Analysis For Progesterone: When To Take, On What Day Of The Cycle

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Analysis for progesterone: when to take, preparation, norm and decoding

The content of the article:

1. Functions of progesterone in the body

   1. The effect of progesterone on the menstrual cycle
   2. Effects of progesterone on pregnancy
2. What progesterone levels can show
3. How to properly prepare for a progesterone test
4. Deciphering the results of the analysis for progesterone
5. Elevated progesterone levels
6. Lowered progesterone levels

An analysis for progesterone is prescribed when planning a pregnancy, for the diagnosis of uterine bleeding and ovarian pathology, for the diagnosis and treatment of female and male infertility. To obtain reliable results, you must properly prepare for its implementation. When decoding, it is important to take into account the fact that the norm indicators in different laboratories may differ depending on the research method used.

Progesterone is one of the female sex hormones, and it is produced not only in women, but also in men. The hormone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, placenta, and testes. The concentration of progesterone in the blood in women is directly related to the development of the corpus luteum and its regression, that is, with the menstrual cycle.

An analysis for progesterone is carried out in the study of ovulation

Functions of progesterone in the body

Progesterone affects the menstrual cycle, embryonic development, as well as prostate function in men, stimulates the production of sebum, and raises blood pressure. In addition, the hormone regulates sex drive in women. Some physiological effects of progesterone are enhanced in the presence of estrogens (eg, lobuloalveolar development of the mammary glands).

In the blood, progesterone is in a free state, as well as in a form associated with proteins. Most of the hormone is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine.

The effect of progesterone on the menstrual cycle

The production of progesterone is influenced by luteinizing hormone (in the second phase of the menstrual cycle) and human chorionic gonadotropin (during pregnancy).

In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of progesterone in the blood is minimal. It rises before ovulation and persists throughout the luteal phase. Then, if pregnancy has not occurred, the level of the hormone decreases, and menstruation begins.

Effects of progesterone on pregnancy

During pregnancy, the level of progesterone in the blood gradually rises. It is responsible for the termination of menstruation during pregnancy, prepares the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized egg, and the mammary glands for milk production and feeding, changes the consistency of cervical mucus, inhibits contraction of the myometrium during pregnancy. Progesterone blocks lactation in pregnant women, and its decrease after childbirth leads to the production of breast milk.

What progesterone levels can show

Progesterone refers to markers of ovulation, shows the insufficiency of the luteal phase, allows you to diagnose the presence of ovarian neoplasms, assess the activity of the corpus luteum, the functioning of the placenta during pregnancy. Depending on how much progesterone is in the blood of a pregnant woman, the threat of termination of pregnancy can be assessed (low progesterone is associated with an increased threat). Determining the level of progesterone also helps diagnose congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The most common indications for a progesterone test are:

• planning pregnancy;
• diagnosis of uterine bleeding;
• diagnostics and treatment of male and female infertility;
• ovarian pathology in a woman;
• testicular disease in men.

How to properly prepare for a progesterone test

To get the most reliable blood test results for progesterone, proper preparation is necessary for it. Usually, blood sampling to determine the concentration of progesterone is carried out on day 21 (or 22-23 days) with a 28-day menstrual cycle. On what day to take progesterone (depending on why the analysis is carried out), as well as whether it is necessary to cancel the medications taken, it is necessary to first agree with the doctor. Some antibacterial drugs, oral contraceptives, estriol, prostaglandins can reduce progesterone in the blood, while progesterone drugs, valproic acid, estrogen antagonists, corticotropin, etc., can be increased.

The analysis should not be carried out after radiography, MRI, ultrasound. Two to three days before taking a blood test for progesterone, you should stop eating fatty foods, otherwise the test result may be distorted. On the eve, it is not recommended to consume salty and spicy foods, alcoholic drinks, strong coffee and tea. Also, sexual contacts, excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress are prohibited.

Blood for progesterone analysis should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, no earlier than eight hours after the last meal (drinking water is allowed). Blood is taken from a vein to determine the concentration of progesterone.

Deciphering the results of the analysis for progesterone

In girls under 18 years of age, the rate of progesterone varies depending on the Tanner stage (with a steady menstrual cycle - from its phase) and ranges from 0.15 to 28 ng / ml.

In women of reproductive age, the rate of progesterone depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle (0.15–1.4 ng / ml in the follicular phase, 3.34–25.6 ng / ml in the luteal phase). When taking oral contraceptives, the norm is 0.34-0.92 ng / ml. In the postmenopausal period, the progesterone content should not exceed 0.73 ng / ml.

The hormone rate in women during pregnancy varies depending on the period (in the first trimester - 11.2-90 ng / ml, in the second trimester - 25.6-89.4 ng / ml, in the third trimester - 48.4-422 ng / ml).

Normal values in men are in the range of 0.28-1.22 ng / ml.

When decoding the results of the analysis for progesterone, it should be borne in mind that the indicators of the norm may differ in different laboratories, depending on the research method used.

Elevated progesterone levels

An increase in progesterone in the blood reduces the effectiveness of aldosterone, which retains sodium, with a consequent decrease in the volume of intercellular fluid. Progesterone helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which improves the absorption of nutrients, but when the concentration of the hormone increases in non-pregnant women, this can lead to bloating, constipation, the formation of gallstones, and rapid weight gain.

Increased progesterone contributes to excess weight

If the analysis for progesterone records its increased values, this may be a sign of the following pathologies:

• intermenstrual uterine bleeding;
• abnormalities in the development of the placenta;
• corpus luteum cyst;
• disorders of the menstrual cycle (especially the absence of menstruation for more than six months);
• renal failure;
• dysfunction of the adrenal glands;
• neoplasms;
• taking certain medications.

With high progesterone, there are frequent mood swings, depression, irritability, enlargement of the mammary glands, tension and soreness in them.

Lowered progesterone levels

Deficiency of progesterone in early pregnancy increases the likelihood of miscarriage. A reduced concentration of the hormone is observed with insufficient function of the placenta, post-term pregnancy, and intrauterine growth retardation.

Low progesterone is observed in case of insufficiency of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, in which it shortens (less than 10 days pass from ovulation to the next menstruation). The reasons for the reduced hormone level after ovulation can be chronic inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs or the intake of certain medications. Also, progesterone deficiency is noted in patients with primary or secondary hypogonadism.

Progesterone receptors are also found in the skin. That is why, with the onset of menopause, a decrease in the content of sex hormones, including progesterone, leads to accelerated aging of the skin - a decrease in its elasticity, thinning, loss of moisture, the appearance and deepening of wrinkles.

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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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