Progesterone | Laboratory research

Progesterone Is a steroid hormone produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta during pregnancy. In the ovaries, its synthesis is stimulated by LH, during pregnancy - by hCG, which first stimulates the production of progesterone in the corpus luteum, and then the synthesis is transferred to the placenta. Progesterone concentration is closely related to corpus luteum development and regression. Only a minimal amount can be detected in the follicular phase. An increase in progesterone is observed the day before ovulation and continues throughout the luteal phase. Determining progesterone levels is the best test to confirm ovulation. During pregnancy, a gradual increase in progesterone levels is observed from 9 to 32 weeks, and often 100 times more than before pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations are higher in cases of multiple pregnancies. Progesterone transforms the uterine mucosa into gland-rich tissue (secretory phase), which facilitates the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.

During pregnancy, progesterone not only inhibits the contraction of the myometrium, but also reduces the sensitivity to physiological stimuli of contraction, in the mammary glands (in combination with estradiol) progesterone stimulates the final formation of the secretory part of the alveoli.

When to take a test for progesterone?

In women: Detection of ovulation and monitoring of luteal phase, corpus luteum formation and function, corpus luteum functional status in infertile patients, determination of placental function during pregnancy, ovarian function testing, ovarian tumors, ovarian cysts, impending abortion, fetal death.

Serum testing for progesterone and beta-HCG can differentiate between normal uterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy.

How to prepare for the test?

The material is taken in the first half of the day, in a calm state. Fatty foods should be excluded one day before the examination. Determination of progesterone levels in women is preferably performed On the 21st-23rd day of the menstrual cycle. When taking the test, the patient should indicate the date of the last menstrual period and the trimester of pregnancy.

Possible interpretation of the results

It is necessary to avoid several different methods and compare the results obtained at different stages of the menstrual cycle, as they can vary significantly.

Level increase:

• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding with prolongation of the luteal phase;
• Some types of secondary amenorrhea;
• Dysfunction of the fetoplacental complex;
• Delayed maturation of the placenta;
• Decreased progesterone excretion in renal failure.

Level decrease:

• Chronic inflammation of the internal genitals;
• Follicle persistence (hyperestrogenia);
• Anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (decreased progesterone secretion in phase 2 of the menstrual cycle);
• Various forms of primary and secondary amenorrhea;
• The risk of termination of pregnancy of endocrine genesis;
• Placental insufficiency;
• Inhibition of intrauterine development of the fetus.
• At 42 weeks of gestation (prolonged pregnancy).