On what day of the menstrual cycle is it recommended to take a progesterone test? Test for progesterone Is it possible to eat before taking progesterone?

Among female sex hormones, progesterone occupies a special place - it is actively involved in the processes of conception, implantation of the fertilized egg and pregnancy. That is why progesterone is also called the “pregnancy hormone”. Impaired progesterone formation leads to serious problems With women's health, which can be diagnosed by determining the level of progesterone in the blood.

How is progesterone formed?

It must be said that progesterone is not purely female hormone- This substance is also produced in the body of men. However, in the stronger sex, progesterone is formed in small quantities and does not play such a role important role in procreation, which progesterone demonstrates in women. In women, progesterone is mainly produced in the ovaries; the second source of the hormone is the adrenal glands, but the amount of hormone of adrenal origin is relatively small. In men, small amounts of progesterone are produced by the adrenal glands and the male gonads - the testes.

The main source of progesterone in non-pregnant women is the corpus luteum - a temporary formation that forms in the ovary every month at the site of the follicle in which ovulation occurred. In pregnant women, the source of progesterone is the corpus luteum (in the first weeks of pregnancy) and the placenta (after the 12-16th week of pregnancy).

What is progesterone responsible for?

The most important functions of progesterone in the female body include:

Preparation of the reproductive system (and above all, the uterus) for implantation of a fertilized egg, including changes in the structure and function of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) and a decrease in the contractile activity of the organ. In addition, progesterone enhances the formation of secretions in the cells of the mucosa fallopian tubes. This secretion serves as a nutrient medium for the egg and facilitates its movement into the uterine cavity. Similar changes associated with the action of progesterone normally occur in a woman’s body every month, in the second half menstrual cycle.
Stopping the menstrual cycle after pregnancy. This effect of progesterone prevents the implanted fertilized egg from being rejected along with the uterine lining during menstruation.
Hormonal support of pregnancy, providing normal height and fetal development, preventing miscarriage and premature birth.
Effect on the mammary glands, preparing the organ for milk secretion.

In addition to influencing reproductive system and mammary glands, progesterone is involved in the regulation blood pressure(increases it), stimulates the accumulation of fluid in tissues, increases the intensity of sebum formation and performs a number of other functions.

Blood progesterone levels in women

Since outside of pregnancy the corpus luteum is mainly responsible for the formation of progesterone, which is formed only in the second half of the menstrual cycle, the level of the hormone in the blood of a non-pregnant woman is not a constant value. The hormone concentration remains unchanged low levels in the first half of the cycle, shows a gradual increase during the ovulation period (approximately the 14th day of the cycle) and reaches its maximum in the middle of the second phase of the menstrual cycle (approximately 21-23 days of the cycle), after which it decreases again. This wave-like nature of changes in the level of progesterone in the blood explains why it is so important to donate blood for progesterone on certain days of the menstrual cycle.

If a woman becomes pregnant, then normally there is a significant increase in progesterone levels, which then persists for high values throughout the entire period of pregnancy and further increases at the end of pregnancy. A marked decrease in the level of progesterone in the blood of a pregnant woman may be a sign of a threatened miscarriage or premature birth, as well as the manifestation of placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth retardation and other variants of pregnancy pathology.

When to donate blood for progesterone

A referral for an analysis to determine the level of progesterone in the blood is issued when:

Examination of a woman with menstrual irregularities (delayed menstruation, uterine bleeding).
Examining a woman for infertility.
Examination of a woman with suspected ovarian disease.
Examinations if signs of a threatened miscarriage appear, as well as if the pregnancy is post-term.
Examination of a man with suspected testicular diseases.
Examination of a patient of any gender if certain diseases of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland are suspected.

How to donate blood for progesterone

Blood for this test is taken from the patient's vein, since the test is performed on the serum (liquid part) of blood, which is obtained from a finger required quantity impossible. Venous blood is usually taken from a vein in the arm (the vein is punctured at the level inner surface elbow).

How to donate blood for progesterone

In order to correctly donate blood for progesterone, a number of conditions must be met.

