Progesterone Deficiency Symptoms

Progesterone is among the primary female hormones. This critical hormone is responsible for stimulating and controlling many metabolic and hormonal activities among females. Thus, Progesterone deficiency is regarded as a serious medical condition. Progesterone is produced mainly during the first phase of a female's menstrual cycle. This hormone is synthesized for most part of a female's lifecycle. Progesterone is produced by cells located within the ovaries. These cells are called granulosa. The granulosa surround the small follicles that eventually release the female eggs or ovum. During and after the process of ovulation, the Corpus Luteum stimulates the synthesis of copious amounts of progesterone among the granulosa cells.


Why is Progesterone Deficiency a Serious Threat?


Progesterone deficiency can seriously impact the reproductive health of a female. This is because Progesterone is responsible for inducing the necessary changes in the endometrial layers of the uterus. Progesterone induces a series of contractions within the endometrium. This is necessary for the movement of the fertilized female egg. The proper movement of the egg and its proper impaction upon the uterine wall together form the process of implantation. The implantation of a fertilized egg is the first step in the development of the embryo and hence, the success or failure of pregnancy.


Progesterone is also responsible for stimulating the growth of blood vessels that eventually form a part of the blood and nutrition supply to the endometrium. Progesterone is also vital for the gradual expansion of small glands within the endometrium. This helps in the formation of a fluid, called the uterine fluid, which plays a critical role in the survival of the embryo. Progesterone is responsible for the functioning of the placenta, including its ability to fight infections. It also stops sudden contractions or movements in the uterus. Progesterone is also responsible for the development of breast tissue among lactating mothers. Thus, it plays a role before, during and after birth, i.e. the entire period of conceiving a child and post-natal care. In fact, progesterone is known to have a role in healing of the cervix after childbirth, i.e. preventing infections arising from rupture of tissues


Short-term Dip in Progesterone Levels is Not Progesterone Deficiency It should be noted that progesterone deficiency can be short-lived or extended. The interim stoppage of progesterone formation is normal since this is a part of the hormonal regulation that happens among most females. Further, there are periods of short-term progesterone deficiency that don't call for medical treatment. For instance, 10 days after ovulation, progesterone levels sometimes dip seriously. This sudden reduction of progesterone can induce symptoms like abdominal cramping. It might also disturb the menstruation cycle but still, it does not qualify as a typical case of progesterone deficiency which is a serious deterrent to a female's chances of conceiving.


Progesterone Deficiency: Typical Symptoms & Usual Cures


Among women wherein infertility is linked to progesterone deficiency, hormonal supplementation is often recommended. This is essentially a steroidal form of progesterone that can control ovulatory dysfunction to some extent. The more serious forms of progesterone deficiency can cause repeated miscarriages. Progesterone deficiency can also lead to ovarian cysts and abnormally high water retention in the abdomen, making the patient bloated.