Progesterone Definition
Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone that plays a role in the human menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis. It is the body's main progestogen and belongs to a group of steroid hormones known as progestogens. Progesterone serves a number of vital roles in the human body. It's also an essential metabolic intermediate in the synthesis of other endogenous steroids, such as sex hormones and corticosteroids, and as a neurosteroid, which plays an important role in brain function.
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Progesterone is a natural hormone that is often used as a medicine for abortion, to minimise the risk of uterine or cervical cancer, and for menopausal hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in situations where a woman's ovaries have been removed due to cancer or other physical problems. The first time it was administered was in 1934.
Hormones are small molecules released by glands that move through the bloodstream until they meet an organ whose cells contain the hormone's specific receptors. The uterus, vagina, cervix, breasts, and testes, as well as the liver, blood vessels, and bones, are all affected by progesterone.
Where is Progesterone Produced?
The body uses cholesterol as the building block in making progesterone (source of progesterone), and it is mainly produced in the ovaries by the corpus luteum. This area is developed after the ovulation and the follicle around the egg collapses, Some of the progesterone is also produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, and during the pregnancy, the placenta produces the progesterone.
Progesterone Structure
In the year 1930, two prominent American medical experts – physician George Washington Corner and gynaecologist Willard Myron Allen – discovered the existence of the reproductive hormone progesterone. These two scientists were among the first to isolate and purify this hormone as part of their pioneering research into its functions and potential applications in medicine and therapy in 1933. In 1934, the influential German biochemist Adolf Butenandt deduced the chemical progesterone structure, for which he was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939.
In humans, the progesterone hormone is made from a cholesterol-derived precursor material called pregnenolone. It is a steroid hormone that belongs to the progestogen class of biochemical compounds, with a bioactive structure consisting of four rings primarily made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules bound together in a specific arrangement. Progesterone has the molecular formula C21H30O2 and a molar mass of 314.469 g/mol, with mole being the international standard unit for calculating the molecular weight of the chemical compounds.
What is the Function of Progesterone Hormone?
The chemical messenger and hormonal compound progesterone are involved in numerous vital roles in the body, some of the progesterone hormone functions are given below:
Regulating menstrual cycles in adolescence and adulthood and averting instances of irregular periods.
Promoting the normal development of breasts in women, along with estrogen.
Ensuring a healthy pregnancy and optimal nourishment of the developing foetus.
It helps to maintain the hormonal functions in women at the onset of menopause, along with estrogen, are some of the important progesterone functions in females.
Supporting healthy sperm development in males, although being produced in very small amounts in men.
Progesterone enhances the elasticity of the skin and it also slow downs ageing in menopausal women, along with estrogen.
Boosting immunity by conferring anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective i.e. safeguarding cells properties.
Promotes smooth relay of signals via nerves, uplifts brain functions and lowers the risk of stroke.
Why Do You Need Progesterone?
In both men and women, progesterone is a hormone. It is more important for women because it is linked to menopause, pregnancy, and overall health. If you're a woman trying to conceive, you may want to consider rising your progesterone levels, Low progesterone levels in human leads to:
infertility or miscarriages
uterine bleeding or irregular periods and spotting
sex drive
weight gain
Progesterone comes in a variety of ways that a doctor may prescribe. Synthetic progestins, also known as estrogens, are available, but they're linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Continue reading to learn more about natural progesterone, its benefits, risks, and other details.
Natural Progesterone Foods
All the food does not have progesterone, but some of the food will help to stimulate the production of progesterone in the human body. Some of the foods are:
Beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kale
Nuts
Pumpkin
Spinach
Whole grains
Some of the foods also results in lowering the level of estrogen in the human body, wich could increase the ratio of progesterone to estrogen, that includes:
Bananas
Cabbage
Shellfish
Walnuts
Consuming the foods mentioned above in the diet, will help to boost the natural progesterone level.
What are the Benefits and Risks of Natural Progesterone?
Benefits
Natural progesterone has a number of advantages,
including the ability to protect the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
uterine cancer prevention.
Keeping HDL cholesterol (also known as "strong" cholesterol) at a healthy level.
reducing the signs and symptoms of menopause.
Mood changes.
Synthetic hormones (negative side effects are being reduced).
Side effects
You might experience some changes and symptoms with natural progesterone, such as breast tenderness, headaches, and depression. However, synthetic progesterone is more often linked to these symptoms. If you have these signs, they will usually go away if you continue to take natural progesterone.
Before applying it all over your body, do a patch test with topical creams. To perform the patch examination, apply a small amount of cream to your wrist and wait 24 hours to see if you experience itching, redness, or swelling.
How Does Progesterone Change During the Menstrual Cycle?
Prior to ovulation = lower progesterone
Progesterone levels are low at the start of the menstrual cycle (during the period) and remain low throughout the follicular stage (4,7).
After ovulation = higher progesterone
After ovulation, progesterone is the primary hormone (the luteal phase). The corpus luteum, which is the region on the ovary formed by the collapsed follicle that housed the ovulated egg, produces progesterone. In the middle of the luteal process, progesterone levels reach their highest point (8,9). The corpus luteum begins to break down 9 to 10 days after ovulation if pregnancy does not occur, causing progesterone levels to fall and the cycle to begin (1,4).
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Adverse Effects on Imbalance in Progesterone Levels:
Low Levels
Low progesterone levels can cause irregular periods, amenorrhea, spotting, and extreme abdominal pain during pregnancy. It also increases the chances of miscarriage and causes rapid weight gain.Low levels of progesterone can often result in extremely high levels of oestrogen in the bloodstream. As a result, women experience elevated sex drive or libido, as well as liver problems and gall bladder issues.
High Levels
Very high levels of progesterone do not cause any serious problems. During pregnancy, the circulating concentrations of this hormone are naturally higher to meet the increasing nutritional needs of the pregnant woman and her developing foetus. However, excessive progesterone production is linked to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an unusual birth defect in newborns, as well as an increased risk of breast cancer in middle-aged and elderly people.
Facts to Know
Any hormone replacement product that has similar effects on the uterus as progesterone, the naturally occurring source of the hormone released in a woman's body, is referred to as a progestogen. Synthetic forms of progesterone are known as progestins.
Progesterone hormone function is to protect the endometrium, or uterine lining.
To avoid endometrial buildup, which may lead to cancer, progestogens are used in combination hormone therapies with oestrogen.
You will not produce enough progesterone after menopause.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms including breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings are thought to be caused in part by progesterone.
Progestogens can be used to treat a number of disorders, including menstrual disturbances and endometriosis; breast, prostate, or uterine cancer, and appetite and weight loss in AIDS patients, in addition to menopausal hormone therapy and birth control. The natural hormone progesterone can also be used to reduce pregnancy loss and preterm labour.
If you can't take a combination product with oestrogen or are worried about estrogen's side effects, progestin-only contraceptives might be a good choice. They are suitable for older women, especially smokers who want to use an oral hormonal contraceptive method, as well as postpartum and/or breastfeeding mothers.
If taken correctly, progestin-only mini-pills are very effective at preventing pregnancy (about 97 percent). To be successful, they must be taken at the same time every day.
Progestogens are often used to assess whether oestrogen is being developed as a diagnostic tool. A woman takes progestin pills for five or more days in a "progestin challenge" exercise, when the progestin is stopped, bleeding ensues if sufficient estrogen is present.
Hormone-based treatments aren't the only way to prevent pregnancy or alleviate menopausal symptoms. For your health care provider, inquire about and explore all of your choices.
