It happens that a woman suffers from menstrual cycle disorders. Without a doubt, this is a major abnormality that should be reported to the doctor immediately. Most often, in this case, after a detailed interview, a progesterone test is ordered. What does such a study look like and what exactly does it involve?
The purpose of such a test is primarily to induce menstruation by taking progesterone, a female hormone, by the patient. It is the second most important hormone after estrogen because it makes monthly bleeding regular. Its concentration increases in the second phase of the cycle – it is necessary for ovulation. Too little of this hormone often occurs with ovarian failure. Here are the different steps in a progesterone test:
- Progesterone is administered to the patient orally for five to seven days, analogous to hormonal contraception. It can also be taken vaginally.
- Bleeding should occur after discontinuation of the preparation.
- If this is the case, it means that the ovaries and uterus are functioning as they should, and the problem is in the hormonal zone. The cause of menstrual disorders is then dysfunction on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
- A negative result, i.e. no menstruation for 14 days after stopping progesterone, means that the ovaries do not secrete the estradiol necessary for the growth of the lining of the womb.
- This test is performed only in patients with normal serum prolactin levels.
In addition, other hormonal tests may be performed at the same time to pinpoint the exact cause of the bleeding disorder. A negative result, i.e. no menstruation despite taking progesterone, can also mean:
- pregnancy,
- Menopause,
- A developed defect of the reproductive system,
- Atresia of the reproductive organs that blocks blood loss.
The World Health Organization classifies menstrual disorders into several categories, as these types of problems can be the result of many factors. Carrying out appropriate research, such as e.g. progesterone test can help determine the most appropriate treatment. The causes of amenorrhea can be:
- Defects or acquired damage to the uterus,
- Post-traumatic, post-inflammatory tumors, damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary area,
- ovarian failure,
- Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency,
- Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis,
- Prolactin-producing tumors in the hypothalamic-pituitary region,
- Hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction with hyperprolactinaemia.