As you can see women really do need progesterone!
Levels of progesterone can affect endocrine disorders like breast disease, breast cancer, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and infertility. Low progesterone levels are also essential for carrying a pregnancy full term. Without enough of it the pregnancy can result in miscarriage, especially in the first trimester before the placenta ups it’s production of progesterone to help maintain the pregnancy.
How is progesterone made?
Hormone generation starts out in the brain with the pituitary gland. This is where the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) get produced. These hormones are essential for the egg in the ovaries to mature and ripen. Every month during ovulation, this egg is released from the ovarian follicle ready for impregnation.
The ovarian follicle makes Estrogen and Progesterone as it develops. Estrogen works (before ovulation) to thicken the lining of the uterus and progesterone maintains the strength of the lining (after ovulation).
During the second half of the menstrual cycle, after the egg has been released, progesterone production levels increase. This is when the corpus luteum takes over and the production of progesterone and estrogen.
How does progesterone help fertility?
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Progesterone is needed by the endometrium so it can work to secrete special proteins during the second half of the menstrual cycle. These proteins are needed to the body can prepare itself to receive and nourish an implanted
fertilized egg. If you have not conceived and there is no implantation to support, the progesterone levels drop and you get your period. If implantation does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and the endometrium breaks down. When this happens you menstruate and the cycle starts again.
If you do conceive then progesterone and estrogen levels remain high throughout the pregnancy and after the first trimester the placenta also starts producing progesterone to help the pregnancy along and avoid bleeding.