Progesterone is a female sex hormone produced by the yellow body and placenta, if a woman is pregnant. However, in a small amount this substance is inherent in the male body, as it is produced by the adrenal cortex in both women and men. However, in men its concentration is negligible.
The level of progesterone in the female body rises in the second phase of the cycle, after a ripe egg breaks the follicle and goes on a journey in search of male sperm. The follicle, from which it broke free, turns into a yellow body, which starts active progesterone hormone secretion.
The normal level of progesterone in women ensures proper preparation of the organism, in particular - the uterus, for a possible pregnancy. Under the influence of the hormone, the inner surface of the uterus loosens and becomes ready to receive a fertilized egg. In addition, progesterone reduces the intensity of contraction of the poppy, which also has a beneficial effect on the implantation and development of the embryo.
When the placenta develops to such an extent that it can already take care of the nourishment and breathing of the child, the yellow body transfers the function of producing progesterone to it. Approximately from the 16th week, progesterone produces the placenta.
The low level of progesterone in women, even in a non-pregnant state, does not bear anything good. It testifies to the absence of ovulation, insufficient function of the yellow body or placenta, a true pregnancy delay, a threatening abortion, a delay in intrauterine development of the child, a chronic inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system.
Often, when there is a shortage of progesterone, the menstrual cycle is disrupted in a woman, unauthorized uterine bleeding occurs that is not associated with menstruation. Sometimes low progesterone is the result of long-term use of certain medications.
Hormone progesterone - what is the norm?
As already mentioned, the progesterone level rises to the lutein (second) phase of the cycle, then its rate is 6.99-56.63 nmol / l. This is several times greater than in the follicular phase, when its concentration is of the order of 0.32-2.22 nmol / l.
As for pregnancy, the norm of progesterone depends on the trimester. Let us consider in more detail. So, the norm of progesterone in pregnant women:
- in the first trimester - 8,9-468,4 nmol / l;
- in the second trimester - 71.5-303.1 nmol / l;
- in the third trimester - 88.7-771.5 nmol / l.
As we can see, the level of progesterone normally rises most significantly in the first trimester, however, its growth continues throughout pregnancy. Before the birth, the concentration may slightly decrease, and after the birth of the child soon the hormonal background will return to normal, that is, it will return to the "non-pregnant" numbers.
As for men, for them the progesterone rate is of the order of 0.32-0.64 nmol / l. And even less. The same insignificant figures are observed in postmenopausal women, that is, during the period
Analysis for progesterone - determine the rate
To get adequate results of the analysis, the blood must be taken in a certain phase of the cycle, from the veins and on an empty stomach. The direction for analysis is usually given by a gynecologist or endocrinologist who suspected something is amiss and is looking for the cause. Usually the blood is given on the 22-23 day of the menstrual cycle.
If your cycle has an enviable regularity, then one analysis, submitted one week before the month, is enough. If the cycle is irregular, you will have to go through the procedure several times, focusing on changes in basal temperature (5-7 days after its sharp rise).