Day of blood test for progesterone. To obtain the most useful information, blood for progesterone testing in non-pregnant women should be taken during the period when the level of the hormone is highest, that is, on days 22-23 of the menstrual cycle (with a 28-day cycle). If a woman’s cycle length is more or less than 28 days, the day of the test is determined by the attending physician. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, the test may be performed several times during the cycle. There are no strict requirements for men and pregnant women regarding the timing of donating blood for progesterone - these categories of patients can donate blood for analysis on any day that suits them.
Time to take a blood test for progesterone. Blood for progesterone testing should be taken after an 8-12 hour fast. That is, ideally, the laboratory technician should take blood in the morning on an empty stomach. If blood is not taken morning time, before drawing blood, the patient must refrain from eating for 6 hours (drinking is not prohibited) and avoid eating fats for the entire day before donating blood. Violation of this rule will result in the serum containing large number fats that make it difficult to determine the level of progesterone in the blood.
Diet. Strictly speaking, no diet is required before donating blood for progesterone. The main thing is not to eat very fatty foods on the eve of the test and donate blood for analysis on an empty stomach. Drinking water before donating blood is not prohibited.

The norm of progesterone in the blood of women

When interpreting the results of a blood test for progesterone, it is necessary to take into account the gender, age of the patient, indications for the test, as well as the units of measurement and normal limits used by the laboratory. Only compliance with all these conditions allows you to get useful information from the result of a blood test for progesterone, therefore, a qualified doctor should decipher the test result.

Below are normal values progesterone levels in the blood of adult women and men, used by one of the largest laboratories in Ukraine. We emphasize once again that only the attending physician can use these values to interpret the test result. These figures are presented in this article for informational purposes only.

So, normal level progesterone in a man’s blood is 0.2-1.4 ng/ml. For women normal indicators vary within the following limits:

follicular phase (1st phase of the cycle) - 0.2-1.5 ng/ml;
ovulatory phase (ovulation) - 0.8-3.0 ng/ml;
luteal phase (2nd phase of the cycle) - 1.7-27.0 ng/ml;
postmenopause (a year or more after the last independent menstruation) - 0.1-0.8 ng/ml;
I trimester of pregnancy (up to the 12th week) - 11.2-90.0 ng/ml;
II trimester (13-26 weeks) - 25.6-89.4 ng/ml;
III trimester (27-40 weeks) - 48.4-422.5 ng/ml.

In a woman's body, progesterone is synthesized in certain glands, as well as in the tissues of the placenta. The main role of progesterone is to ensure pregnancy. It also performs regulatory control of the menstrual cycle. It is worth noting that this hormone is not exclusively “female”. In men, it is produced in the adrenal cortex and testicles, but to a much lesser extent than in girls and women. of different ages. In this article we will consider the significance of such a procedure as for progesterone, we will analyze the features and timing, as well as the possible consequences of a deficiency of this hormone in the female body.

What is progesterone and its role in a woman’s body?

Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and progestogenic sex hormone, a kind of “catalyst” for pregnancy. It is also considered a very effective medicine for irregular menstrual cycles. This substance performs a number of essential functions ensuring the possibility of conception and the proper course of pregnancy. This is why it is so important to donate blood for progesterone regularly and at exactly the right time, following all the necessary doctor’s instructions.

A blood test for progesterone is performed primarily from a vein. During laboratory analysis blood serum is isolated followed by an immunochemical study. If you donate blood for progesterone in a private laboratory, you will be able to get the first results within two hours after the start of the procedure. IN outpatient setting the patient waits several days for the results.

To indicate the importance of taking a blood test for progesterone, you need to decide possible consequences with a deficiency of this hormone. Progesterone - it is a steroid hormone that serves as an activator of various reactions occurring in the body. In case of deficiency, various pathological complications. If a hormone deficiency occurs before conception, then there is a high probability of impossibility of conception, due to the fact that the tone of the uterus is weak and the zygote is not able to attach to the endometrium. However, throughout pregnancy, lack of progesterone increases the risk of miscarriage.

What can excess progesterone lead to in a girl’s body? Experts identify several main consequences:

severe headaches;
vision problems;
acne-type skin rashes;
chronic fatigue, depression;
hormonal changes.

All these factors are due to the fact that with an excess of progesterone in the blood, the body works more intensively. It is also worth noting that young girls struggling with this problem often experience bleeding between menstrual cycles. From all this it follows that taking the test for, especially if in lately she began to observe unpleasant symptoms. Next, we will look at how to take a progesterone test depending on the characteristics of the cyclicity of menstruation (constant or irregular).

In what cases may a blood test for progesterone be needed?

