What is the significance of progesterone in women's health?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 27-year-old female. I am 12 weeks pregnant now. I would like to know the significance of progesterone in women's health. How does progesterone work to support pregnancy? I am curious about its functions, fluctuations, and work in various stages of a woman's life, such as puberty, menstruation, and menopause.
Kindly guide.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Progesterone is essentially for the early growth of pregnancy; a lack of it leads to early pregnancy failure. After ovulation, the remnant of the ovulated egg is called the corpus luteum. This secretes progesterone, which sustains the early pregnancy until the placenta fully takes over that function by 12 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. So, progesterone is essential for fetal growth throughout pregnancy.
At puberty, it stimulates breast bud development. However, its major function is controlling the second half of the menstrual cycle. If pregnancy does not occur, a fall in progesterone levels causes menstruation.
So, progesterone functions primarily:
1. To stimulate breast bud development.
2. Prepare the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) for pregnancy.
3. A fall in its concentration plays a vital role in inducing a period if pregnancy does not occur.
4. Sustains the early stages and later stages of pregnancy.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
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