Why Should We Administer Progesterone? What Are the Precautions to Consider?

Progesterone, also known as progesterone hormone or corpus luteum hormone, is a hormone secreted by the ovaries. If a woman experiences a lack of progesterone during pregnancy, it can be treated through external injection. When using progesterone, it is essential to understand the relevant precautions, as improper use may have adverse effects on the pregnant woman. Let's explore the reasons for administering progesterone and the key considerations to bear in mind.

Progesterone, also known as progesterone hormone or corpus luteum hormone, is the primary biologically active progesterone secreted by the ovaries and is currently recognized as the most important hormone for supporting pregnancy. In controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive treatment in Taiwan, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (a type of hormone and endocrine drug also known as hypothalamic-pituitary hormones) or antagonists (substances without intrinsic activity) may be used to suppress pituitary function in order to prevent spontaneous ovulation. This leads to a decrease in luteinizing hormone, resulting in poor corpus luteum development, dysfunction, and ultimately a decline in progesterone levels. Additionally, during oocyte retrieval, the loss of a large number of granulosa cells leads to a reduction in the active components of the corpus luteum, also resulting in dysfunction. Supplementing progesterone can compensate for insufficient serum and local uterine progesterone levels. Women undergoing frozen embryo transfer also require external progesterone injection to maintain progesterone levels necessary for embryo implantation and development, as there is no follicle or corpus luteum formation during the artificial cycle.

1. Caution should be exercised in patients with renal disease, heart disease, edema, and hypertension.

2. Comprehensive examination should be conducted before administering progesterone to patients with early miscarriage to confirm the presence of corpus luteum dysfunction.

3. Patients with severe liver damage should not receive progesterone as it may exacerbate their condition.

4. The use of synthetic progesterone may result in masculinization of approximately 18% of female fetuses. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the use of natural progesterone and avoid synthetic progesterone.

5. Progesterone should not be used during early pregnancy. According to relevant reports, excessive use of progesterone during the early stages of pregnancy can increase the risk of malformations in the anus, spine, and limbs of the fetus by eightfold.