Progesterone synthesis in the corpus luteum is directly regulated immune system through secretory hormones produced in the ovaries. The development phase can be divided into four time periods:

Proliferation period (a follicle with an egg inside is formed in the ovary, which opens during ovulation and the egg is released into the uterine cavity).
Vascularized period (the walls of the follicular vesicle are pierced by large bundles of capillaries, and intensive blood circulation begins in the corpus luteum).
The period of heyday (the gland grows greatly, accelerated synthesis of progesterone begins inside).
The period of extinction (if the egg has not turned into a zygote, the gland undergoes cellular degeneration with a gradual decrease in the level of progesterone in the circulatory system).

The main reason for testing progesterone levels is high probability hormonal imbalance. That is why doctors recommend donating blood for testing in the following cases:

if there is a need to establish exact date ovulation;
at systematic violation menstrual cycle, as well as in the case of amenorrhea;
if a threat of fetal loss or suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy has been identified;
with such serious illnesses as a tumor of the ovaries, adrenal glands, pituitary gland;
to confirm the effectiveness of use medicinal drugs, one of the components of which is progesterone.

Important: Men may also need a progesterone blood test. It gives up in case of sudden loss of potency, testicular or pituitary tumors pathological formations. Most experts recommend that both spouses undergo a test for the presence of progesterone in the blood. Timely detection of diseases varying degrees severity will avoid problems during pregnancy.

Features of the hormone during pregnancy

Hormone progesterone synthesized in the corpus luteum from the first to the thirteenth week of pregnancy. It is then that additional stimulation of the gland occurs with gonadotropin (produced in the chorion membranes, from where it enters the mother’s circulatory system). When the second trimester begins, synthesis continues in the placenta. During this period, progesterone forms the basis of a woman’s hormonal metabolism. It helps to absorb increased volume nutrients required for full development fetus

When observing the hormonal levels of pregnant women, it was found that progesterone has a strong effect on the mucous tissue of the uterus. In the first phase, the uterus is stimulated by estrogens produced by the follicular vesicle. Then, after ovulation, the membranes of the follicular vesicle are replaced by the corpus luteum and intense production of progesterone is observed. The secretion phase begins, which lasts fourteen days. Please note that if there is a delay of more than 2 days, the risk of pathology increases.

Progesterone also stimulates the secretion of the mammary glands (excessive exposure may cause thrush). The vessels inside the uterus take on the appearance of a spiral and increase in diameter. This is necessary for the formation circulatory system future child. In the endometrium, the stroma is filled with various nutrients and necessary fluid.

A subsequent decrease in progesterone in the blood can lead to arterial spasms in the uterine cavity (pain during menstruation) and a slower supply of nutrients to cells. Several factors can be identified positive influence of this hormone during pregnancy:

progesterone prepares a woman’s body for future childbirth;
accelerates tissue growth and helps in the formation of the child’s body;
the uterus enlarges and muscle tissue relaxes;
decreased sensitivity of the uterine tissue.

Important: The uterine ligaments relax under the influence of the hormone, which greatly simplifies the passage of the fetus and reduces the risk of possible ruptures and damage. During pregnancy, there is stimulation of the growth of the mammary glands and an increase in the internal volume of the alveoli, which is necessary for subsequent breastfeeding.

Blood test for progesterone: when and how to take it

Most women who take a reasonable approach to pregnancy planning are wondering when to donate blood for progesterone. Answering this question is not as simple as it seems at first glance, since the day of the test is determined depending on individual characteristics body, in particular from the menstrual cycle of the expectant mother. Anyway progesterone analysis- This is one of the most important diagnostic methods.

Young girls are often afraid of additional tests both before and during pregnancy. First of all, they are interested in what kind of progesterone to take, how to donate blood for research correctly and whether they need to prepare for the test. The last aspect is especially important. Before examination in mandatory You need to undergo a full examination by an endocrinologist. The doctor may prescribe additional tests to clarify the general hormonal background of the body.

As for the timing of blood donation for progesterone, it is worth remembering two important nuances:

With a regular menstrual cycle, the analysis is carried out on the twenty-third day.
If the cycle exceeds the one month mark, then the test date is shifted.
The level of progesterone in the blood is determined a week before the start of menstruation.

These simple rules will allow you to remember once and for all on what day to take progesterone, regardless of the length of your menstrual cycle. Before the test, consult your doctor. This examination does not require special training, the main thing to remember is that the fence venous blood carried out 3-4 hours after waking up (necessarily on an empty stomach). There is a certain list medicines, the components of which can significantly affect the test results. Donate progesterone when taking hormonal drugs not recommended.

