Progesterone in pregnancy

During pregnancy, progesterone is produced by the body in fairly large quantities, progressing geometrically throughout all the months of bearing the baby, and sharply decreasing only in the last week before birth.

Progesterone is one of the main female hormones, which is synthesized by the ovaries and adrenal cortex with the participation of luteotropic hormone.

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Progesterone when planning pregnancy

Without progesterone, pregnancy is impossible: it not only ensures the implantation process itself, but also participates in the growth and formation of the fetus, and supports pregnancy. Low levels of this hormone can lead to underdevelopment of the embryo and spontaneous miscarriage.

Progesterone is synthesized in the female body throughout the menstrual cycle: during ovulation, yellow bodies are formed in the ovaries, which begin to intensively produce the necessary hormone. Why?

Progesterone takes an active part in the implantation process, it allows the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine walls, and also controls the intensity of uterine contractions, preventing the possibility of spontaneous abortion.

Progesterone levels usually rise during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which creates favorable conditions and prepares the ground for the development of the embryo and the normal course of pregnancy.

In addition, progesterone also performs other functions in the body: it prevents the formation of fibrous cystic formations, promotes the use of fatty tissues to release additional energy, and stabilizes glucose levels and blood viscosity.

Progesterone is an important element of a woman’s reproductive health, both during the planning period, gestation, and throughout her life.

How does progesterone affect pregnancy?

Progesterone supports pregnancy throughout its entire duration. It promotes the transition of the endometrium into the state of decidual tissue, which has the ability to attach an embryo to itself and ensure its full development. Progesterone controls the tone of the uterine walls and also strengthens the muscles of the cervix, which significantly reduces the risk of miscarriage.

A decrease in the amount of progesterone during pregnancy leads to irreversible consequences - termination of pregnancy. It is believed that the content of progesterone in the blood in an amount less than 7 ng / ml (from 4 to 10 weeks) is an indicator of an imminent termination of pregnancy. The level of this hormone in the blood should be elevated throughout the entire period of bearing the baby.

The hormone progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the production of substances necessary for the nutrition and life of the fetus. The hormone level increases as pregnancy progresses and reaches more than 400 ng/ml by the last weeks.

Progesterone levels during pregnancy

If the egg is successfully fertilized and the corpus luteum functions normally, progesterone will begin to be synthesized at an increased rate in the early stages of pregnancy. The production of the hormone after 16 weeks of gestation is almost entirely the responsibility of the placental membrane of the fetus, which at this time will already be able to fully perform its functions.

During each month, the hormone level will inevitably increase: by its amount, the doctor can determine the state of the placental membrane, the absence of pathology in the development of the embryo. Usually, women take a progesterone test during pregnancy more than once in order to be able to control the amount of the hormone.

The normal progesterone levels in the blood may differ slightly in different laboratories, so when taking tests, check the compliance of the indicators with your doctor or directly in the laboratory. The most common scheme of indicators is as follows:

• First trimester – 11.2-90.0 ng/ml
• Second trimester – 25.6-89.4 ng/ml
• Third trimester – 48.4-422.5 ng/ml

Blood tests for hormones should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. If you are taking any medications, be sure to inform the laboratory about this, as some medications can distort the actual progesterone levels.

Increased progesterone during pregnancy may signal the development of some pathology in the body, for example, disturbances in the formation of the placental membrane.

Low progesterone during pregnancy can signal the following problems in the body:

• threat of termination of pregnancy;
• threat of frozen pregnancy;
• decreased functionality of the placenta;
• fetal malformations and developmental defects;
• in later stages it creates a risk of post-term pregnancy.

Pregnancy with low progesterone is supported by the administration of hormonal drugs that stabilize the level of the hormone in the blood.

17-OH progesterone during pregnancy

What is 17-OH progesterone? It is a metabolite, an intermediate product of a biochemical reaction during the synthesis of progesterone. It is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and placenta. Very often women worry about high levels of this hormone. However, we can reassure you: the level of 17-OH progesterone can fluctuate within quite large limits, and there is no generally accepted norm for it during pregnancy. The laboratories themselves can give a relative definition of the level of hydroxyprogesterone, however, this is only an approximate estimate of the analysis.

