Miscarriage is a common condition that affects many women during pregnancy. Statistics indicate that a quarter of women have been exposed to this condition, and the results of a new study have shown that obtaining a dose of the hormone progesterone may help women to reduce the problem of miscarriage. The study's results were published in the International Journal of ASRM fertility and sterility.Repeated pregnancy loss (RPL) is a clinical condition that occurs when a woman has more than two miscarriages or has experienced a pregnancy failure within 4-6 weeks from the start of pregnancy.According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), between 15-25 % of women are affected by this condition, which may be caused by genetic matters, aging and hormonal disorders, or women having some uterine disorders, and the association says that 50 % of these cases are with unknown causes.

The study

The researchers recruited 116 women who had at least two miscarriages in the first trimester; before 10 weeks of pregnancy, then researchers tested the endometrium function to see if the lining was without any abnormality and healthy enough to keep the fetus or not. The team examined the molecular markers of the endometrium called "CyclinE," and the high percentage of these markers may indicate the risk of pregnancy complications or pregnancy failure.Among 116 women, 59 had high levels of ‘CyclinE’ whereas, in the remaining cases, the levels of this substance were normal.

Usage

Those women with a high level of ‘CyclinE,' were injected with 100-200 mg of progesterone vaginally every 12 hours during the second half of their menstrual cycle, or 3 days after observing the mutation of hormones that indicated ovulation.

Results

The results showed that 68% of these women who took progesterone supplements, by injection or "vaginal gel" or tablets, had a higher chance of completing pregnancy and having a baby, compared to 51% of women who did not take progesterone supplements.The researchers said that progesterone plays a key role in stabilizing the endometrium, which is responsible for the stability of pregnancy or the occurrence of repeated miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy, which enhances the chances of the embryo or fetus stabilizing and successfully completing the pregnancy.

Saving thousands of fetuses

The researchers concluded that "this treatment can save thousands of fetuses who may have lost due to miscarriage," noting that this is the largest study ever conducted in this case.However, women are sometimes susceptible to miscarriage risk. Especially for those who have late pregnancy, 40-year-old women are 40% more likely to have a miscarriage. Premature birth, cesarean delivery, or gestational diabetes also increases the risks.Besides, the earlier you become pregnant, the lower the risk of miscarriage is. "It is known that miscarriages take place statistically around the ninth week of pregnancy when the placenta takes control of the yellow body.” After 10 weeks or more, if the pregnancy goes well, there is a 99% chance that miscarriage wouldn’t occur.

Further information

Progesterone

Progesterone is one of the important and main female hormones for women, and it is responsible for many activities in a woman's body, especially with regard to her sexual life, pregnancy, and childbearing. Therefore its lack causes many problems, knowing that the hormone progesterone is excreted in males also in small amounts, as secreted by the adrenal gland.

Benefits of the progesterone hormone

  • Prepares the endometrium to hold the fertilized egg, and allows it to implant successfully.
  • Raises the cervical mucosa, which contributes to the access of sperm to the egg for fertilization.
  • Preserves the fetus, allows it to grow and develop, and protects against the risk of miscarriage, as it contributes to stabilizing the pregnancy.
  • Protects against the rejection of the fetus's immune system in the woman's abdomen.
  • Helps in the full growth and development of the fetus during the months of pregnancy.
  • Aid to take advantage of body fat to produce energy.

To sum up,

Progesterone could help women with recurrent miscarriage, reports an American study published in the scientific journal ‘’Fertility and Sterility”. Conclusions that confirm the benefits of this female hormone essential for the smooth running of a pregnancy.This molecule has indeed been used for a long time in women at risk of miscarriages as it plays a key role in preparing the uterus for the implantation of the embryo or fetus and the maintenance of pregnancy. In addition, several studies have shown that progesterone deficiency in early pregnancy can be one of the causes of spontaneous abortion.This complication affects between 15 and 20% of women. Some of them face unexplained repeated losses. It is for this reason that researchers at Yale University, in collaboration with their colleagues at the University of Illinois (United States), have once again looked into the use of progesterone in women, having experienced at least two miscarriages to help them preventing miscarriages and have a baby.Come back; we still have more concerning your health!

Originally published on Live Positively.