There are several types of hormones that prevail in the female body and are responsible for the activity of the reproductive system and the whole organism. One of them is the hormone progesterone in women. It performs very important functions in the body. Incorrect development of it will carry many negative consequences. In this article, we will talk about what it is, what is the role of the hormone progesterone in women, and also find out when its production is considered normal and when failures occur in the body. Read the information provided carefully in order to arm and protect yourself as much as possible. So let's get started.
Hormones in a woman's body
As you know, a woman and a man on Earth have their own specific mission. So, the goal of the beautiful half of humanity is to procreate. Of course, the man is also involved in this process, but it is the woman who does most of the work.
Therefore, nature has done everything possible to ensure that the fair sex can endure and give birth to a child. This is possible due to the special structure of the body, as well as the work of certain female hormones, the level in the body of which is constantly changing. How hormones are produced is influenced by the age of the woman, as well as the phases of the cycle and other features of the body.
What is progesterone
So, let's look at what is the hormone progesterone in women. This hormone helps the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine cavity. Also, progesterone will help to create the most suitable and comfortable conditions for the development of the embryo. If the hormone progesterone in women is not produced in sufficient quantities, then the woman simply cannot become pregnant. In this case, doctors will prescribe the fair sex to undergo hormone therapy.
Where is produced
Most of the progesterone is produced in the ovaries. However, this hormone is also produced in small amounts by the pituitary and adrenal glands. All these zones should work in harmony, as they are links in the same chain. Only in this case, the woman will be he althy and will have every chance to endure and give birth to a he althy baby.
Usually, only those girls and women who are preparing for future motherhood are worried about the production of this hormone. ATthis hormone does not interfere with everyday life.
What is the hormone progesterone responsible for in women
As we have already said, the main purpose of this hormone is the ability of a woman to endure and give birth to a child. Consider what kind of processes in the body occur due to the activity of this hormone:
It helps to prepare the female reproductive system for the process of conception, and also prepares the body for bearing a child and for a successful birth
- The hormone promotes the fertilization of the egg, as well as its attachment to the wall of the uterus. This is very important, because the body may think that a foreign body is attached, and therefore will cause it to be rejected. Prolactin will make sure that this simply does not happen.
- Very many women are interested in the question of what the hormone progesterone is responsible for in women. Its role in the body is really very important, as it is able to slow down the production of estrogen, which will eliminate the possibility of abortion. Throughout pregnancy, this hormone will control the production of estrogen so that a woman can give birth to a he althy baby at term.
- Lack of the hormone progesterone in women can cause the uterus to not expand as the baby grows. Normal indicators of this hormone will prepare the uterine cavity for stretching, which means that the fetus will develop in the right and comfortable conditions.
- This hormone, together with prolactin, will prepare milkglands of a woman to the process of lactation and at the same time take care that cysts do not form in the ducts of the mammary glands.
- And, of course, do not forget about the maternal instinct, which is formed precisely due to the production of the hormone prolactin.
Additional features
However, do not think that the hormone progesterone is only responsible for preparing the female body for the process of conceiving and bearing a child. In fact, this hormone performs many other functions. Consider what exactly he does:
- Takes an active part in metabolic processes. It controls the amount of glucose in the blood, and also helps to ensure that the resulting fat is converted into energy, so necessary for the body to function.
- At the same time, the hormone also controls the work of the sebaceous glands. Sometimes excessively oily or, conversely, dry skin occurs due to improper production of the hormone progesterone.
- It can also increase blood pressure.
- Progesterone also affects a woman's sexual desire. A woman begins to strongly want sex precisely at those moments that are most suitable for the onset of conception. If a woman does not want to become pregnant, it is very important to take all necessary contraceptive measures, as the chance of getting pregnant increases several times.
It is progesterone that can be the reason that the girl has strong jumps in mood changes during the period of menstruation, as well as before them. Sucha condition called PMS.
Progesterone levels
It cannot be said that there are certain indicators of progesterone, since the level of this hormone will fluctuate throughout life, depending on the age, individual characteristics of a particular woman, as well as the processes taking place in her body. Usually, a woman begins to think about the level of this hormone if she still does not begin the process of conception.
Please note: a progesterone hormone test in women will give different results in the first and second phases of the cycle, as well as when using hormonal methods of contraception or in the presence of any diseases, especially pathologies of the endocrine system. In order to understand what is the norm of progesterone, you need to take into account the average indicators, which depend on the age of the woman, as well as the absence or presence of pregnancy.
Normal rates in the absence of pregnancy in women of childbearing potential
So, let's consider what is the norm of this hormone in the blood based on the phase of the menstrual cycle:
- The first phase of the cycle is usually characterized by the formation of a dominant follicle in the ovary. In this case, there are from 0.32 to 2.23 units of progesterone per liter of blood.
