The exact causes of ovarian cancer are unknown, but scientists are researching various contributing factors to the disease, including hormone levels. If you have ovarian cancer, do not try to alter your hormone levels. Talk with your oncologist about your concerns and what kinds of treatment can be used for your situation.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. It helps regulate your menstrual cycle, has a role in your libido and helps maintain a pregnancy. During pregnancy, the placenta makes progesterone, and levels of this hormone are elevated during gestation, says Healthy Women. Progesterone may also be responsible for premenstrual symptoms like mood swings and breast tenderness. Low progesterone levels can lead to missed periods and cause trouble maintaining a pregnancy. If you think you may have abnormal hormone levels, talk with your doctor to see if testing or treatment is necessary.
Ovarian Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 22,000 new diagnoses of ovarian cancer were made in the United States in 2010. The ovaries are female sex organs that produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, as well as eggs. When ovarian cancer develops, it is often caught at a later stage because its symptoms are so nonspecific, like bloating, pelvic pain, constipation and low back pain. There are three types of ovarian cancer: cancer originating from the cells on the outside of the ovaries, or epithelial tumors; cancer beginning in the egg-producing cells, called germ cell tumors; and cancer that starts in the hormone-producing cells, called stromal tumors, states MayoClinic.com. Treatment varies, depending on the type of ovarian cancer and the stage of disease.
Effects of Progesterone
While low progesterone levels may cause fertility troubles, it can actually be protective against ovarian cancer. According to a 2010 study by Nguyen and Syed in "Gynecological Endocrinology," progesterone showed a protective effect against both ovarian and endometrial cancers. It exhibits antioxidant properties and increases apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells. A 2011 study by Peluso in the journal "Steroids" explains that many types of ovarian cells express the receptor called progesterone receptor membrane component-1, or PGRMC1; this is also found in ovarian tumors. Rats with depleted PGRMC1 were found to have fewer ovarian cancer tumors than rats whose PGRMC1 was untouched. This receptor promotes ovarian tumor growth, although more research needs to be done to find out exactly how.
Warning
Do not try to alter your hormone levels yourself to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. More research needs to be done on the exact roles progesterone plays in development of the disease. If you have ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor about the possible relationship between your cancer and your hormone levels and whether anything can be done, treatment-wise, in this regard.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Ovarian Cancer Home Page
- MayoClinic.com; Ovarian Cancer: Causes; Mayo Clinic Staff; November 2010
- "Gynecologic Endocrinology"; Progesterone Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Through Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species; H Nguyen and V Syed
- "Steroids"; Progesterone Signaling Mediated Through Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 in Ovarian Cells with Special Emphasis on Ovarian Cancer; JJ Peluso; 2011
- Healthy Women; Progesterone; Dr. Steven Goldstein; September 2010
