What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays a vital role in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Known as the "pregnancy hormone", progesterone helps prepare the body for conception and supports the early stages of embryo development in the uterus.
Some key facts about progesterone:
- Produced mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation. Also produced in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands and placenta during pregnancy.
- Along with estrogen, progesterone helps control the menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels peak towards ovulation, causing the follicle to rupture and release the egg. After ovulation, the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum which starts secreting more progesterone to thicken the uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy.
- During the early months of pregnancy, the placenta takes over progesterone production to support the growth of the fetus. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus, reduces contraction of the uterine muscle to prevent miscarriage, and promotes development of blood vessels in the uterus.
- If conception does not occur during the cycle, progesterone levels drop sharply causing menstruation, where the thickened uterine lining is shed. The cycle then starts again.
So in summary, progesterone plays a key role in regulating the reproductive cycle and promoting embryo growth in early pregnancy. Deficiencies in progesterone can cause issues like irregular periods, difficulty conceiving and sustaining pregnancy. This is where progesterone supplements may help.
I hope this gives you a good overview explaining what progesterone is. Let me know if you have any other questions!