Progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone that is also known as lutein. This compound is the most important female hormone, whose concentration is constantly changing, but both its deficiency and excess is harmful to health.

Progesterone plays a significant role in a woman's body because it enables the implantation of the embryo and the maintenance of pregnancy. In medicine, lutein is used preventively in case of high risk of miscarriage, yellow body failure and pregnancy poisoning. Approximately 96-99% of progesterone occurs in a form associated with plasma proteins. Hormone metabolism takes place mainly in the liver, kidneys and in trace amounts also in muscles. Progesterone administered orally has a relatively low bioavailability. Interestingly, low levels of progesteronemia after oral administration of progesterone in a crystalline form are associated with relatively high serum levels of 5-alpha steroid reduction products.

The influence of prolactin on the functioning of the sexual system

Progesterone in a woman's body is responsible for a number of key actions that allow for proper implantation of the embryo and its further development. Progesterone can act as an inhibitor and activator of transcription. Thanks to this, it facilitates ovulation, inhibits excessive growth of endometrium, provides cyclic changes in the epithelium, and so on. Metabolic activities of progesterone are focused on elevated body temperature, stimulation of breathing, normalization of blood glucose level and all antiandrogenic activities, which consist in inhibition of 5alpha reductase activity, transforming testosterone into dihydrotesterone.

Progesterone supplementation - for whom?

The indication for progesterone supplementation is the deficiency of endogenous progesterone in the form of disorders during menstrual cycle, painful menstruation and premenstrual tension syndrome. It is also used in the treatment of endometriosis, in in vitro fertilisation programmes and in the treatment of infertility associated with luteal failure. Low hormone levels can be caused by excess estrogen in women. The dosage of progesterone should be determined for the individual patient.

Contraindication for the use of lutein is hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any auxiliary substance, as well as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, cancer, thromboembolic disorders, severe thrombotic vein inflammation, disorders and liver diseases.