Fertility, Pregnancy & Post Natal Depression

Because progesterone is the pro-gestational hormone, it is the primary necessary hormone for conception and full-term pregnancy. Interestingly, progesterone is given it’s name because of its vital supportive role in gestation (Latin: gestare), shedding some insight into its importance in the reproductive process. Modern science confirms that insight as of all female hormones progesterone is the one most essential to the
survival of the fertilized egg and the foetus throughout gestation.

At ovulation, progesterone levels rapidly rise from 2-3 mg per day to an average of 22- 25 mg per day. If fertilization does not occur in ten or twelve days, progesterone levels fall dramatically, triggering the shedding of the secretory endometrium (the menses). If pregnancy does occur, however, progesterone production by the corpus luteum increases dramatically until production is taken over by the placenta which secretes an ever increasing supply, reaching 300-400 mg/day during the 3rd trimester.

Natural Progesterone makes possible the survival of the fertilized egg, maintains the secretory endometrium which nourishes the ovum and resultant embryo. Progesterone surge at ovulation is the source of libido.

Because progesterone is essential to prevent the premature shedding of the supportive secretory endometrium, any drop in progesterone levels or blockade of progesterone receptor sites at this time will result in the loss of the embryo and early miscarriage.

Doctors have advised that supplementing with natural progesterone to week twelve of pregnancy is beneficial for the above reasons.

A major cause of Post-Natal Depression is the shut down of progesterone immediately after birth. It may be associated with loss of adrenal and thyroid function.