Progesterone is crucial for pregnancy as it thickens the uterine lining and supports the embryo. Low levels can result in miscarriage, but supplements can be taken. Proper levels also prevent premature labor and ensure healthy fetal development.
Progesterone is one of the two main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle and tends to dominate the female body soon after ovulation. An increase in this hormone causes the uterine lining to remain thick, capable of allowing an embryo to implant. Conversely, a drop in progesterone signals the body to start shedding the uterine lining, resulting in menstruation instead of a healthy pregnancy. Thus, hormones such as progesterone greatly affect pregnancy, as the right amount of this substance allows pregnancy to occur in the first place and then flourish for the next nine months. Fortunately, progesterone levels can be monitored and adjusted if necessary.
Not only does progesterone affect pregnancy once it occurs, but it also plays a role in conception. Women who have had a few miscarriages very early, before the eighth week, may find that their progesterone levels are too low to support the pregnancy. In many cases, their egg was fertilized and tried to implant, but the period came anyway, expelling the embryo after the body started producing hCG, but before the embryo could attach itself safely to the uterine wall. . A leaky uterine lining despite the presence of an embryo usually indicates low progesterone levels, resulting in a positive pregnancy test early on, followed by a miscarriage. Women who believe their levels are low can go to a doctor and have tests shortly after ovulation to determine if they need treatment.
The normal amount of progesterone production after ovulation is around 15-30 mg per day, and this number should double, or even triple, after conception. Proper progesterone levels influence pregnancy by ensuring that all the common symptoms of early pregnancy are observed, such as nausea, breast tenderness, cervical changes and increased blood vessels, to name a few. In the third trimester, levels should increase to at least 300mg per day to make sure the fetus has everything it needs in the uterus. Normal progesterone levels affect pregnancy by ensuring that the uterus also does not contract prematurely, as this could lead to preterm labor.
Women who experience low levels of this hormone can use supplements to increase their progesterone. Doctors can prescribe pills that should be taken right after ovulation. Additionally, there are many natural progesterone creams on the market that can be bought over the counter and rubbed into the body. Pregnant women concerned about the effect of hormones such as progesterone on pregnancy should be aware that the placenta takes over the production of this hormone after the first trimester, meaning artificial treatments can be stopped at that point.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
