Effects of Progesterone on the Body

984 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone on the female

Progesterone, a type of female sex hormone which belong to a steroid hormone class known as progestogen, has a major role in the development of oral contraception. Progesterone is produced in ovaries, adrenal gland and in placenta when women get pregnant. In the menstrual cycle, ovary unceasingly alternates between two phases: the follicular phase, which is characterized by the presence of maturing follicles and the luteal phase, which is governed by the presence of corpus luteum. Ovulation occurs in between these phases. Corpus luteum, which is formed through luteinization of ruptured follicle after ovulation, secretes large amounts of progesterone and small amount of estrogen.
Progesterone acts at progesterone receptors (PR) which present in two isoforms: PR.A and PR.B. Binding of progesterone to the receptors leads to dimerization. “Dimers bind to DNA at specific progesterone response elements on promoters of progesterone-responsive genes and regulate transcription” (Ruenitz, 2010, p237) directly or associate with co-activators or co-repressors. It increases number of blood vessels and secretory glands in estrogen-primed endometrium to create a hospitable and nutritious lining for implantation of a fertilized ovum and maintains endometrium quiescent by reducing uterus contractility. Besides, progesterone also acts at hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) nucleus kiss1 neurons and indirectly inhibit gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatile release and thus suppress luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the anterior pituitary. These inhibitions help prevent new follicular maturation and ovulation during the luteal phase.
Levonorgestrel (LNG) is a second generation synthetic progestogen. It a...

... middle of paper ...

...ifepristone increases decidual cells’ secretion of prostaglandins and induces accumulation of prostaglandin by inhibiting prostaglandin dehydrogenase. (Spitz, 2009) In addition, Mifepristone also increases myometrial sensitivity to prostaglandins. In early pregnancy, Mifepristone initiates cervical ripening through stimulates nitric oxide (NO) release and expression of inducible NO synthase in cervix. (Spitz, 2009)
Apart from abortion, mifepristone is also indicated for many conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis and etc. mifepristone also exerts contraceptive potential as some studies found that ovulation is inhibited with daily doses of mifepristone of 2 mg or higher. (Spitz, 2009) However, mifepristone has a slow clinical development due to political, legal and religious controversy with regards to its ability to induce medical abortion. (Spitz, 2009)

Show More
Related

  • Argumentative Essay On Abortion

    2739 Words  | 6 Pages

    Abortion, like any other medical procedure, carries some risks. When one considers, however, that “the risk of death associated with childbirth is about 10 times as high as that associated with abortion” (“Know the Facts”), the threat of abortion suddenly does not seem as perilous. Additionally, contrary to popular misconception, abortion does not contribute to future infertility or development of breast cancer. It is therefore safer and more prudent to have an abortion than an unwanted pregnancy.

    Read More

  • Anabolic Steroid Use in AIDS Patients

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    HCG which tells the body that it has produced to much ooestrogen. The body counteracts

    Read More

  • Margaret Sanger Advocate

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since 1912 Sanger had dreamed of a pill that would provide cheap, safe, and effective contraception. In 1951 Margaret Sanger met Dr. Gregory Pincus, a biologist whose expertise was in the field of fertility. Planned Parenthood Federation of America provided a grant to research the effect of progesterone on ovulation. Dr. Pincus’ research supported earlier findings that progesterone acts as an inhibitor to ovulation. With these findings, Margaret Sanger was able to convince Katherine McCormick, a wealthy heiress, to provide the funding for Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop the first birth control

    Read More

  • Essay On Birth Control Pills

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the 1950’s, the search was on for a reliable oral contraceptive. Research began based

    Read More

  • The RU-486 Pill

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Russell-Uflad Company developed the RU-486 pill in France in 1980. The women of France greatly hailed the development of this pill. It was said to be safer, easier, and more private since the pill can be taken at home, or in a doctor's office instead of a hospital. The pill has proven to be very effective and has found its way to the United States, but is only tentatively approved. Why should it not be approved if it could be an easier, more private way to have an abortion? Over half a million women in France have used the RU-486 pill and there have been very few cases reported with serious side effects. (Banwell 82) The side effects have only occurred in 4 percent of the women who have already used the pill. The side effects have been so minor that most of the women did not need medical attention.

    Read More

  • Essay On Diethylstilbestrol

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    In brief, Diethylstilbestrol was a huge turning point for most pregnant women in the early twentieth century; however, it had many underlying negative effects including cancer, and reproductive system deformations. Diethylstilbestrol was used to prevent miscarriages and it was found inefficient. The women who took Diethylstilbestrol put themselves and their kids at risk. Diethylstilbestrol was made with good intentions but the creator did not know the harmful effects it would have on its patients. There are many people still living with the side effects of Diethylstilbestrol, many of which are incurable. This exemplifies how someone can have a good idea to make someone’s life better, but in the end it can lead to a devastating aftermath.

