnormal pregnancy. A significant lack of the hormone in this period (16 nmol / l and below) indicates that pregnancy is not viable.

Low levels of the hormone during pregnancy are always associated with the risk of miscarriage, therefore, with low progesterone in the blood, timely hormone replacement therapy is important. Reasons for downgrading:

• chronic fatigue;
• excessive physical activity;
• low weight;
• chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs;
• placental insufficiency;
• intrauterine growth retardation;
• true prolongation of pregnancy (prolongation of pregnancy by 10-14 days or more after the expected date of birth).

Also, the analysis result can be reduced by taking certain medications, including antibiotics (Ampicillin), pain relievers (Ketanov), estrogens, as well as Dinoprost and oral contraceptives.

With low progesterone in pregnant women, hormone replacement therapy is performed

A lowered hormone level has the following manifestations:

• headaches;
• lability of mood, frequent changes in emotional state;
• increased fatigue, tiredness even after sleep;
• weight gain;
• swelling of the mammary glands;
• hair loss.

Factors that can lead to high progesterone levels in pregnant and non-pregnant women include:

• placental insufficiency;
• pathologies of the excretory system, in which the kidneys do not excrete excess hormone;
• lengthening of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle;
• corpus luteum cyst;
• tumors of the reproductive system and adrenal glands;
• uterine bleeding;
• taking medications with antiestrogenic action (Clomiphene, Postinor).

An increase in progesterone during pregnancy is physiological, but if its concentration in the blood goes beyond the upper limit of the norm, it is necessary to consult a doctor and find out the cause of this condition.

An excess of the hormone can manifest itself in the following symptoms:

• headaches;
• chronic fatigue;
• visual impairment;
• dermatological problems;
• increased appetite;
• intermenstrual bleeding.

IVF and progesterone

In IVF, progesterone is increased to the desired level with the help of hormonal support. Hormone therapy will help the endometrium to grow to the required level, will provide full implantation, and will have a stimulating effect on the corpus luteum.

Drugs that compensate for the deficiency of the hormone in the body are used from the moment of embryo transfer until the twelfth week from the moment of confirmation of fertilization. For this, an examination is carried out, which will show whether the embryo has taken root. If the level of the hormone is increased, it is concluded that the pregnancy has taken place. In connection with the threat of termination of pregnancy, they continue to take progesterone until the placenta is formed, when it can save the fetus on its own. The days of the alleged menstruation are especially dangerous, since at this time a sharp decrease in the level of the hormone can occur, followed by rejection of the endometrium.

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Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author

Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".

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