Progesterone

Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced mainly by the ovaries and placenta. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle, prepare the uterus for pregnancy, and support pregnancy.

Corpus luteum: A temporary ovarian structure formed from a follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone. It is the main ovarian source of progesterone after ovulation.
Steroid hormone: A hormone derived from cholesterol that can cross cell membranes and bind intracellular receptors. Progesterone belongs to this hormone family and shares its basic chemical framework.
Progestogen: A natural or synthetic substance that produces biological effects similar to progesterone. This broader drug and hormone class includes progesterone itself.
Implantation: The attachment and embedding of an early embryo in the uterine lining. Progesterone prepares the endometrium to receive and sustain an implanting embryo.
Endometrium: The inner lining of the uterus, which thickens and changes during the menstrual cycle. Progesterone converts this lining into a state that can support implantation.
Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from an ovarian follicle. It precedes the corpus luteum’s progesterone secretion.
Hormonal contraception: Methods that prevent pregnancy by using hormones to suppress ovulation or alter reproductive tissues. Many methods use progestogens to inhibit ovulation and make cervical mucus less permeable to sperm.
Pregnancy: The state in which an embryo or fetus develops in the uterus. Placental progesterone helps maintain conditions that support pregnancy.
Luteal phase: The part of the menstrual cycle after ovulation and before menstruation or pregnancy. Progesterone rises during this phase as the corpus luteum becomes active.
Menstrual cycle: A recurring set of hormonal and tissue changes that prepares the reproductive system for possible pregnancy. Progesterone’s levels and effects vary across this cycle.

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