Progesterone test for irregular menstrual cycles

An irregular menstrual cycle is usually understood as a situation where the time interval between two menstruation varies significantly in time (that is, in one month it can be twenty-five days, and in another twenty-three days). In this case, it will be very difficult to determine the exact date of the analysis. Most experts agree that the best option will do several analyzes and, based on the results obtained, derive an average.

On what day should a progesterone test be performed? irregular cycle You can look at the table, it provides exact data depending on the duration of the cycle of a non-pregnant girl:

Important: The so-called “basal” temperature is indicated in the blood. It is recommended to check it every morning after waking up with the same device. Keep a special diary and write down the results there for 2-3 weeks. Of course, it all depends individual indicators and characteristics of the girl’s body: type of nutrition, stress, physical activity. When consulting with an immunologist, it is necessary to describe your diet, daily rhythm and lifestyle as completely and accurately as possible.

Decoding the analysis results

After receiving the results of the study, the gynecologist deciphers the analysis data. It is worth remembering that the normal level of this hormone can vary greatly depending on the current phase of menstruation and the corresponding trimester of pregnancy. Below are normal values for non-pregnant women. It is worth noting that the hormone peaks in the luteal phase.

If you take a progesterone test during pregnancy, accepted norm The content of this hormone in the blood can increase tens of times. The table shows acceptable values depending on the trimester of pregnancy. As can be seen from the examples presented, as labor approaches, the percentage of progesterone in a woman’s body increases sharply.

Conclusion

Just to work female body And individual systems in particular, various hormones have a significant effect. They are the root cause of most female pathologies. Deviations may be indirectly indicated by bleeding or delayed menstruation. In such a situation, it is necessary to take a test for progesterone at the first opportunity and determine the concentration of this substance in the blood. If there is a deficiency or, conversely, an excess of progesterone, treatment will be prescribed in accordance with the individual parameters and characteristics of the body.

Videos on the topic

A blood test for progesterone is one of the necessary tests for women of fertile age.

Progesterone not only plays a significant role during pregnancy, but also affects other functions - prevents cystic fibrosis, participates in blood clotting and regulates sugar.

Taking a progesterone test means identifying and preventing many functional disorders body.

Reception hormonal contraception, gestation period and menopause influence the production of progesterone.

Blood progesterone concentrations vary depending on the phase of the ovulatory cycle - in each of them the reference value will be different.

The blood test should meet the following values in a woman who is not taking oral contraceptives and whose health is at an acceptable level:

Follicular phase: 0.32 - 2.25 nmol/l.
Ovulatory phase: 0.49 - 9.41 nmol/l.
Luteal phase: 6.95 - 56.53 nmol/l.

During gestation, progesterone depends on timing:

Trimester I: 8.9 - 468.5 nmol/l.
Trimester II: 71.5 - 303.2 nmol/l.
Trimester III: 88.7 - 771.5 nmol/l.

During the postmenopausal period, a blood test should not show an amount of progesterone greater than 0.64 nmol/l.

The menstrual cycle and progesterone

The duration of the ovulatory cycle depends on the interaction various hormones and their relationships.

Hormonal fluctuations occur monthly throughout the childbearing period. The standard cycle is 28 days.

However, its duration may vary and depends on age and health. Conventionally, the day of the beginning of a new cycle is the day of the beginning menstrual flow.

According to this reference point, progesterone in the body will behave as follows, by days of the cycle:

Days 1 - 5. The level of progesterone gradually increases, provoking the rejection and removal of an unfertilized egg and excess tissue from the uterine cavity.
Typically, with a 28-day cycle, their uterine discharge lasts no more than 5 days. Days 5 – 14– progesterone gradually reaches peak values.
Days 15 - 23. After ovulation and if pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels gradually begin to fall. The follicle, which has transformed into the corpus luteum, continues to produce progesterone.
Days 24-28. Degradation occurs corpus luteum and the volume of progesterone produced is reduced.

When to take progesterone, on what day of the cycle the treating gynecologist decides. Under the standard state of affairs, such an analysis is required on the following days during the second phase:

They are taken on the 22nd day of the cycle.
Donating blood for progesterone is allowed on the 20th day of the cycle (with a slightly shortened cycle).
It is considered ideal to take the test on the 21st day of the cycle with its standard duration.

The progesterone rate on the 21st day of the cycle cannot be lower than 3 nmol/l, however, it cannot exceed 66 nmol/l.

This interval is determined by individual characteristics.