    Read More

  • The Menthrual Cycle Of Menstruation

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    First, the pituitary gland in the brain produces the hormone follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining and begins to develop an egg in the ovary. About 14 days later, the pituitary gland produces another hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). LH causes the egg to come out of a sac in the ovary (ovulation). The empty sac on the ovary called the corpus luteum is stimulated by another hormone from the pituitary gland called luteotropin. The corpus luteum begins to produce the estrogen and progesterone hormone. The progesterone hormone prepares the lining of the uterus to have the fertilized egg (egg combined with sperm) attach to the lining of the uterus and begin to develop into a fetus. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum stops producing estrogen and progesterone, it disappears, the lining of the uterus sloughs off and a menstrual period begins. Then the menstrual cycle starts all over again and will continue monthly unless pregnancy occurs or menopause

    Read More

  • Effects Of Anobolic Steroids

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    You’ve all seen them, the enormously large muscle-heads at the gym, the participates of the World’s Strongest Man Competition, the amazing offensive tackles, and the lightning fast runners. They were all unnaturally strong, and looked like gods. You tend to obsess over how beautiful their bodies are, how strong they are, or how fast they can run. All you can think about is reaching that level of athletic excellence, and nothing will hold you back. At times like these some people tend to take the quick fit to get closer to their idols, in the form of steroids. But what individuals tend not see is the horrible side effects that accompany the use of these anabolic steroids. These powerful drugs have both positive and negative results from their use. Along with increased strength and size, users of steroids suffer from a wide range of sicknesses such as cancer, shrinkage of testicles, bad acne, hair loss, damage organs, intense mood swings, and impotence.

    Read More

  • NuvaRing Controversy

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    To prevent fertilization in women various contraceptive methods are utilized. One type of contraceptive method prescribed by physicians is NuvaRing. An online article published in Women’s Health Magazine addresses the issue whether this type of contraceptive is safe. The article entitled, “Is the NuvaRing ACTUALLY Going to Kill You? A Look at the Evidence” questions whether or not NuvaRing is a serious health risk to women. The concept of this article suggests that benefits outweigh the risks (Gueren, 2013).

    Read More

  • Freely Accessible Birth Control for Teenagers

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    Two major types of birth control are contraceptives and condoms. Condoms prevent STDs by stopping the flow of semen in to the vaginal canal. Contraceptives are more complex. Birth control contraceptives help to prevent pregnancies by combining the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent the egg from being released during the monthly cycle. Not only do the contraceptives prevent the egg from dropping but they also thicken the mucus around the cervix making it hard for sperm to enter the uterus just in case any eggs were released. (Hirsch 1)

    Read More

  • Side Effects Of Menopause

    1846 Words  | 4 Pages

    Menopause is a course that every woman's body must experience. Majority of women already know the symptoms, side effects, and all-around unpleasantness that comes with menopause and this can, cause them to be concerned that it may have an affect on their social, personal, and professional lives. However, if there was an answer that could help facilitate the torment of menopause would most ladies take it? Likely, yet what numerous ladies don't know is that there can be serious symptoms while experiencing Hormonal Replacement Therapy. Before one can understand Hormonal Replacement Therapy, they should first know what menopause is. Menopause is a characteristic piece of maturing and it happens when a woman’s ovaries quit creating a substance called

    Read More

  • Abortion: Pro-Life and Pro-Choice

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    The debate concerning abortion still exists and is causing a lot of controversy. One of the biggest is an issue concerning mother’s who are experiencing health compilations during p...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Menstruation

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    This includes the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from anterior pituitary gland which in turn stimulates ovary to secrete estrogen and progesterone hormone (Nelson, 2014). According to Mtawali et. al (1997), the changes of hormone will lead to changes in the female reproductive organ such as ovaries, uterus and cervix . Additionally, Mtawali et al. (1997) state the menstrual cycle can be divided into phases based on the changes that occur simultaneously in the ovary (involving the follicular and luteal phase) and the uterus (involving the proliferative, secretory and menstrual phase) as shown in figure 2. Based on figure 1, Mtawali et. al (1997) divide the menstrual into several phases, starting with follicular phase and proliferative phase, followed by luteal phase and secretory phase, menstrual phase (if there is no fertilization) and pregnancy (if fertilization

    Read More

  • Mifeprestone RU-486: The Abortion Pill

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    “One woman dies every 7 minutes around the world due to an unsafe illegal abortion” (Abortion Statistics). Laws against abortion do not stop abortion; they just make them less safe. “For over 15 years, medical evidence has indicated that mifepristone is as safe or safer than commonly used medications” (Mifepristone Safety Overview). Mifepristone, also known as “RU-486” or the “abortion pill” is a prescription drug that is used to end a pregnancy that is less than seven weeks along. Mifepristone has been used, in combination with other medications for medical abortions since 1988. Mifepristone is a steroid that works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain pregnancy. Without this hormone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb) softens and bleeding begins. I think that the RU-486 abortion pill should be encouraged because taking it is a pro-choice decision, the rare health risks and it could help reduce injuries and deaths caused by unsafe illegal abortions.

    Read More

  • What is Endometriosis?

    1777 Words  | 4 Pages

    The cause of endometriosis continues to remain unknown. It has been researched for many decades and...

    Read More

More about Effects of Progesterone on the Body

Open Document