Signs & Symptoms of Progesterone Early Pregnancy

Hormone levels during pregnancy play a critical role in the growth and development of the fetus. Progesterone is a hormone that is produced to help thicken the uterine lining in preparation for the implantation of a fertilized egg. It is important for women to recognize the signs of a progesterone deficiency and seek medical treatment in order to have a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Function

Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries that is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy and for maintaining a pregnancy once conception has occurred. It is the most important hormone in early pregnancy since it promotes the growth of blood vessels while also keeping the uterus from contracting. Without an adequate amount of progesterone at the time of conception, miscarriage can occur.

Size

During ovulation, progesterone levels rise rapidly in preparation for the fertilized egg to be implanted into the uterine wall. Once conception has occurred, they can range from 9 to 47 ng/ml in the first trimester, with an average of 12 to 20 ng/ml in the first five to six weeks of pregnancy. Normal progesterone levels range from 17 to 146 ng/ml in the second trimester and 49 to 300 ng/ml in the third trimester. Progesterone levels continue to rise approximately 1 to 3 ng/ml every few days until the peak is reached for the specified trimester.

Identification

While physical signs or symptoms of progesterone during pregnancy are nearly undetectable to a woman, one may notice a rise in body temperature as progesterone is produced before ovulation and after conception. A health care professional can measure progesterone levels by a blood test called a progesterone test. This test is commonly performed on women who have struggled with infertility or previous miscarriages in order to detect if the progesterone level has increased as it should after conception.

Warning

Women who are trying to conceive or who have conceived and notice spotting which is accompanied by cramping, lower back pain, and extreme breast tenderness may have low levels of progesterone. These may be signs of impending miscarriage due to low progesterone production in the body and a health care professional should be contacted immediately. It is important to note that symptoms associated with miscarriage can be similar to those of an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the womb) which can potentially be life-threatening.

Prevention/Solution

If a progesterone deficiency has been diagnosed by a health care professional, vaginal suppositories may be prescribed for use one to two times per day near the time of ovulation and continuing for up to 11 weeks after ovulation has occurred. Other forms of progesterone supplements that may be recommended by a doctor are hormone injections, oral supplements or topical creams. Each form of supplement has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages and the risks should be discussed thoroughly before treatment begins.

References

• American Pregnancy Association
• Steady Health
• Healthy Women