Progesterone is widely regarded as a female sex hormone, when this is not the case at all. In fact, there is not a great deal of difference in male and females regarding the quantity of the hormone that is present in the body.

Progesterone is essentialto the bodies of both men and women, as it makes many of the other hormones that are vital for our good health. It is secreted naturally by the ovaries in the second two weeks of the menstrual cycle.

So what does progesterone do exactly?

1)      It changes the cervical mucus to a thicker substance in the second half of a woman`s period.

2)      Reduces the level of acidity level of the vagina.

3)      Acts with other hormones to maintain pregnancy.

4)      Stimulates development of breast tissue.

5)      Responsible for mood changes during the second half of the cycle.

By 1943, progesterone was being made from a plant steroid and discovering that it could be made like this, biochemists began converting it into other hormones  These included cortisone, testosterone and estrogen.

Progesterone will stabilize the tissue lining of the uterus and if it is absent, irregular and heavy monthly bleeding. This is common and often occurs after a period without any menstrual bleeding.

If progesterone is given continuously such as with postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, it will prevent menstrual bleeding. If, on the other hand, one dose or treatment of progesterone is given and then discontinued, then the falling progesterone levels will actually cause a bleed.

Progesterone has been linked to mood changes in women and high doses have been proven to offer sedating effects.The combination of estrogen plus progestogens as used in hormonal replacement therapy and do not tend to worsen mood because the compounds neutralize each other. There are some women though who are more sensitive to certain hormones, so their doses may need to be adjusted.