What are the reference values ​​for progesterone during pregnancy?

Every pregnant woman is particularly concerned about whether her progesterone level is normal. Because whether the progesterone level after pregnancy is normal is related to the health of the child and the health of the mother, so I want to fully understand the reference values ​​of progesterone during pregnancy. The following content introduces it in detail, so you can have a comprehensive understanding.

Large amounts of progesterone are produced, and its levels rise rapidly. It reaches its peak 6-8 days after the mid-term LH peak and gradually decreases to the follicular phase level 4 days before menstruation. During pregnancy, plasma progesterone levels increase steadily over time. In the first 6 weeks of pregnancy, it mainly comes from the corpus luteum of the ovary; in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, it is mainly secreted by the placenta.

Progesterone in plasma is metabolized by the liver and finally forms pregnanediol, 80% of which is excreted in urine and feces. The main function of progesterone is to further thicken the endometrium, proliferate blood vessels and glands, which is beneficial to embryo implantation; reduce maternal immune rejection; prevent uterine contractions, and keep the uterus in a static state before delivery; at the same time, progesterone also promotes the development of mammary alveolar ducts and prepares for lactation. Progesterone deficiency can cause early miscarriage.

Reference value

The reference values ​​of progesterone in normal women's menstrual cycle are as follows:

Follicular phase: early 0.7±0.1ng/ml; late 0.4±0.1ng/ml

Ovulation period: 1.6±0.2ng/ml

Luteal phase: early 11.6±1.5ng/ml; mid-term 22.5±1.5ng/ml; late 5.7±1.1ng/ml.

Clinical Application

1. Monitor ovulation: blood progesterone level >15.6nmol/L indicates ovulation. If the progesterone level is consistent with ovulation and the patient has infertility without other reasons, B-type ultrasound examination is required to observe the follicular development and ovulation process to exclude luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS). When using ovulation-inducing drugs, the blood progesterone level can be used to observe the ovulation-inducing effect. If multiple ovulation occurs and multiple corpora lutea are produced, the blood progesterone level may increase. Primary or secondary amenorrhea, anovulatory menstruation or anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, polycystic ovary syndrome, oral contraceptives or long-term use of GnRH agonists can all reduce progesterone levels.

2. Understand the function of the corpus luteum: The blood progesterone level during the luteal phase is lower than the physiological value, indicating luteal insufficiency; the blood progesterone level is still higher than the physiological level 4-5 days after menstruation, indicating incomplete luteal atrophy.

What are the reference values ​​for progesterone during pregnancy? The above content has made a detailed introduction. For many pregnant women, in order to ensure the health of their physical children and their own health, they must have a comprehensive understanding of the reference values ​​for progesterone during pregnancy introduced above. Only then can they ensure the normal progesterone in their bodies through comparison during their pregnancy.