Progesterone and irregular menstrual cycle

With an irregular cycle, in order to determine the day when to take progesterone, a woman needs to contact a gynecologist.

The gynecologist, based on the menstrual calendar, determines the most suitable day - the delivery date can fall on either the 22nd or 17th day.

For reference!

A calendar (diary) of menstruation is a measure of independent control of the duration of the ovulatory cycle, as well as the ability to timely detect deviations in duration from normal for a woman.

When the menstrual cycle is completely unstable, it is possible to determine the exact date of ovulation only in medical institution. In this case, the woman needs to undergo an ovulation test.

For greater accuracy, the test is performed a week after the end of menstrual flow. You may need to go through it several times (standard tactics are 7, 14 and 20 days).

Based on the dynamics of changes in hormonal ratios, a specialist can determine the most suitable day for a progesterone test.

Regardless of the duration of the cycle, progesterone is released only after ovulation, since then the indicators are greatest and this provides great opportunities for determining possible violations hormonal ratio in the body.

Testing for progesterone and its results

After defining the right day for analysis, the doctor consults the patient and explains what kind of preparation is required before a progesterone blood test.

Highlighted first standard rules necessary to obtain a reliable result:

7 days before the analysis you need to start gradually reduce physical activity intensity. 2 days before the test they need to be minimized.
Refuse from consuming alcoholic beverages 3 days before the exact date of taking a blood sample for hormones.
Sexual contacts should be discontinued 2 days before the exact date of the hormone test.
1 day before blood sampling, you should try minimize all possible stress factors and influences that can lead to emotional imbalance.
7 days before the exact date of analysis you should stop taking all hormonal and other medications. If it is impossible to cancel them, reduce the dosage and notify the specialist, providing him with a list of medications taken.
2 - 3 hours before collecting material for research, it is required refuse from smoking. Minimum term refusal before blood sampling – 1 hour.
Last meal possible 8 hours before analysis. However, the fasting period should not be longer than 14 hours. Some foods and dishes must be removed from the daily diet 2 or more days before the test.

Products, food additives, dishes and drinks that need to be removed from the diet for the time before taking a blood test for progesterone:

herbs and spices;
taurine-containing drinks;
caffeinated drinks;
fatty and fried foods;
smoked meats;
excessively salty foods;
confectionery and bakery products.

The above should be gradually eliminated over the course of a week, as this list products can stimulate the nervous system, and also lead to a slight shift in hormonal ratios under the influence of macro- and microelements.

Depending on the laboratory, the test result may vary. Typically, reference values are indicated in a specific column of the form. When there is no such mark, you need to clarify them with a laboratory specialist.

When the response received from the laboratory exceeds normal values, this may indicate the following pathological and other processes in the body:

corpus luteum cystosis;
renal pathologies;
dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
amenorrhea;
pregnancy;
placental pathologies.

Low concentrations of progesterone in the blood may indicate that ovulation does not occur, because this is not true. on a certain day cycle to determine the hormone level.

Progesterone during pregnancy

During pregnancy, increased concentrations of blood progesterone are accepted as a physiological norm.

However, when such values are determined in the blood without established fact conception or in 1 part of the cycle, then negative changes in the process of hormonal synthesis of the adrenal cortex or renal failure are suspected.

For reference!

Sometimes it is necessary to undergo progesterone several times, in each phase of the cycle, in order for the specialist to obtain the most complete information.

When a disrupted process of hormonal synthesis is identified, a specific drug therapy is developed, based on certain characteristics of the patient’s physiology, as well as current state– pregnancy, menopause.

In case of progesterone deficiency in pregnant women early stages There is no physiological “burst” of progesterone during pregnancy, which poses a direct threat of miscarriage.

For prevention development of the condition of abortion, the following drugs are used:

Utrozhestan;

Ingesta.

They stabilize hormonal background, being sources of “borrowed” progesterone.

However, decisions about the extent to which it is necessary to artificially increase hormone concentrations in the pregnant woman’s body can be made by exclusively the attending gynecologist who manages the pregnancy.

In addition to a gynecologist, a woman should consult an endocrinologist and get a second opinion.

If there are any deviations in the content of a biologically active compound in the blood, no matter whether it is during pregnancy or outside of conception, the independent use of medications that increase the level of the hormone is unacceptable.

However, it is possible to control and correct its content in the blood through the following actions:

Refusal from alcohol-containing drinks.

Stop consuming caffeine-containing products.

Refusal salon procedures perm and coloring of nails, hair, eyebrows.

