The past and present of progesterone: Unlocking its life code

Patients often hold test results and ask: Doctor, is my progesterone level low? Is my progesterone level insufficient?

How is progesterone produced? First of all, its raw material is the cholesterol in our blood. You heard it right, it is the cholesterol that we carefully control for fear of affecting our weight and health! So how does cholesterol become progesterone? There are three "workshops" in our body that synthesize progesterone. Let's learn about them together!

★The first is the ovary. The follicles in the ovary will form a corpus luteum after ovulation. The granulosa cells and enzymes in the corpus luteum work together to convert cholesterol into progesterone. The follicles before ovulation only produce a small amount of progesterone, so the level of progesterone during menstruation is relatively low.

★The second workshop for synthesizing progesterone is the placenta. The placenta starts to secrete progesterone around 9 weeks of pregnancy. The corpus luteum cells and the trophoblastic cells of the placenta begin to transfer between 8-12 weeks. So after the corpus luteum completes its mission, it begins to slowly shrink. The placenta will continue this work until the baby is born.

★The third workshop for synthesizing progesterone is the adrenal gland, but only a small amount of progesterone is produced here.

So what exactly does progesterone do?

There are four major functions:

1. Progesterone can promote the transformation of the endometrium, preparing fertile "soil" for embryo implantation; it can also promote embryo growth and development.

2. It protects the embryo. Progesterone closes the cervix to prevent foreign matter from entering the uterine cavity and interfering with embryo implantation.

3. Progesterone can inhibit uterine contractions, calm and relax the uterus, and maintain a stable environment for the development of the embryo

4. Promote the development of mammary gland alveoli and prepare for breastfeeding.

It turns out that the cholesterol that was feared in the previous life has become the guardian of life in this life.

Source: Chongqing Institute of Population and Family Planning Science and Technology

Author: Liao Huishu, Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Family Planning Research Institute

Review experts: Chen Liang, Xu Xiaoou

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