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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Is One Recommended To Take Progesterone After Having Irregular Periods?

My daughter is 29 years old and is not on birth control pills. Her menstrual cycles have been lasting 7-12 days and were very irregular. Her GYN put her on progesterone for 2 cycles; she just began taking it last week and she is bleeding again. Can you please explain to me in layman s terms, simply, exactly what the progesterone is supposed to do for her? I know break through bleeding is probably caused by lack of hormone production..
Fri, 11 Sep 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello, thanks for posting on HCM.
Progesterone is a hormone produced by ovaries mostly after ovulation. It causes growth of the uterus and makes it healthy and ready for baby if pregnancy occurs. This phase goes on till 8-10 days from ovulation.
If pregnancy does not occurs, there is a dip in progesterone production and thus the entire prepared uterus loses the stimulation of progesterone and it causes erosion of the uterine wall which is called menstruation aka periods.
So when patient with irregular periods or prolonged periods is put on progesterone it will cause proper proliferation and then the tablet will be stopped when period is expected. As there is sudden dip in progesterone levels in body, uterus starts to erode the walls and period will occur.
So doctor here is expecting to make the cycle regular by making body get used to proper timing and restarting the hormone cycle so it will be regular.
I hope I have given satisfactory answer to your query, if you still have any more query kindly write back to me and I will be happy to help.
Thank you.



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Why Is One Recommended To Take Progesterone After Having Irregular Periods?

Hello, thanks for posting on HCM. Progesterone is a hormone produced by ovaries mostly after ovulation. It causes growth of the uterus and makes it healthy and ready for baby if pregnancy occurs. This phase goes on till 8-10 days from ovulation. If pregnancy does not occurs, there is a dip in progesterone production and thus the entire prepared uterus loses the stimulation of progesterone and it causes erosion of the uterine wall which is called menstruation aka periods. So when patient with irregular periods or prolonged periods is put on progesterone it will cause proper proliferation and then the tablet will be stopped when period is expected. As there is sudden dip in progesterone levels in body, uterus starts to erode the walls and period will occur. So doctor here is expecting to make the cycle regular by making body get used to proper timing and restarting the hormone cycle so it will be regular. I hope I have given satisfactory answer to your query, if you still have any more query kindly write back to me and I will be happy to help. Thank you.