Progesterone facts for kids

Progesterone is a steroid hormone. In animals, it is made from cholesterol. It is the base for making certain estrogens and androgens. In animals, it is produced by their body mainly during the second half of the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy it is produced in higher quantities. Willard Myron Allen co-discovered progesterone with his anatomy professor George Washington Corner at the University of Rochester Medical School in 1933 year. Allen discovered temperature needed to melt it and its weight. He also gave it the name Progesterone based on Progestational Steroidal ketone. In one plant, Juglans regia, progesterone has been found. Also progesterone-like steroids are found in Dioscorea mexicana. Progesterone level is low in children and postmenopausal women.

Images for kids

• 

  Micrograph showing changes to the endometrium due to progesterone (decidualization) H&E stain.

• 

  Progesterone levels across the menstrual cycle in normally cycling and ovulatory women. The horizontal lines are the mean integrated levels for each curve. The vertical line is mid-cycle.

• 

  A sample of progesterone.

• 

  The Marker semisynthesis of progesterone from diosgenin.

• 

  Stigmasterol to progesterone synthesis.

• 

  The Johnson total synthesis of progesterone.

See also

In Spanish: Progesterona para niños