Can low progesterone levels cause fetal arrest?

Generally, low progesterone levels may increase the risk of fetal arrest; however, not all cases of low progesterone lead to fetal arrest, and the two do not have an absolute cause-and-effect relationship. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Progesterone is an essential hormone for maintaining pregnancy, primarily supporting endometrial development and suppressing uterine contractions to ensure stable embryo implantation. If progesterone levels significantly decrease during early pregnancy, it may indicate inadequate luteal function or abnormal embryonic development, thereby increasing the risk of fetal arrest and miscarriage. It should be noted that progesterone levels vary individually and physiologically, such as diurnal fluctuations. A single low measurement does not necessarily indicate an abnormality and should be interpreted in conjunction with ultrasound evaluation of embryonic development. In clinical practice, when progesterone levels are low but embryonic development is normal, indiscriminate progesterone supplementation may not prevent fetal arrest. If poor embryonic development is present, low progesterone may be a result rather than the cause of fetal arrest.

Therefore, when low progesterone levels are detected, timely medical consultation is necessary for physician evaluation and determination of whether intervention is required.