Progesterone - Balance Health Clinic

What is Progesterone?

Progesterone is an important hormone that plays a vital role in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

What Does Progesterone Do?

• Regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the body for pregnancy each month
• Thickens the lining of the uterus to support a growing fetus during pregnancy
• Helps maintain pregnancy by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the uterus
• Works with estrogen during the menstrual cycle
• Helps breasts develop during puberty and pregnancy

Progesterone is sometimes called the "pregnancy hormone" because of its important role in pregnancy.

Where Does Progesterone Come From?

During the menstrual cycle, progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, which forms in the ovary after the egg has been released. The corpus luteum makes progesterone to thicken and prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.

If pregnancy occurs, the placenta takes over progesterone production about 10-12 weeks into the pregnancy. The placenta makes high levels of progesterone to support the developing baby throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.

Progesterone levels fall dramatically prior to menstruation if no pregnancy occurs, which triggers menstruation.

Progesterone Levels Throughout Life

• Puberty: Helps stimulate breast development and regulate periods
• Menstrual cycle: Levels rise after ovulation and stay elevated in pregnancy
• Menopause: Levels decline as women near menopause. Supplements may help manage perimenopause symptoms
• Men: Present at lower levels than women

Monitoring progesterone levels can provide important information for doctors about a woman's reproductive health and fertility.

I hope this gives you a good overview of the important hormone progesterone!