- The second phase is called ovulation. In this case, the ovary ruptures and the egg is released. In this case, the norm will be from 0.49 to 9.41 units of the hormone progesterone per liter of blood.
- Well, the third phase is to prepare the endometrium for the exit, as well as for the beginning of menstrual flow. Normacounts from 7 to 56, 63 units of the hormone per liter of blood.
However, these figures may vary if a woman is taking certain hormonal drugs. This must be taken into account to determine accurate results.
Increased hormone levels
Sometimes there are situations when the hormone progesterone in women is elevated. This condition is pathological, so it is very important to identify why it has arisen. So, let's consider in what cases a condition can be observed when the hormone 17-OH progesterone in women is increased:
- Improper functioning of the kidneys, including kidney failure. Kidney diseases very often provoke an increased content of this hormone in the blood.
- Presence of intrauterine bleeding. Do not confuse this condition with natural menstrual processes.
- An increase in progesterone levels can also be observed in the occurrence of a tumor of the corpus luteum, as well as in the presence of various diseases of the uterus.
- Progesterone levels can rise if a woman takes medications uncontrollably and leads an unhe althy lifestyle.
Symptoms of elevated levels of these hormones are:
- appearance of acne on the face, as well as throughout the body;
- disruptions in the menstrual cycle, pain in the abdomen and mammary glands;
- mood swings, headache, high blood pressure;
- Sudden weight gain and excessive sweating.
Decrease in the level of progesterone in the blood
If the hormone progesterone is lowered in a woman, then this also indicates the presence of some abnormalities in the body. Consider what can lower the blood level of this hormone:
- corpus luteum and placenta are underactive;
- occurrence of intrauterine bleeding, as well as cases of miscarriage;
- progesterone levels can not only increase, but also decrease due to the use of certain medications, as well as the conduct of an unhe althy lifestyle.
In order to understand that the level of this hormone is low, you need to pay attention to symptoms such as:
- very frequent mood swings regardless of cycle phase;
- heavy weight gains;
- wrong menstrual cycle;
- severe hair loss.
Progesterone testing
Many representatives of the beautiful half of humanity are wondering when to donate the hormone progesterone in women. Usually this analysis is prescribed to non-pregnant women when the corpus luteum is considered the most developed. This phenomenon occurs on the seventh day of the third phase of the cycle. If the patient has her period for exactly twenty-eight days, then this analysis can be scheduled on the twenty-first day of the cycle.
It is not recommended to eat fatty foods twenty-four hours before this test. You need to come to the hospital in the morning, before breakfast. In the evening, before taking the test, give up coffee, tea,alcoholic beverages, as well as tobacco products.
Usually, such an analysis is prescribed in cases where a woman cannot become pregnant for a long time, or there is a high risk of miscarriage.
How to normalize the hormonal state
Women who are unable to conceive due to low levels of female hormones are wondering how to increase the hormone progesterone in women. Usually, drugs that contain hormonal or synthetic hormones are prescribed for this. They are usually prescribed in the form of tablets, but in some cases they can be given as injections intended for intravenous administration. Keep in mind that synthetic hormones are more effective, but they also lead to more side effects. Therefore, only an experienced qualified he althcare provider can weigh the pros and cons before prescribing a drug for you.
Contraindications for the use of artificial hormones
Not all women can resort to hormone therapy. There are a large number of contraindications when its use is strictly prohibited. Consider the main cases when this cannot be done:
- in the presence of malignant tumors in the organs of the reproductive system;
- in the presence of bleeding of unknown origin;
- with dangerous liver diseases;
hormonal preparations are not recommended for use in the presence of serious vascular pathologies, as well asafter a stroke or heart attack
Maintaining the correct hormonal levels
In order to maintain the norm of the hormone 17-OH progesterone in women, it is very important to lead a correct lifestyle. Doctors strongly recommend that all representatives of the weaker sex adhere to the following recommendations:
- eat only he althy foods, while increasing the amount of protein and reducing easily digestible carbohydrates;
- exercise regularly;
- avoid stressful conditions;
- learn how to properly alternate between work and rest;
- replace bad habits with good ones;
- Take additional vitamin complexes, especially during pregnancy and when dieting.
The use of hormonal drugs is the easiest and most proven method to increase the hormone progesterone in women. However, maintaining a he althy lifestyle will also help you balance your own hormones.
Conclusions
Estrogen, progesterone and prolactin are the woman's hormones that are responsible for her he alth, as well as for the opportunity to become a mother. If you want to experience all the delights of motherhood, you need to monitor the level of these hormones in your body.
Don't forget that you have only one he alth, so every day take care of its preservation and improvement. Take care of yourself, take care of yourself, and you will notice how your body will begin to take care of you. Do not ignore going to the doctor, especially if you want to become a mother. Take care of yourself andstay he althy!
