Progestan: What Is It And Why Is It Used During Pregnancy?

Progestan is the general name for synthetic progesterone hormone supplements. Progestants, which are generally preferred in the treatment of progesterone hormone deficiency or infertility, can also be used in pregnant women who have had one or more miscarriages before. These supplements, which are available in the market in the form of pills, suppositories, injections and ampoules, must be used under the supervision of a doctor. Otherwise, serious side effects may be encountered depending on the use of progestan. So, what are the side effects of progesterone? Does the use of progesterone during pregnancy harm the baby? In this article we have prepared for you, we have compiled the questions about the use of progestan.

What is Progestan?

Progesterone is one of the most important hormones that prepare women for pregnancy. In every healthy and reproductive age woman, the hormone progesterone is secreted by the ovaries during the ovulation period. This hormone, also known as the female hormone, undertakes the task of thickening the uterine wall so that the fertilized egg (embryo) can attach to the uterus. If fertilization does not occur at the appropriate time, the release of progesterone also decreases and the uterine wall prepared for the baby is destroyed and excreted from the body, in other words, menstrual bleeding occurs. However, the hormone progesterone prevents uterine contractions during pregnancy and reduces the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. As it can be understood from here, progesterone hormone is very important for pregnancy to occur and continue in a healthy way. In the case of a deficiency of the hormone progesterone, either pregnancy does not occur or even if fertilization occurs in a healthy way, the pregnancy cannot be maintained in a healthy way because the uterine wall cannot thicken enough. For this reason, synthetic progesterone hormone supplements called progestan are applied. Progestan supplements are offered as an oral, injection, or vaginal suppository. These drugs should not be used without the supervision of a doctor. Because in some special cases, the use of progestan can cause very serious problems. It is offered as an injection or a vaginal suppository. These drugs should not be used without the supervision of a doctor. Because in some special cases, the use of progestan can cause very serious problems. It is offered as an injection or a vaginal suppository. These drugs should not be used without the supervision of a doctor. Because in some special cases, the use of progestan can cause very serious problems.

In Which Situations Is Progestan Use Necessary?

Progestan use is generally preferred for those with low progesterone and those undergoing infertility treatment. To elaborate; Progestan therapy can be started for those who cannot get pregnant due to a lack of progesterone hormone, those with menstrual irregularity and ovulation problems, those with polycysticovarian syndrome, women who have had one or more miscarriages in their previous pregnancies, and those who have a risk of premature birth or miscarriage. However, these drugs should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Although in artificial form, progestants act like hormones in the body and trigger hormone production. Therefore, they can cause serious side effects in uncontrolled use. It may be inconvenient to use in people with some special health problems. E.g; those with liver disease, those with breast cancer,

What Are the Side Effects of Progestan?

Like any drug, the use of progesterone can have some side effects. Especially due to the sensitivity of the body, ** progestan side effects** may be felt more during pregnancy. These side effects are usually mild and temporary, but just in case, it would be helpful to contact the doctor when symptoms are felt.

Mild side effects of progesterone are as follows;

• chest pain and tenderness,
• Headache,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhea,
• Vomiting,
• Tiredness,
• Bone, muscle, joint pain,
• runny nose,
• Sneeze,
• Cough,
• Sinusitis,
• Faranjit,
• Urinary tract infection,
• Vaginal fungus or vaginal discharge,
• Insomnia,
• mood changes.

Apart from these side effects, more severe side effects may be encountered depending on the use of progestan. In such rare cases, it is necessary to apply to a health institution.

The rare and severe side effects of progesterone are as follows;

• severe headache, dizziness, migraine,
• numbness in the arms and legs, weakness,
• Lack of balance and coordination
• Lump formation in the breast,
• rapid heart rate,
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing
• sharp chest pain,
• slow and difficult speech,
• Shortness of breath,
• vision loss, double or blurred vision,
• Unexpected vaginal bleeding
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, hands, feet, ankles, lower legs or eyes,
• skin rash, hives, itching,
• epilepsy crisis,
• stomach pain and swelling, and
• Depression.

What to Do When Feeling Progestan Side Effects?

What to do when faced with the above-mentioned side effects is a matter of curiosity, especially by those who use progesterone during pregnancy. First of all, the doctor should be contacted when symptoms are felt. Rare severe side effects may require medical interventions and drug use may be discontinued. However, when mild side effects are encountered, a drug change may be preferred. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible when symptoms are felt.

How to Use Progestan?

There are many different forms of progestan on the market. Therefore, it should be used in the form, amount and manner recommended by the doctor. Studies show that the absorption rate of progesterone supplements in the form of oral pills or tablets is low. For this reason, progestants in the form of suppositories inserted into the vagina are preferred. Apart from this, it can also be prescribed in the form of injection (needle).

How Much Progesterone Should I Take to Get Pregnant?

For a healthy pregnancy, the hormone progesterone must be at a certain level in the body. Especially in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, the level of progesterone hormone should be controlled. For this reason, doctors may order a progesterone test from women who are having trouble conceiving. The progesterone test is a fairly simple test done with a blood sample. The test result is expected to be between the following values ​​in healthy women.

• 5 – 20 ng/mL in women in the middle of the menstrual cycle,
• 11.2 – 90 ng/mL in the first trimester of pregnancy (first trimester),
• 25.6 – 89.4 ng/mL in the second trimester of pregnancy (second trimester),
• 48.4 – 42.5 ng/mL in the third trimester of pregnancy (third trimester),
• It should be between 1 ng/mL after menopause or at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

How is Progesterone Deficiency Diagnosed?

Progesterone, also known as the ovulation hormone, is vital for getting pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. When it is secreted less than normal, it can cause negative effects on many issues, especially pregnancy. For example, when the body cannot produce enough progesterone, the uterine wall cannot become thick enough. For this reason, even if fertilization occurs, pregnancy is endangered as it will be difficult for the embryo to attach to the uterus.

Symptoms of low progesterone include:

• mood changes
• headache, migraine,
• Irregularity in the menstrual cycle,
• More or less menstrual bleeding than usual.

In addition, due to the deficiency of the progesterone hormone, the estrogen hormone may become more dominant and may cause the following symptoms;

• Decreased sexual desire
• gallbladder problems,
• heavy bleeding,
• weight gain,
• Tenderness and fibrocystic formations in the breasts.

Does Progestan Use During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?

The use of progesterone is one of the treatments often used to prevent the threat of miscarriage, especially in women who have had one or more miscarriages before. Some studies conducted in the 1950s revealed the effects of progesterone on miscarriage, and there was evidence that the use of progesterone in women at risk of miscarriage supported a healthy continuation of pregnancy. On the other hand, a study conducted at the University of Birmingham has shown that women who have had a previous miscarriage and who complain of bleeding in the first weeks of their new pregnancy may benefit from the use of progestants. However, in the results of the research, it was not concluded that all women would have positive results, and it was concluded that only the use of progestone could be beneficial. As can be seen from here,It is seen that the use of progestant during pregnancy will not harm the baby, but on the contrary, it can help the pregnancy progress in a healthy way.