What Causes Low Progesterone?
Aug 25, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Lihua
Introduction
1. Endocrine imbalances—such as those involving the adrenal glands or thyroid gland—can impair ovarian function, thereby disrupting ovulation and leading to low progesterone levels. Additionally, low progesterone can interfere with ovulation itself and hinder conception.
2. Inadequate luteal secretion: Progesterone is a hormone secreted by the ovaries after ovulation; thus, luteal insufficiency results in reduced progesterone production.
Progesterone exerts significant morphological effects on the estrogen-primed endometrium in the body and is essential for maintaining pregnancy. It is a naturally occurring progestogen secreted by the ovarian corpus luteum. Clinically, progesterone is used to manage threatened abortion, habitual abortion, and for diagnostic evaluation of amenorrhea or its underlying causes. If progesterone levels are too low, pregnancy cannot be sustained. So, what causes low progesterone? Below, we address this question.
Causes of Low Progesterone
1. Endocrine Imbalance
Dysfunction of the adrenal glands or thyroid gland can impair ovarian function, thereby disrupting ovulation and leading to low progesterone levels. Furthermore, low progesterone may itself interfere with ovulation and hinder conception. Additionally, prior uterine trauma or pathology—such as threatened abortion, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, amenorrhea, or infertility—can directly result in reduced progesterone production.
2. Inadequate Corpus Luteum Secretion
Since progesterone is secreted by the ovaries following ovulation, insufficient corpus luteum function leads to impaired ovarian development and reduced progesterone synthesis, resulting in low progesterone levels. Moreover, insulin resistance may also contribute to decreased progesterone. Individuals experiencing low progesterone should seek prompt medical evaluation and receive targeted, effective treatment under professional medical guidance.
Knowledge Extension: Functions of Progesterone
1. Immunoprotection
Progesterone exhibits immunoprotective properties and suppresses immune responses. In one experimental study, tumor cells were implanted into the uteri of animals; only those animals administered progesterone failed to reject the cells, allowing successful implantation into the uterine wall—demonstrating progesterone’s ability to inhibit immune rejection. This also implies that during normal pregnancy, elevated progesterone levels help prevent maternal immune rejection of the embryo, thereby sustaining gestation. Conversely, insufficient progesterone may predispose the embryo to maternal immune rejection and subsequent miscarriage.
2. Blastocyst Implantation
Typically, under the influence of progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation, the endometrium transitions from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase, rendering it receptive to embryonic implantation. Simultaneously, decidual cells—derived from endometrial stromal cells—accumulate glycogen granules to nourish the blastocyst. Progesterone further induces decidual transformation of endometrial stroma and regulates, via autocrine or paracrine signaling, the expression of various implantation-related factors.
The above outlines the primary causes of low progesterone. We hope this information proves helpful.
