Contents
What Is Progesterone?
Progesterone is an endogenous sex hormone that is responsible for menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy by preparing the uterus for implantation and maintaining its elasticity. Progesterone is one of the progesterone steroid hormones. It is secreted by the corpus luteum, a temporal endocrine gland that female body produces after ovulation, during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone prepares the endometrium for the potential of pregnancy after fertilization. It triggers the lining to thicken and accept the fertilized egg. It also prohibits the muscle contractions in the uterus that would cause the uterus to reject an egg. While the body is producing high levels of progesterone, the body will not ovulate.
If the woman does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum breaks down, lowering the progesterone levels in the body. This change sparks menstruation. If the body does conceive, progesterone continues to stimulate the body to provide the blood vessels in the endometrium that will feed the growing fetus. The hormone also prepares the limit of the uterus further so it can accept the fertilized egg.
Once the placenta develops, it also begins to secrete progesterone, supporting the corpus luteum. This causes the levels to remain elevated throughout the pregnancy, so the body does not produce more eggs. It also helps prepare the breasts for milk production.
Facts About Progesterone
- Progesterone is responsible for maintaining pregnancy by preparing the uterus for implantation and maintaining its elasticity.
- Progesterone is secreted from corpus lutetium and the adrenal glands.
- Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy.
- The secretion of estrogen is largely regulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
- Progesterone decreases the body fat by using fat for energy.
- Progesterone helps in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
- Progesterone secretion increases during pregnancy.
- Progesterone is produced by both men and women.
- Progesterone is produced by corpus luteum during the entire pregnancy.
- During pregnancy progesterone induces growth of decidual cells, reduces contracitility of uterus and stimulates growth of mammary glands.
What Is Estrogen?
Oestrogen or estrogen is the primary female sex hormone responsible for development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. While estrogen is present in both male and female, they are usually present at significantly higher levels in woman of reproductive age. It influences the structural differences between the male and female bodies.
The primary function of estrogens is development of female secondary sexual characteristics. These includes breasts, endometrium, regulation of the menstrual cycle etc. In males estrogen helps in maturation of the sperm and maintenance of a healthy libido.
Estrogen is responsible for development of the female body and the secondary sexual characters. It helps decelerate height increase in females during puberty, accelerates burning of body fat and reduces muscle bulk.
It also stimulates growth of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) during the menstrual cycle, increases uterine growth, improves lubrication of the vagina, and thickens the vaginal wall while increasing blood vessels to the skin.
Facts About Estrogen
- Oestrogen is a chief female sex hormone, which controls the development of female reproductive system and secondary female sex characteristics.
- Estrogen promotes the development of female reproductive system and secondary female characteristics.
- Estrogen is secreted by the ovaries of female and from the adrenal glands.
- The secretion of progesterone is largely controlled by Luteinizing hormone.
- Estrogen increases the body fat and weight gain.
- An increase in Estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Estrogen secretion decreases during pregnancy.
- Estrogen hormone is produced particularly by women.
- In later month of pregnancy, placenta is the main source of estrogen hormone.
- During pregnancy estrogen induces enlargement of uterus and breast.
Differences Between Estrogen And Progesterone In Tabular Form
| Basis of Comparison | Oestrogen | Progesterone |
| Definition | Oestrogen or Estrogen is a chief female sex hormone, which controls the development of female reproductive system and secondary female sex characteristics. | Progesterone is responsible for maintaining pregnancy by preparing the uterus for implantation and maintaining its elasticity. |
| Secretion | Secreted by the ovaries of female and from the adrenal glands. | Secreted from corpus lutetium and the adrenal glands. |
| Regulation | The secretion of estrogen is largely regulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). | The secretion of progesterone is largely controlled by Luteinizing hormone. |
| Major Role | Promotes the development of female reproductive system and secondary female characteristics. | Prepares the uterus for pregnancy. |
| Weight Gain | Increases the body fat and weight gain. | Decreases the body fat by using fat for energy. |
| Cancer Risk | An increase in Estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer. | Helps in reducing the risk of breast cancer. |
| Production | Produced particularly by women. | Produced by both men and women. |
| Amount During Pregnancy | Secretion decreases during pregnancy. | Secretion increases during pregnancy. |
| Secretion during Pregnancy | In later month of pregnancy, placenta is the main source of estrogen hormone. | Produced by corpus luteum during the entire pregnancy. |
| Function During Pregnancy | During pregnancy estrogen induces enlargement of uterus and breast. | During pregnancy progesterone induces growth of decidual cells, reduces contracitility of uterus and stimulates growth of mammary glands. |
What are Similarities between Estrogen and Progesterone?
- Estrogen and progesterone are both secreted during the menstrual cycle.
- Both play a role during pregnancy.
- Estrogen and progesterone are a part of the contraceptive mix of birth control pills.
- Both are steroidal hormones.
- Both are female sex hormones.
Summary
What is the main Difference between Progesterone and Estrogen?
Oestrogen or Estrogen is a chief female sex hormone, which controls the development of female reproductive system and secondary female sex characteristics. On the other hand, Progesterone is responsible for maintaining pregnancy by preparing the uterus for implantation and maintaining its elasticity.