Progesterone is a hormone that plays an important role in your menstrual cycle. The rise and fall of progesterone in your body is associated with stimulating your menstrual cycle and is also associated with pregnancy. If your progesterone levels are imbalanced, you can experience adverse side effects, including heavy bleeding during your period. Knowing how progesterone affects your menstrual cycle can help you understand how and why your cycle occurs.
Progesterone and Your Menstrual Cycle
When you conclude a menstrual cycle--finish bleeding--your body's hormones stimulate the release of a mature egg from your ovarian follicle. As the egg travels to your uterus, the follicle stimulates the increase of progesterone and estrogen in your body. Estrogen helps thicken your uterine lining while progesterone levels increase, particularly in the second half of your menstrual cycle before menstrual bleeding is initiated. The increase in progesterone is associated with some premenstrual syndrome--PMS--symptoms, including bloating and mood swings.
Progesterone and Pregnancy
Progesterone is considered one of the most important hormones related to pregnancy, according to the website Healthy Women. This is because progesterone stimulates your uterine lining to secrete proteins that can "feed" an implanted egg. However, if you do not become pregnant during your menstrual cycle, your progesterone and estrogen levels will slowly decrease. This signals the beginning of your menstrual cycle because your endometrium--uterine lining--will begin to break down. However, if you do become pregnant, your progesterone levels will increase.
Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is a condition where you bleed for a week or longer or bleed excessively during your menstrual period. In some instances, menorrhagia can be a symptom of a hormonal imbalance related to progesterone. For example, if your ovaries are not functioning properly and progesterone is not produced, you may experience irregular bleeding because your endometrium lining will develop too thickly. If you experience symptoms associated with menorrhagia, talk to your physician about possible corrective measures.
Artificial Progesterone
Progesterone medications can be used to stimulate menstrual bleeding in women who have stopped menstruating while in their childbearing years. Progesterone also can be combined with estrogen for use in oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills. If you experience menorrhagia related to low progesterone levels, progesterone also may be prescribed to help your uterine lining develop normally.
