Monday 19 March 2012

PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY & INFERTILITY

Apr 30, 2011 | By Suzanne Robin

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Female fertility depends on the interaction of several hormones, each of which must be produced in precise quantities at precise times in the menstrual cycle. Progesterone, one of the female hormones essential for pregnancy, is produced mainly in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone deficiency can make it hard for you to get pregnant by preventing implantation or by not producing enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy. Progesterone deficiency can also be a sign of an underlying fertility problem within the ovary.

DEFINITION
Progesterone is produced by the granulosa cells that line the corpus luteum, the leftover shell of the follicle that contained the ovulated egg. Progesterone stops the proliferation of endometrial cells, the cells that line the uterus, which occurs from estrogen stimulation, stabilizing the uterine lining so an embryo can implant. The progesterone levels change during the menstrual cycle; before ovulation, progesterone levels are usually less than 1 nanogram per milliliter. After ovulation, the progesterone level normally rises to 14 ng/mL or more.

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CAUSES
Abnormal follicular or egg development can result on an abnormal corpus luteum that doesn't produce enough progesterone. Progesterone levels may be low if the follicle didn't mature or grow properly. If the follicle is abnormal, the egg that developed inside it may also not have developed properly. If an egg is abnormal, pregnancy will not occur or, if it does, will not continue. If the egg you produced was normal but your corpus luteum isn't producing enough progesterone, the embryo won't be able to implant when it reaches your uterus because your lining won't be properly prepared for implantation.

PROGESTERONE SUPPLEMENTS
Your doctor may start progesterone supplements in the form of suppositories, pills or injections right after ovulation if your progesterone levels are low. Starting progesterone too soon could change the uterine lining prematurely, making it impossible for the embryo to implant at the right time. However, giving progesterone won't help with infertility if your problem is with egg development before ovulation. In this case, it's essential to determine the reason why you're not producing good follicles adequately and resolve that problem; adding progesterone in the luteal phase, the stage after ovulation, will not help.

OTHER TREATMENTS
Taking clomiphene citrate in the early menstrual phase, the follicular phase, may help increase your follicle size and increase the number of granulosa cells, which produce progesterone, Dr. Eric Daiter of the New Jersey Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine explains. Supplemental human chorionic gonadotropin given after ovulation may also help enhance your ovary's own progesterone production, Daiter reports.

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REFERENCES
INCIID: Luteal Phase
The New Jersey Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine;
Resolve; Implantation: The Challenge of Assessment and Treatment; Harvey J. Kliman, M.D.; April 2003
MedlinePlus; Serum Progesterone; Linda Vorvick, M.D.; April 2009

Article reviewed by M.J. Ingram Last updated on: Apr 30, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/431710-progesterone-deficiency-infertility/#ixzz1pOlLQFCw

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