Progesterone is a steroid hormone found in men and women. It is generally known among women because it plays an important role during pregnancy. This hormone, together with the hormone estrogen, plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle. It also supports the placenta during pregnancy and plays a critical role in the development of the baby during pregnancy. However, the hormone progesterone also has various other roles; such as skin health, bone density and balancing other hormones in the body. Therefore, the hormone progesterone has a vital importance for the human body.
What is the hormone progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone and is produced naturally in men and women. In women, the hormone progesterone helps regulate the menstrual cycle together with the hormone estrogen. Every month, a woman’s body produces the hormone progesterone, causing the uterine walls to thicken. If pregnancy does not occur, the level of progesterone hormone drops and the uterine walls fall and menstruation occurs.
During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone plays an important role in supporting the placenta and ensuring the development of the baby. During pregnancy, the level of the hormone progesterone rises and increases the blood flow necessary for the development of the baby. Also, the hormone progesterone helps relax the uterine muscles during labor and can increase milk production for postpartum breastfeeding. Functions of progesterone hormone:
- The main task of the hormone progesterone is to help thicken the walls of the uterus together with the hormone estrogen.
- During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone supports the placenta and increases the blood flow necessary for the development of the baby.
- It helps relax the uterine muscles during cooling and can increase milk production for postpartum breastfeeding.
- It includes skin health, bone density and balancing other hormones.
- Together with the hormone estrogen, progesterone helps strengthen bones and maintains bone density.
- It can also help fight stress by reducing the effects of stress hormones such as progesterone hormone cortisol and adrenaline.
- Progesterone hormone also has an effect on the nervous system.
- It can affect mood, sleep quality, and brain function.
How much should the progesterone hormone be?
Progesterone is a hormone produced during the menstrual cycle of women and plays an important role in regulating the fertility cycle. However, normal progesterone levels can vary in different situations. For example, progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle vary depending on what stage of the cycle women are in and their fertility level.
Normally, in the first half of the women’s menstrual cycle, called the follicular phase, the level of progesterone hormone is quite low. However, after ovulation occurs, progesterone levels gradually increase and reach their highest point. If pregnancy does occur, progesterone levels remain high and are necessary to maintain the pregnancy. However, if pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop, which causes menstrual bleeding.
Normal progesterone levels can vary according to women’s age, menstrual cycle and pregnancy status. However, it is generally expected to be between 5-20 ng/mL in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (post ovulation). In pregnant women, progesterone levels may be even higher in the later weeks of pregnancy.
What are the side effects of progesterone hormone?
The most common side effects during progesterone hormone therapy include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, breast tenderness, skin rashes, and acne. These side effects usually occur a few days after the start of treatment and subside spontaneously within a few days. Some women may develop allergic reactions to progesterone hormone therapy. These reactions include skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing and palpitations. If you develop such a reaction, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Progesterone hormone therapy can cause emotional and mental symptoms in some women, such as depression, irritability, anxiety, weakness, memory problems, headaches, and dizziness. These symptoms usually go away after treatment is stopped. Progesterone hormone therapy can also cause serious side effects in rare cases. These side effects include an increased risk of diseases such as thrombosis (blood clotting), liver disease, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and uterine cancer. Therefore, you should discuss these risks with your doctor before taking progesterone hormone therapy.
What foods contain the hormone progesterone?
Progesterone is a hormone produced naturally in the body and cannot be obtained only from certain foods. However, some foods can be consumed to increase progesterone hormone production and maintain a balanced hormone level. Especially for women, it is important to consume adequate amounts of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates to maintain a balanced hormone level. Protein can increase the production of the hormone progesterone, especially when it comes from animal sources such as eggs, fish, chicken, red meat and dairy products.
Healthy fats can also support the production of the hormone progesterone. Eating healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and olive oil can help balance hormone levels. In addition, some nutrients, such as B vitamins and zinc, can help with the production of the hormone progesterone. Foods containing these nutrients include beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, seafood, and red meat.
What problems does progesterone deficiency cause?
Progesterone deficiency can cause menstrual irregularities, risk of miscarriage, risk of pre-pregnancy, increased risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis, and depression, anxiety, irritability, and other emotional symptoms in women.
How long does progesterone hormone therapy take?
Progesterone hormone therapy may vary depending on the purpose of the treatment and the patient’s health status. If progesterone supplementation is given during pregnancy, the treatment usually continues until the 36th week of pregnancy. In other cases, such as menstrual irregularities or menopausal symptoms, the duration of progesterone supplementation may vary and is determined by the doctor.
Who is progesterone hormone therapy not recommended for?
Progesterone hormone therapy is not recommended in some cases. For example, women with active liver disease or breast cancer should not receive this treatment. In addition, women with blood clotting problems or who have had this problem in the past should be careful about progesterone hormone therapy. The benefits and risks of treatment should be weighed against each individual’s health status and hormone levels.