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Role of Progesterone in Infertility Treatments
Progesterone plays an important role in infertility treatment. The hormone is vital to becoming pregnant and maintaining pregnancy.
What is progesterone?
Progesterone is a hormone manufactured and released by the corpus luteum (a structure formed by an ovarian follicle after its egg is released). The hormone is also produced in smaller quantities by the adrenal glands, ovaries and placenta during pregnancy.
Progesterone is released at ovulation to prepare the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, for pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the hormone level drops and another menstrual cycle begins.
If conception does take place, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone to supply the placenta and prevent pregnancy loss. Around 8-10 weeks, the placenta begins to produce its own progesterone in even greater amounts.
Progesterone & infertility treatments
Progesterone supplements are important during infertility treatment because the hormone is vitally important in maintaining early pregnancy.
Some women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage may benefit from progesterone supplementation. Other reasons progesterone is administered in the course of infertility treatment:
- To maintain an adequate progesterone level since certain drugs used in the IVF process can interfere with progesterone production in the ovaries
- Following egg retrieval, because some of the progesterone producing cells are removed during the retrieval process
- To help maintain pregnancy
- After intrauterine insemination (IUI) to promote pregnancy
There is no evidence that a woman can receive too much progesterone, since the hormone is not harmful to mother or baby, even in large amounts. For this reason, it is safer to give progesterone than to risk a low level.
Progesterone supplements
The hormone is available in creams, vaginal pills and intramuscular injections.
There are many factors that go into determining which route of administration is best. Your doctor will discuss the options, along with the pros and cons, and work with you to determine the best choice for you.
Contact your local URA clinic in Hasbrouck Heights, Hoboken, and Wayne, NJ for more information. Your friendly URA team will be happy to discuss progesterone and how it can benefit your family.
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