Progesterone is the female sex hormone responsible for preparing a women's uterus for a fertilized egg. It stops the endometrium from shedding its wall and allows the fetus to attach and develop. Many women have no side-effects from low levels of the hormone but other problems may be linked to lack of menstruation, depression and loss of libido.
Importance
According to Ovulation Calculator, the role of progesterone is to create a fertile environment in the womb and promote survival of a fertilized egg. It also helps to stop any problems during pregnancy with the uterus wall shedding leading to miscarriage. Therefore the hormone is important for women seeking to conceive or maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Symptoms of Low Progesterone
There are many symptoms that are seen when women experience low progesterone; however, some women may see none at all. Symptoms include irregular periods, bleeding, spotting and cessation of menstruation, or amenorrhea, all of which are obvious symptoms linked to low progesterone. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain and those linked to menopause such as mood swings, lack of libido and hot flushes.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you may have low progesterone levels it can be easily diagnosed with a progesterone level test. This test is most commonly a simple out-patient blood test taken at your local medical center. Although there are some factors that may affect the validity of the result such as time of menstrual cycle or birth control pills, therefore other hormone levels may be requested in the blood test.
Long-term Problems
If you are worried you have low progesterone levels it should not be ignored and medical advice should be sought. If a women has low levels for a prolonged period of time, it can have serious implications on fertility. It could also cause complications in the reproductive system should she become pregnant, such as an increased risk of miscarriage.
Treatment
According to Getting Pregnant, there are a range of ways to take progesterone. Most commonly it is taken orally and via an intramuscular injection for quick results. As with any medication, however, there are some possible side effects such as bloating, mood swings, sore breasts and headaches. Not all women will experience these and some will hardly notice. Still, it is important to seek medical advice before starting any treatment.
