What causes low progesterone? How can pregnant women avoid low progesterone?

Low progesterone not only affects women's physical health, but also has a great impact on their fertility. So what causes low progesterone? How can pregnant women avoid low progesterone? Let's learn about it together and take preventive measures~

What causes low progesterone?

What is the reason for low progesterone? When many young mothers are preparing to become mothers, doctors will tell them that their progesterone is relatively low. Why is this so? The following are four points to explain:

1. If young women have suffered some injuries, such as threatened abortion, ectopic pregnancy, premature birth, amenorrhea, and infertility, these will directly lead to low progesterone levels.

2. Luteal insufficiency. If the corpus luteum is not fully functional and the corpus luteum of the ovary is not fully developed, the progesterone content will be reduced accordingly. Compared with normal and healthy women, the progesterone content will be relatively low.

3. Severe disorders of the adrenal and thyroid glands can cause certain pathological conditions and affect ovarian function, leading to hindrance and impact on conception, ovulation disorders, and a corresponding decrease in progesterone levels, which are relatively less.

4. The body develops insulin resistance.

Progesterone plays a big role for women and plays a vital role in women's healthy life. Fertility and embryo development are related to progesterone. Progesterone helps stimulate changes in the uterus during the reproductive process, has a certain stimulating effect on the uterus, and promotes embryo development by increasing blood flow to the reproductive system blood vessels and tissues, so that the baby can be safely protected in the mother's belly. After the egg is released from the ovary, it will adhere to the uterus and stick to the uterus. In theory, the egg combines with sperm to form an embryo, which is a normal physiological process. Progesterone is a hormone that can delay the shedding of the uterine membrane (embryo cultivation) and is a common estrogen secreted by the female body.

If progesterone levels drop significantly in the first few weeks of pregnancy, that is, if a woman's progesterone is reduced in this way, then it may lead to miscarriage.

However, for women who wish to delay pregnancy, high-dose progesterone injections can help prevent ovulation because the thick fluid it forms blocks sperm from reaching the uterus and fallopian tubes, affecting the general life of sperm.

How to avoid low progesterone in pregnant women

Women can also regulate their progesterone levels through diet, and consume foods rich in soy isoflavones and natural vitamin E. These ingredients in food can help women produce more progesterone.

Eating some fruits rich in pectin and dietary fiber can also help us supplement progesterone, such as kiwi, strawberry or grapefruit, which can help women supplement vitamin C and vitamin E in the body, and can make progesterone reach normal levels.

Taking progesterone-containing drugs to preserve the fetus when the pregnant woman's progesterone level is low is a good way. However, progesterone is not a panacea. It is only suitable for patients with miscarriage caused by progesterone deficiency. Progesterone cannot be used to preserve the fetus for miscarriage caused by adverse genetic factors, environmental factors, maternal diseases, etc., or fetal maldevelopment or abnormalities, or fetal death in utero.

Therefore, in this case, abortion is a protective reaction of the body to expel foreign bodies. If progesterone is used at this time, it will not only fail to improve the development of the embryo, but will inhibit the uterus, weaken the contraction function of the uterus, and thus reduce the ability of the uterus to expel foreign bodies. In addition, during the use of progesterone for pregnancy protection treatment, pregnant women must also have regular follow-up visits. Once the embryo or fetus is found to be dead, the pregnancy must be terminated immediately to avoid stillbirth syndrome and endanger the health or even life of the pregnant woman.

Will progesterone gradually increase?

1. In a normal women's menstrual cycle, the progesterone level in the blood is highest in the luteal phase and lowest in the follicular phase. Dynamic detection helps to determine the ovulation period, understand the function of the corpus luteum, and study the mechanism of action of various steroid contraceptives and anti-early pregnancy drugs.

2. In normal pregnancy, the progesterone level in the blood increases from the 11th week, reaches a peak at the 35th week, and can reach 80-320ug/L. In case of threatened abortion, the progesterone level is still high; if there is a downward trend, there is a possibility of miscarriage. In multiple pregnancies, progesterone increases.

3. Pathological increase of progesterone is seen in diabetic pregnant women, hydatidiform mole, ovarian granulosa cell tumor, ovarian lipoid tumor, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital 17a-hydroxylase deficiency, essential hypertension and other diseases.

4. Pathological decrease of progesterone is mainly seen in luteinizing disorder and dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, severe pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, pregnancy-induced placental dysfunction, fetal growth retardation and stillbirth. If progesterone is low during pregnancy, there is a possibility of miscarriage. It is recommended that you rest in bed, strengthen nutrition, observe closely, and receive pregnancy preservation treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Remember to take some progesterone-increasing medicine on time according to the doctor's instructions.

Precautions for pregnant women

In the first month, sperm and egg meet to create a fertilized egg, and major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys begin to form. During this period, women should pay special attention to stay away from high temperature environments, such as hot tubs and saunas, and try to avoid fever, otherwise it will easily increase the risk of neurological diseases in the baby.

In the second month, the embryo continues to grow and becomes a fetus. At this time, pregnant women should think twice about taking painkillers, because taking medicine increases the risk of congenital birth defects, especially heart defects, in their babies.

In the third month, the fetus has a throbbing heart and begins to grow rapidly. Many pregnant women will experience morning sickness in the first three months, which may be caused by bad eating habits. They should eat more grains and avoid tobacco, alcohol, greasy and high-sugar foods.

In the fourth month, the fetus can hear the mother's heartbeat and external sounds, so you can play soothing music for the baby. In addition, aerobic exercise in water can help relieve back pain in pregnant women.

In the fifth month, the fetus begins to move and grow hair. Pregnant women should increase their daily energy intake by about 300 calories. If you are worried about gaining too much weight, you can consult a doctor.

In the sixth month, the fetus's facial features are basically formed, and it can respond to external noises. At this time, the size of pregnant women's clothes will increase, and their breasts will become larger. Listen to soothing music more often, and you can also have moderate sex.

In the seventh month, the fetus can open its eyes for a short time and become more active. Excessive stress in pregnant women can affect the physical and mental development of the child, so try to relax. However, moderate stress is not harmful to the future development of the child.

In the eighth month, the fetus' brain is developing rapidly and most organs have matured. Pregnant women should avoid strenuous exercise.

The baby is about to be born in the ninth month, and the skin becomes pink and tender. For expectant mothers, the most important thing at this time is to be patient, because your mood will affect whether the delivery is early, so after more than 9 months of pregnancy, don't be impatient, but wait for the baby to come with peace of mind.