Increasing sleep duration to 8-10 hours.

Quitting smoking.

Start doing physical exercises (cardio exercises) and breathing exercises.

Menu corrections.

To correct and stabilize progesterone levels in the blood, it is necessary to add foods with high content vit. E and S.

Vegetables and fruits must be seasonal - only seasonal products contain the necessary useful components in the required quantities.

Description

Determination method Solid-phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.

Material under study Blood serum

Home visit available

Progesterone is a steroid hormone of the corpus luteum of the ovaries, necessary for all stages of pregnancy.

Progesterone is produced in the ovaries and in small quantities in the adrenal cortex under the influence of luteotropic hormone (LH). In the first trimester of pregnancy, progesterone is formed in the mother's body; from the second trimester, the first stages of synthesis occur in the mother’s body, further stages are carried out by the placenta.

It prepares the endometrium of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg, and after its implantation helps maintain pregnancy: it suppresses the activity of the smooth muscles of the uterus, supports the central nervous system dominant pregnancy; stimulates the development of the terminal secretory sections of the mammary glands and the growth of the uterus, synthesis steroid hormones; has an immunosuppressive effect, suppressing the reaction of rejection of the fertilized egg. Stimulates sebum secretion.

Outside of pregnancy, progesterone secretion begins to increase in the preovulatory period, reaching a maximum in the middle of the luteal phase, returning to its original level at the end of the cycle. The content of progesterone in the blood of a pregnant woman increases, doubling by 7 - 8 weeks, and then gradually increasing until 37 - 38 weeks.

Limits of detection: 0.32 nmol/l-1908 nmol/l

Preparation

Strictly on an empty stomach after an overnight period of fasting from 8 to 14 hours.

On the eve of the study, it is necessary to exclude increased psycho-emotional and physical stress ( sports training), drinking alcohol, smoking an hour before the test.

For women with an intact menstrual cycle, the study is performed on days 22-23 of the menstrual cycle, unless other conditions are specified by the attending physician.

Indications for use

Identification of the causes of menstrual irregularities, including differential diagnosis various types amenorrhea.
Identifying the causes of infertility.
Identification of the causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Assessment of the condition of the placenta in the second half of pregnancy.
Differential diagnosis true post-term pregnancy.

Interpretation of results

Interpretation of research results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Accurate diagnosis the doctor puts it using the results this survey, so necessary information from other sources: medical history, results of other examinations, etc.

Units of measurement in the INVITRO Independent Laboratory: nmol/l.

Alternative units: ng/ml.

Conversion of units: ng/ml x 3.18 ==> nmol/l.

Reference values

Age, gender			Progesterone level, nmol/l
Boys
Boys 9 - 18 years old
Puberty, Tanner stages:
1, 2, 3 stages
Stage 4
Stage 5			0,7 - 2,6
Men > 18 years old			0,3 - 2,2
Girls
Girls 9 - 18 years old
Puberty, Tanner stages:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3			0,3 - 14,4
Stage 4			0,3 - 41,6
Stage 5			0,3 - 30,4
Women > 18 years old	After puberty and before postmenopause	Follicular phase	0,3 - 2,2
		Ovulatory phase (mid cycle)	0,5 - 9,4
		Luteal phase	7,0 - 56,6
		Postmenopause
	Pregnant	I trimester	8,9 - 468,4
		II trimester	71,5 - 303,1
		III trimester	88,7 - 771,5

Hormones in human body are the main regulators of all biochemical processes. In women, estrogen and progesterone are combined. They determine the cyclical changes in the genital organs, manage conception and help maintain pregnancy.

Available about biochemistry

Progesterone is a steroid hormone that is present in the body of both sexes. But men contain a small amount in constant concentration. In women, its amount varies depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and period of life.

The basis of gestagens, like other steroids, is cholesterol. This substance undergoes a series of biochemical reactions, with the gradual formation of the final active substance. Synthesis occurs in the corpus luteum of the ovaries after ovulation, and in small quantities in the adrenal glands. In pregnant women, the hormone is formed in the placenta.

It has been established that the full cycle of kinin production cannot occur in the placenta. This requires the feto-placental system, which includes the fetus. Cholesterol from the maternal body enters the placenta and the intermediate substances pergnenolone and progesterone are formed, which are then transferred to the fetus and complete synthesis.

Not all progesterone is in an active state, most of it binds to transport proteins and albumin, only 2% is present in free form. Excretion occurs with the participation of the liver, where kinin is conjugated with glucuronic acid and excreted through the kidneys.

