What you need to know about progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone that plays a significant role in female reproductive health. Its involvement in fertility, the menstrual cycle and menopause makes it one of the most important hormones in female fertility and pregnancy.

Let us discuss what it is, what it does, the potential side effects of progesterone supplements during pregnancy, and examine recent research challenging the efficacy of these supplements in preventing miscarriage. 

1.1. Progesterone and Pregnancy: Side Effects to Consider

Progesterone plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy, but like any other hormone, its supplementation can also have side effects.

One of the most such during pregnancy is nausea .

This is because progesterone relaxes the muscles in the uterus, which can slow down the process of digestion, leading to feelings of nausea.

Additionally, progesterone can also cause headaches .

This is due to the fact that progesterone can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to headaches.

Another side effect of progesterone is sleepiness .

This is because progesterone has a sedative effect, which can make you feel tired or sleepy.

These side effects are generally mild and manageable, but if they become severe, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider. 

2. A Deeper Look Into Progesterone: The Pregnancy Hormone

Progesterone is an essential hormone in achieving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

During the first 10 weeks of pregnancy , progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure involved in ovulation and early pregnancy.

However, between 8 and 12 weeks , the placenta takes over this role and continues to produce progesterone, maintaining the pregnancy thereafter.

Progesterone is responsible for preparing the uterus for the implantation of a fertilised egg  and for maintaining the uterine lining  throughout pregnancy.

Low levels of progesterone during pregnancy can lead to spotting and even miscarriage.

Furthermore, progesterone deficiency may be linked to recurrent miscarriage (RM), a condition where a woman experiences the loss of three or more pregnancies. 

2.2. Progesterone Supplements And Preventing Miscarriage

While progesterone has been traditionally prescribed to prevent miscarriage, especially in women with a history of recurrent miscarriages, recent research has begun to challenge this practice.

A comprehensive study conducted by Harvard Health  compared progesterone supplements with placebo pills, a method considered the "gold standard" in research studies.

The results indicated that progesterone supplements did not significantly improve pregnancy outcomes.

This finding contradicts previous studies that suggested progesterone could reduce miscarriage rates , particularly in women who had experienced previous miscarriages.

Therefore, the effectiveness of progesterone supplements in preventing miscarriage remains a topic of ongoing debate in the medical community.