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 development of the fetus during pregnancy.
Some key facts about progesterone:
During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise, causing the lining of the uterus to thicken. If fertilization does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically. This triggers menstruation.
If fertilization does occur, the embryo produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to signal the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone. This supports the endometrial lining for implantation of the embryo.
Progesterone levels remain elevated during the nine months of pregnancy, preventing contractions of the uterus until labor begins. At delivery of the baby, progesterone levels quickly return to normal pre-pregnancy levels. This triggers milk production.
Some women take bioidentical progesterone supplements like those offered by Optimized Hormones to help correct imbalances. Low progesterone can cause symptoms like:
If you're experiencing fertility issues or significant hormone imbalance symptoms, consult a doctor specializing in hormone therapy, like the physicians at Optimized Hormones. Their cutting-edge bioidentical hormone treatments can help regulate estrogen and progesterone levels, restoring wellbeing.