What effects does it cause in the body?

It has long been established what progesterone is responsible for in women. It is called the pregnancy hormone. From normal concentration depends on the preparation of the endometrium to receive a fertilized egg.

Ovulation is necessary for the successful formation of the corpus luteum. It depends on the concentration, as well as pituitary hormones. Follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones determine the maturation of the follicle. The growing follicle itself produces estrogens, which support its existence and prepare the endometrium, increasing the sensitivity of the epithelial membrane to progesterone.

After ovulation, the corpus luteum intensively produces progesterone. It turns the endometrium into the decidua, which is necessary for embryo implantation. The hormone affects basal temperature, increasing it by 0.2-0.5 degrees from the moment of ovulation until the end of the cycle.

The functions of the hormone are to maintain pregnancy:

promotes the proliferation of blood vessels in the decidua;
blocks contractile activity uterus;
strengthens muscle tissue cervix, which prevents the development of abortion;
blocks local immune reactions to prevent rejection of a fertilized cell.

Throughout pregnancy, a high concentration of active substances ensures its preservation. Sharp decline kinin levels occur before birth. This is considered a trigger for the onset of labor.

The effect of the hormone extends to the mammary glands. Active kinin stimulates the development of alveoli and lobules, in which milk will subsequently be formed.

The amount of the hormone decreases during menopause, and relative hyperestrogenism occurs. This condition is a predisposing factor to the development of endometrial hyperplastic processes.

Normal indicators at different periods of life

Hormone indicators are in dynamic equilibrium; different values are presented for each age interval. Norm of progesterone in women reproductive age is presented below:

1st phase of the cycle - up to 3.6 nmol/l;
days of ovulation - 1.52-5.4 nmol/l;
luteal phase - 3.01-88.8 nmol/l;
postmenopause - up to 0.64 nmol/l.

The norm in the luteal phase serves as the starting point for determining its amount in pregnant women. The embryo produces hCG, which is necessary to maintain the functioning of the corpus luteum. Therefore, the concentration of gestagen remains at the same level and gradually increases.

By the 16th week of pregnancy, the placenta is formed, which takes over hormonal function. The concentration of the hormone gradually increases even more.

Normal indicators for trimesters of gestation are as follows:

first trimester – 468.5 nmol/l;
second trimester - 71.0-303.2 nmol/l;
third trimester - up to 771 nmol/l.

Progesterone levels will inevitably decrease during menopause. This is explained by frequent menstruation without ovulation, when the egg does not mature and the corpus luteum does not form. Menopause is the period of complete cessation of menstruation. The norm for menopause is defined as 0.64 nmol/l. Simultaneously with progesterone at this age, the amount of estrogen decreases, which leads to changes in blood vessels, the appearance excess weight, calcium loss and deterioration of skin, hair and nails.

Women of menopausal age are prescribed replacement hormonal treatment estrogens and progesterone. This combination is necessary to eliminate negative action estrogen on the endometrium: if monotherapy is used, the likelihood of developing endometrial hyperplasia or cancer increases many times over. Progesterone compensates for the proliferative effect of estrogens and improves general condition hormonal background.

When does deviation from the norm occur?

Deviations from the normal concentration can be either larger or smaller.

Associated with the following conditions:

luteal phase deficiency;
endocrine pathologies: hypothyroidism, hyperandrogenism, hyperprolactinemia;
strict diets and lack of nutrition;
constant stress;
diseases of the genital organs: fibroids, endometriosis.

Symptoms of progesterone deficiency appear depending on its amount. For a woman a common symptom is premenstrual syndrome. Its severity varies, from minor discomfort to severe manifestations.

Many consider the signs to be a physiological norm; they wait for this period to attribute mood swings and anger to a hormonal storm. But with rhythmic work endocrine organs, the concentration of hormones is maintained at a sufficient level and is not manifested by a deterioration in the woman’s condition.

With a pronounced decrease in gestagens, conception becomes difficult. This is most often observed with luteal phase deficiency. The corpus luteum may not form and quickly regress. A variant of its deficiency are follicular cysts, which form in polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition leads to the impossibility of pregnancy.

Implantation of the embryo must occur in the prepared endometrium, which is influenced by progesterone. If a woman has low hormone fertilization occurs, the embryo simply will not be able to attach to the wall of the uterus or will be rejected by it, because progesterone should suppress the contractile activity of the myometrium. Habitual ones, in which interruption occurs in a short period of time, are often accompanied by its insufficiency.

