For information about the topic "progesterone levels in pregnancy", please read the following paragraphs.
Progesterone is a female sex hormone which is developped in the ovaries of fertile women in the second half of the cycle. If no fertilization has taken place, the progesterone level sinks which leads to the reduction of the uterus membrane and the period. If the woman is pregnant, progesterone causes the mammary glands to produce milk. During pregnancy, progesterone is produced in the ovaries until the 4th month and in the placenta for the rest of the pregnancy.
The progesterone levels in pregnancy normally doubles or triples during the first several pregnancy weeks. Furthermore, progesterone is also produced every day during the pregnancy (in contrast to the normal cycle where it is only produced round about the point of the ovulation and during the following 14 days).
In order to protect the fetus, the progesterone level during the third trimester is about 10 to 15 times higher than the normal level.
In other words, the progesterone level during pregnancy can be up to 300 mg to 400 mg per day.
Another reason why the progesterone level is so much higher at the end of the pregnancy is the following: Endorphins and opioids that naturally occur in the body will be activated by the high progesterone level. This natural protection against painful mechanical load of the sexual organs is very helpful for the woman during labour and when giving birth.
At the beginning of the pregancy, progesterone sometimes is prescribed to stop slight bleedings from which some women suffer during the first three month. At the end of the pregnancy, progesterone is sometimes prescribed by the doctor in order to prevent the contractions to start too early.
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