The reasons for the increase in 17-OH progesterone during pregnancy are the simultaneous increase in the concentration of normal progesterone. 17-hydroxyprogesterone is also synthesized by the placenta, but from the second trimester, its production begins in the adrenal glands of the embryo.

Elevated levels of hydroxyprogesterone are not considered pathological. When the amount of normal progesterone is within the acceptable range, there is no need to worry about exceeding the level of 17-OH progesterone.

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Progesterone levels by week of pregnancy

The hormone progesterone gradually increases during the weeks of pregnancy. It is not necessary to strictly control it; the doctor sends the woman for analysis only if there is a suspicion of deviations from the norm in one direction or another.

• at 1 week of pregnancy – 11.2> ng/ml
• at 2 weeks of pregnancy – 11.2> ng/ml
• at 3 weeks of pregnancy – 15.0> ng/ml
• at 4 weeks of pregnancy – 18.8> ng/ml
• at 5 weeks of pregnancy – 19.0-22.0 ng/ml
• at 6 weeks of pregnancy – 20.0-32.0 ng/ml
• at 7 weeks of pregnancy – 30.0-37.0 ng/ml
• at 8 weeks of pregnancy – 30.0-39.0 ng/ml
• at 9 weeks of pregnancy – 33.0-45.0 ng/ml
• at 10 weeks of pregnancy – 38.0-50.0 ng/ml

Progesterone continues to increase in the second trimester of pregnancy, reaching 90 ng/ml.

When deciphering the indicators, be sure to take into account the fact that such tests can only be assessed by your doctor based on data from the specific laboratory where the blood was donated, since the standards for each research center may be different.

Progesterone during twin pregnancy in the early stages of pregnancy and up to 7-8 weeks can increase according to normal indicators, regardless of the presence of a larger number of fetuses.

Progesterone preparations during pregnancy

Medicines containing progesterone can be prescribed mainly when the body's own progesterone production decreases, as well as as preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at reducing the risk of threatened spontaneous miscarriage.

In case of insufficient function of the corpus luteum in the first trimester, progesterone is administered daily or every other day until the risk of miscarriage is completely eliminated. In case of so-called "habitual" spontaneous abortions, hormonal agents are used up to the fourth month of pregnancy.

Progesterone preparations are usually prescribed until the 36th week of gestation, after which the use of such medications is discontinued.

The most common progesterone preparations today are Duphaston, Utrozhestan and, actually, progesterone (its analogue - Injesta) - injection solution. These preparations can be prescribed in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, the appropriateness of use, as well as the dosage and treatment regimen are prescribed by the doctor. Self-medication with hormonal agents is strictly unacceptable!

How to increase progesterone during pregnancy?

There are several ways to increase the level of progesterone in the blood.

The first, most effective and acceptable is the medicinal method. The doctor may prescribe one or more progesterone preparations according to indications:

• oil solution of progesterone - use 10-25 mg daily or every other day until the threat of miscarriage disappears;
• ingesta – injection solution, administered 0.5-2.5 ml of 1% solution daily or every other day;
• Utrozhestan - progesterone capsules, can be used both orally and intravaginally. Prescribed 200-400 mg orally every 6-8 hours, the maintenance dose is 100-200 mg three times a day. Intravaginal use involves the administration of the drug in a dosage of 100-200 mg per dose every 12 hours until the 12th week of pregnancy;
• Duphaston is a synthetic analogue of progesterone (dydrogesterone), prescribed at 10 mg every 8 hours. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor on an individual basis, the drug can be used up to 14-20 weeks of pregnancy.

Folk remedies for increasing progesterone levels in the blood exist, but their use during pregnancy can have unpredictable consequences, so the possibility of using herbs and infusions should be assessed by your doctor.

If the progesterone level is not critically low, it can be increased with a special diet. A woman's daily diet should include a sufficient amount of legumes, nuts, dairy products, various types of meat, eggs, soy, hard cheeses. And the most important condition is not to worry! After all, your future child is worried along with you, and he does not need this at all.

Whatever the result of your progesterone test during pregnancy, do not jump to conclusions. Go to the doctor, he will explain everything to you. Most likely, after visiting the doctor, you will have no reason to worry! Modern medicine is able to control the level of hormones for the normal course of pregnancy.