Also signs of deficiency are irregular menstrual cycles and acyclic uterine bleeding. A relative deficiency, in which the concentration of estrogen is maintained at the required level, leads to the development of proliferative pathologies of the uterus associated with hyperestrogenism - fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia.

Significantly less common than a deficiency, maybe increased progesterone. The cause of this condition may be ovarian tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, or pathology of the adrenal glands. Corpus luteum cyst and formations in the ovaries lead to overproduction of the hormone. In liver cirrhosis, there is no increased synthesis of kinin; the increase in the hormone is associated with a violation of its conjugation with proteins and metabolism.

Excess manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

gaining excess weight;
swelling;
the appearance of pimples and acne that cannot be treated;
increased body hair growth;
depression or frequent change mood;
surges in blood pressure.

Often, hormonal imbalance affects not one hormone, but several. Therefore, the symptoms can be varied, with the addition of signs of the underlying pathology.

Carrying out analysis

A blood test for hormones is carried out according to the woman’s indications. Most conditions accompanied by deviations from the norm can be medicinal correction. But before prescribing hormonal drugs, it is necessary to find out the initial hormonal background. Doctors rarely use an isolated determination of progesterone alone; most often, a hormonal profile is needed to determine the causes of the malfunction, establish the period of the menstrual cycle and the general picture of disorders in the body.

When and how to take a blood test for progesterone depends on the woman’s age and condition. IN reproductive period Fluctuations in hormones determine which day of the cycle to donate blood. It is known that the maximum concentration is reached by 20-23 days, so tests are also recommended to be performed at this time. A regular menstrual cycle of 28 days is taken into account. With elongated or more short cycle Your doctor will help determine the day of delivery. To do this you need to know the first day last menstrual period and the expected start of the next one. 7 days are subtracted from the last digit; the examination can be carried out on the resulting day.

If a woman has irregular periods, occurring for several months, then the test can be carried out on any convenient day, and then repeated after a while. In this case, a full range of hormones is needed:

estriol;
prolactin;
testosterone;
cortisol;

Such a wide hormonal profile will allow one to assume the level of disturbances and the ratio of all active substances affecting reproductive health. Indirectly, analysis can be used to judge the period of the monthly cycle.

In pregnant women, the concentration of the active substance normally constantly increases. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the duration of the study; in some cases, repeated analysis may be required.

During the test, a progesterone test is also carried out regardless of the day. Normally, the amount of the hormone should remain at the same level.

Preparing for analysis

Hormone studies do not require specific preparation. Enough to stick general rules recommended for donating venous blood.

The quality of biological material is affected by nutrition. Fatty foods can cause chylosis - increased amount fat particles, they will not allow you to perform a quality analysis. Therefore, one day before the diagnosis, you should refuse rich in fats food, do not drink alcohol.

The test is taken on an empty stomach, so the last meal should be no later than 19 pm. In the morning you cannot eat anything, you are allowed to drink clean water, but in no case tea or coffee. Smoking is prohibited on this day.

Stress and physical activity, fatigue affect a woman’s hormonal levels. A week before the study, you need to normalize your emotional state, avoid overwork and heavy physical exertion.

Ways to normalize hormonal levels

After necessary diagnostics the doctor prescribes tactics to normalize the background. Treatment should always begin with changes in lifestyle and nutrition. You should pay attention to the daily routine, the number of hours for sleep and the time when a woman prefers to fall asleep.

The nature of nutrition also affects hormonal levels. It is impossible to say which foods contain progesterone. You can increase its content in the blood indirectly by consuming enough animal protein and fats, chicken eggs. They contain essential amino acids, cholesterol, which are the basis for the synthesis of steroid hormones. At increased concentration On the contrary, you need to reduce the amount of such food in the menu.

Our previous articles will tell you more about how or the level of progesterone in the body without health consequences.

The next step is drug therapy. For normalization, micronized progesterone or its oil solutions. Tablet analogues are Duphaston, Utrozhestan. The dosage regimen depends on the purpose of use of the drugs.

They are used for the following conditions:

threat of premature termination of pregnancy;
incipient miscarriage;
cycle changes: amenorrhea, oligodysmenorrhea;
sex hormone replacement therapy.

Utrozhestan is available in the form of capsules for oral administration and insertion into the vagina. This method of administration makes it possible to create local high concentration active substance, bypassing metabolism in the liver.