Alisier Blog: May 2021

PROTECT PREGNANCY WITH PROGESTERONE (KEEPGEST)

Progesterone is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It can also be made in a laboratory.

"Progestin" is a general term for a substance that causes some or all of the biologic effects of progesterone. The term "progestin" is sometimes used to refer to the progesterone made in the laboratory that is in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. However, all progesterone and progestin products are made in the laboratory. The term "natural progesterone" is really a misnomer. "Natural progesterones," including the prescription products Crinone and Prometrium, are made from a chemical called diosgenin that is isolated from wild yam or soy. In the laboratory, diosgenin is converted to progesterone. The human body is not able to make progesterone from diosgenin, so eating wild yam or soy will not boost your progesterone levels.

What Does Progesterone Do?

Progesterone prepares the endometrium for the potential of pregnancy after ovulation. It triggers the lining to thicken to accept a fertilized egg. It also prohibits the muscle contractions in the uterus that would cause the body to reject an egg. While the body is producing high levels of progesterone, the body will not ovulate.

If the woman does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum breaks down, lowering the progesterone levels in the body. This change sparks menstruation. If the body does conceive, progesterone continues to stimulate the body to provide the blood vessels in the endometrium that will feed the growing fetus. The hormone also prepares the limit of the uterus further so it can accept the fertilized egg.

Once the placenta develops, it also begins to secrete progesterone, supporting the corpus luteum. This causes the levels to remain elevated throughout the pregnancy, so the body does not produce more eggs. It also helps prepare the breasts for milk production.

What happens if I have too much progesterone?

There are no known serious medical consequences of having too much progesterone. Levels of progesterone do increase naturally in pregnancy as mentioned above.

High levels of progesterone are associated with the condition congenital adrenal hyperplasia' data-content='1315' >congenital adrenal hyperplasia. However, the high progesterone levels are a consequence of and not a cause of this condition. Also, high levels of progesterone are associated with an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

Progesterone, either alone or in combination with oestrogen, is taken by women as an oral contraceptive ('the pill'). 'The pill' works by preventing ovulation, making it nearly 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Progesterone is used in hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of the menopause in women. There are many recognised pros and cons to hormone replacement therapy – see the article on menopause for more information.

What happens if I have too little progesterone?

If progesterone is absent or levels are too low, irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding can occur. A drop in progesterone during pregnancy can result in a miscarriage and early labour. Mothers at risk of giving birth too soon can be given a synthetic form of progesterone to delay the onset of labour.

Lack of progesterone in the bloodstream can mean the ovary has failed to release an egg at ovulation, as can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Progesterone (Natural Micronized) 200mg

KEEPGEST 200 (Natural Micronized Progesterone) is a progesterone (female hormone). It helps to establish and maintain pregnancy. It also prevents the increase in thickness of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) caused by estrogen.

Progesterone 300mg Sustained Released

KEEPGEST SR 300MG contains Progesterone which belongs to the group of medicine called progestins. It is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding characterized by heavy periods, irregular periods or bleeding between periods, after sex, or during menopause. It can also be used to treat benign mastopathies which are painful disorders of the breast and symptoms of pre-menopause (such as hot flushes, anxiety, depression or vaginal dryness).