Progesterone Molecular Structure
What is progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone produced by ovarian corpus luteum cells. The corpus luteum is a structure that develops in the ovary instead of a mature egg that has been released during ovulation. Consequently, the progesterone level rises during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
Production
Whenever the released egg is not fertilized, progesterone production decreases, menstruation and degeneration of the corpus luteum occurs.
Progesterone is a steroid that has the same chemical composition as female estrogen hormones and male androgen hormones.
Progesterone function in the body
The main function of progesterone hormone is to prepare the mucous membrane of the uterus to receive the egg. It also stimulates breast preparation for milk production.
Contraceptives
There are substances that mimic the action of progesterone hormone in order to be used together with synthetic estrogens, as in the case of oral contraceptives and also in cases of hormone replacement.
