Progesterone is an important hormone that plays a vital role in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy. It is a steroid hormone produced mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovary during the second half of the menstrual cycle and by the placenta during pregnancy. Some key facts about progesterone:
- It helps prepare the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg
- It helps maintain pregnancy by supporting the developing fetus
- It balances the effects of estrogen in the body
- It is essential for normal menstruation and ovulation
- It helps regulate other body functions like body temperature and mood