Preterm labor - Progesterone

Progesterone in maintenance of pregnancy:
In animal studies, medroxy progesterone treatment prevented labor and possessed anti-inflammatory property in vivo.
As medroxy progesterone suppresses the activation of both TH1 & TH2 cytokine pathways in the uterus and cervix.
These cytokines thought to play a role in maintenance of pregnancy and later in initiation of parturition.
Progesterone also responsible for tightening of cervix.
Most commonly used progestin in human clinical trials is 17 alfa hydroxy progesterone caproate. Intramuscular once a week, to women at risk for preterm labor.
And 100mg of vaginal suppository of natural progesterone can also be used.
One concept is that progesterone withdrawal does not precede the initiation of parturition.
So the use of progesterone to maintain uterine quiescence and to block labor initiation deserves continued evaluation.


Preterm labor-etiologicalfactors
Preterm labor-pathogenesis and diagnosis
Preterm labor-investigations
Preterm labor-prediction
Preterm labor-complications
Preterm labor -prevention
Preterm labor-bacterialvaginosis
Preterm labor-progesterone.html
Preterm labor-cervical circlage
Pretem labor-management
Preterm labor-tocolytics
Preterm labor-with premature rupture of membranes