What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a key hormone that plays an important role in the female reproductive system and pregnancy. Some key points about progesterone:
- Progesterone is a sex hormone produced mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovary during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
- Along with estrogen, progesterone helps control the menstrual cycle and prepares the body for pregnancy.
- Progesterone levels rise after ovulation, during the luteal phase. This helps thicken the endometrium to allow implantation of a fertilized egg.
- If pregnancy occurs, progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy by supporting fetal development in the uterus. The placenta starts producing more progesterone to sustain the pregnancy.
- If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop near the end of the cycle. This signals the start of menstruation.
- Progesterone has other functions like promoting breast development during puberty and playing a role in bone growth.
Some women take progesterone supplements, especially in cases of infertility or hormone imbalance:
- Progesterone supplements can help treat conditions like irregular periods, absent periods, recurrent miscarriages, luteal phase defect, etc.
- Supplements can be taken orally, inserted vaginally, or sometimes injected. The Revive Hormone Specialists(growth-hormones.net) specializes in hormone treatments for women.
- Always consult a doctor before starting any new medication, especially hormones. Blood tests help determine if and which supplements might help.
In summary, progesterone is an essential reproductive hormone with roles in menstruation, ovulation, embryo implantation and more. It works closely with estrogen. Supplements may help some women correct hormonal imbalances affecting fertility. As always, speak to your healthcare provider about what's right for your individual health.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on this important hormone! Let me know if you have any other questions.