PROGESTERONE, IMMUNOASSAY

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and a female sex hormone that is involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It’s produced mainly in the ovaries following ovulation each month. 

Progesterone is a steroid hormone belonging to a class of hormones called progestogens.Fertility and menstruation are largely controlled by hormones, and one of these hormones is progesterone.

Synthetic steroid hormones with progesterone-like properties are called progestins. Progestin is often combined with estrogen, another hormone, to develop contraceptives such as birth control pills and skin patches.

Progesterone is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause (the change of life) and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy usually includes estrogen, which is used to treat symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of developing certain diseases.

Treatment options for progesterone supplementation include creams and gels, suppositories, which are commonly used to treat low progesterone that causes fertility problems or oral medications, like Provera. The test is useful for monitoring patients having ovulation induction with hCG, hMG, FSH/LHRH, or clomiphene.