Progesterone, a hormone that prepares for pregnancy

 

What is the role of progesterone in pregnancy?

“Progesterone, or progestogen hormone, is beneficial for pregnancy since it is this which permeates the uterine lining to prepare it for implantation, that is to say for the implantation of the embryo”, explains Prof. Cyril Huissoud. “This steroid hormone is made after ovulation, which is in the second half of the menstrual cycle, after the ovary has released the egg. It plays a central role in the luteal phase. If the secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum decreases in the days that follow, this induces the signal that there has been no embryonic implantation, and this is what will trigger the rules, ”he continues.

Progesterone and estrogen: who does what?

Outside of pregnancy, progesterone balances the action of estrogen in different tissues. Estrogens, other hormones, grow the lining, while progestins ripen it – to prepare for implantation – and tend to atrophy. ” Some women have a lot of estrogen and little progesterone, a sign that they are ovulating little and which can result in breast tension, mood swings, an irregularity of the menstrual cycle or nausea, ”explains Professor Cyril Huissoud. When a woman has regular cycles, on average 28 days, this indicates on the contrary that she is ovulating correctly.

Can we give progesterone to get pregnant?

“When you have short cycles or are faced with a miscarriage, a blood test can reveal low progesterone levels. These women usually suffer from a lack of progesterone secretion, also called luteal insufficiency », Explains Professor Cyril Huissoud. “Of course, it is not progesterone which is responsible for ovulation, it simply creates the conditions favorable to embryonic implantation,” he recalls. “Depending on the case, to support this establishment, progesterone eggs may be prescribed by the gynecologist, ”he explains. There are no side effects from taking these eggs, apart from vaginal discharge which may cause temporary discomfort. ” Women who do not ovulate, on the other hand, do not secrete progesterone. », Notes the Professor. When ovulation disorders are found, or in the event of the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome, the doctors will direct you to a very supervised ovarian stimulation protocol.

The functions of progesterone during pregnancy

Subsequently, when the pregnancy is installed, progesterone fulfills several functions. It helps the body to keep the baby in the womb for nine months and to adapt to the increased blood volume it is facing thanks to its effect “Relaxant” on the venous walls. Note that during this period, it is common to suffer from a feeling of heaviness in the legs, constipation or acid reflux. This is one of the classic little ailments of pregnancy!

On the other hand, the role of the progestogen hormone is to increase the surface area of ​​the mammary glands and, therefore, to prepare the body of the mother-to-be for breastfeeding. Because nature is an incredibly well-honed machine, its rate drops significantly at the end of pregnancy, which allows the uterus to contract well to expel the baby during childbirth.

 

Leave a Reply