EFFICACY OF ANTI-PROGESTERONE DRUGS IN PREGNANCY TERMINATION

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PROGESTERONE IN PREGNANCY?

Progesterone is a vital hormone that carries the pregnancy from the first day of conceiving. Progesterone makes the uterine wall thicker. The uterus or womb of the mother is the home for the newborn child for the next couple of months. It is very necessary to channelize nutrition from the mother’s body to the fetus. Progesterone makes the path/ attachment between the mother and the fetus so that the child gets proper nutrition which helps in growth and development. By making the uterine wall thicker, progesterone makes the uterus capable of holding and carrying the pregnancy for months without causing any hazards. 

The key points of progesterone function are mentioned below:

· Progesterone increases anti-inflammatory agents in the body. 

· Progesterone helps to maintain good health for the breasts. It reduces the tenderness of the breasts and also prevents any cysts formation in the breasts. Progesterone helps in synthesizing milk during pregnancy. This hormone also obliviates the chances of breast cancer.

· Progesterone is known as the pregnancy hormone. It keeps the Uterus capable of holding the pregnancy. Progesterone prohibits the uterus to perform any contractions during pregnancy.

· Progesterone helps the uterus to facilitate connection with the fertilized egg so that it starts receiving adequate nutrition for growth and development. 

· It also helps the vaginal area to stay protected against any infection. 

· During pregnancy, progesterone stops ovulation, so that the endometrial lining stays intact throughout the gestation period.

· When you get pregnant, your reproductive system starts producing hCG, which signals the ovaries to continue synthesizing progesterone. 

· Progesterone also calms the nerve. 

· This hormone keeps the reproductive tract in a well-maintained stage.

DO ALL ABORTION PILLS CONTAIN ANTI-PROGESTERONE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION?

As we already know Progesterone is a vital hormone for pregnancy, researchers worked on anti-progesterone drugs to block the function of progesterone which leads to the termination of pregnancy. Generally, the Abortion pill package contains two drugs: Mifepristone & Misoprostol. Both of them are anti-progesterone drugs. Mifepristone detaches the fetus and mother connection and it also breaks down the wall of the uterus by making it incapable of holding the pregnancy any further. Misoprostol does the rest of the work to terminate the pregnancy. Misoprostol contacts the uterus and helps in extracting the fetal components out of the uterus.  

HOW DO ANTI-PROGESTERONE DRUGS WORK FOR ABORTION?

Anti-progesterone or Anti- progestins are basically progesterone blockers. Anti-progesterone drugs block the function of the Progesterone hormone. This composition is used in abortion pills medications because Progesterone is one of the important hormones for pregnancy. Anti-progesterone drugs also work for the treatments of endometriosis, emergency contraceptive, breast cancer, uterine myoma, etc. 

· Progesterone hormone binds with cell surface progesterone hormone receptor.

· Progesterone works as a ligand and activates the receptor. PR receptor activates the cascade pathway and stimulates the cell to express further functions.

· If you consume anti-progesterone (anti-progestin) drugs or progesterone blockers, the drug works as a ligand.

· Now the Progesterone will not get a chance to works as a ligand and stimulate the receptors cell to express its function. 

· Because of the presence of an anti-progesterone chemical on the receptor, the cell does not get the stimulus that progesterone is meant to provide.

· As a result, all the functions cause progesterone stops.

· The uterine wall starts getting degenerated, the endometrium layer breaks down, the uterus does not hold the fetus anymore, the connection between mother and the child breaks down. 

· The pregnancy termination process takes place gradually.

· During the first trimester of the gestation period, the Progesterone hormone increases its level exponentially.

· Anti-progesterone drugs work effectively during the first trimester of the gestation period. Because blocking the progesterone function, when it’s needed is crucial in the body can facilitate the abortion process successfully. 

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTI-PROGESTERONE DRUGS?

The following side effects are mild and very common. If the side effects stay longer than 3-4 days then contact your physician as soon as possible.

·       Headache

·       Heavy bleeding

·       Mild fever

·       Abdominal cramps

·       Dizziness

·       Bloating

·       Nausea

·       Vomiting

·       Backache

·       Tiredness

You must remember that your body and mind require plenty of rest at this time. To avoid exacerbating any negative effects, avoid engaging in any vigorous exercise.