Health Library
Girl's -Woman Sooner Than Expected Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia - What is it? |
The Importance of ProgesteroneRedbook (Vol. 172, No. 4) printed a review of the role of progesterone in women's health. The article is based on information provided by a fertility specialist who is also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Readers are told that progesterone assures uniform shedding of the uterine lining each month. Whereas estrogen builds up the endometrium during the first half of each menstrual cycle, progesterone prepares it for the implantation of the fertilized egg after ovulation. If fertilization does not occur, the ovaries stop production of progesterone, (usually after 14 days), and menstruation begins. If fertilization does occur, adequate amounts of progesterone in the uterine wall will allow the egg to attach itself to the endometrium and remain securely in place. When a woman reaches her 30's and 40's, progesterone levels can drop below normal, causing her periods to occur more frequently. When the ovaries produce progesterone for only nine or ten days instead of the usual 14, women who normally had periods every 30 days may begin to menstruate every 25 days. Low levels of progesterone, as well as relatively high levels of estrogen, can also cause tissue buildup. This combination can lead to the formation of so much excess tissue that there is abnormally heavy flow during menstruation and spotting between periods. Severe progesterone deficiency can even stop the endometrial shedding process altogether, resulting in missed periods. Prolonged deficiency can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that can increase the risk of uterine cancer. In addition, a low progesterone/estrogen ratio can cause symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as anxiety, irritability, depression, headache, dizziness, and bloating. Finally, if a woman's ovaries do not produce enough progesterone to maintain pregnancy through the first trimester, when the placenta takes over the job of making progesterone, a miscarriage will occur. Progesterone treatment may also help infertile women. Those having trouble conceiving or who have had unexplained first trimester miscarriages are urged to discuss the possibility of progesterone deficiency with their physicians; according to the article, physicians often treat infertility with strong medications or surgery without first checking progesterone levels. Progesterone therapy has helped many women become pregnant and carry a child to term. Therefore, it should be considered as an alternative, before more drastic measures are taken. Intrinsic Biological Properties Progesterone has many beneficial actions throughout the body. The list below provides an indication of its diversity and importance. Since progesterone protects against the undesirable side effects of unopposed estrogen, whether occurring endogenously before menopause, or as a consequence of estrogen supplementation, these effects will be included in the list. Estrogen, it should be recalled allows influx of water and sodium into cells, thus affecting aldosterone production leading to water retention and hypertension. Estrogen causes intracellular hypoxia, opposes the action of the thyroid, promotes histamine release, promotes blood clotting, thus increasing the risk of stroke and embolism, thickens bile and promotes gall bladder disease, and causes copper retention and zinc loss. Estrogen, unopposed by progesterone, decreases libido, increases the likelihood of breast fibrocysts, uterine fibroids, uterine (endometrial) cancer and breast cancer. All of these undesirable effects of estrogen are countered by progesterone. Restoring proper progesterone levels is what is known as, restoring hormone balance.Functions of Progesterone Precursor of other sex hormones, i.e., estrogen and testosterone
|
