Hormones play a very important role in a woman's body, but even more so during pregnancy. Several hormones are affected in their levels so that they can do their job and keep the pregnancy going. Let's see in this specific case the effects of progesterone in pregnancy and what are its effects and functions.
What is progesterone?
Well, progesterone is a female sex hormone, which is sometimes also called the pregnancy hormone. It is the most important hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and fertility. It begins to be produced in our body when we reach puberty, with our first menstrual cycle.
Every month progesterone is released by the ovaries after ovulation, and its levels remain high until the next menstruation appears. Its main function is prepare the endometrium (the inner layer of the uterus) for the possible implantation of the fertilized ovum if there was a fertilization, to get the pregnancy to go ahead. It prepares the endometrium so that it has the necessary reserves of nutrients so that the embryo has what it needs to develop. If the progesterone levels are not sufficient, the endometrium will not be prepared and a pregnancy will not occur.
What are the effects of progesterone in pregnancy?
Once the embryo implants in the endometrium, progesterone also plays an important role during pregnancy. At first this hormone is released by the ovaries until 8 weeks of gestation, and then it is produced by the placenta during the rest of the pregnancy.
Progesterone levels fluctuate as pregnancy develops. In the days around delivery, this hormone drops. Let's see what other important functions progesterone has during pregnancy, in addition to preparing the uterus for the embryo to nest:
- Muscle relaxation. Progesterone relaxes the uterus to prevent uterine contractions and premature labor. That is why women with risk of preterm birth or with a short cervix, progesterone is administered preventively.
- Maternal welfare. Its levels are associated with moments of greater maternal well-being. When progesterone levels drop too low, they are a factor in emotional lows or even postpartum depression.
- Prepares the body for breastfeeding. In the latter part of pregnancy, progesterone prepares the breast tissue for breastfeeding.
- Promotes elasticity. Pregnancy involves significant bulking, and progesterone helps increase the elasticity of body tissues to accommodate weight gain.
- Protect the baby. It has a protective effect, forming the mucous plug around it. Creates a barrier between the inside of the uterus and the vagina.
Artificial progesterone
As we have seen before, there are cases such as the risk of premature birth where artificial progesterone can be given. But I also do more cases where it can be used and with very favorable results.
En in vitro fertilization techniques It is also used artificially to increase the chances of implantation of the embryo, since given medication can lower your levels. It is usually used on the same day of the technique until week 10-12 of pregnancy, and then the placenta would be in charge of producing it naturally.
Another case where artificial progesterone can also be given is for regulate menstruation. If you have deficiencies or excess bleeding, your doctor can give you progesterone to normalize the bleeding. This is very important especially if you are looking for a pregnancy, and improves the physical and psychological changes that occur during these periods.
The administration of artificial progesterone can be done through injections, by vaginal gels, vaginal suppositories, or by pills. It can also have some side effects such as fluid retention, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, dizziness, increased breast tenderness, upset stomach, irritability or problems urinating. If this is your case, consult your doctor.
Because remember… progesterone is one of the most important hormones during pregnancy.