progesterone

American  

[proh-jes-tuh-rohn] / proʊˈdʒɛs təˌroʊn /

noun

progesterones plural

1. Biochemistry. a hormone, C 2 1 H 3 0 O 2 , that prepares the uterus for the fertilized ovum and maintains pregnancy.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial form of this compound, obtained from the corpus luteum of pregnant sows or synthesized: used in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, threatened or recurrent abortion, etc.

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progesterone British  

/ prəʊˈdʒɛstəˌrəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: corpus luteum hormone.  a steroid hormone, secreted mainly by the corpus luteum in the ovary, that prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy. Formula: C 21 H 30 O 2

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progesterone Scientific  

/ prō-jĕs′tə-rōn′ /

1. A steroid hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy, maintains pregnancy, and promotes development of the mammary glands. The main sources of progesterone are the ovary and the placenta. Chemical formula: C ₂₁ H ₃₀ O ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• progesterones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of progesterone

1930–35; blend of progestin and luteosterone (< German Luteosteron, synonymous with progestin, equivalent to Luteo- luteo- (representing corpus luteum ) + -steron ( see sterol, -one))

Compare meaning

How does progesterone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• progestin vs. progesterone

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

progesterone progesterones

Fluctuating progesterone levels during early to mid-pregnancy can make you hotter, the same study shows.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

A functional health doctor prescribed progesterone cream to help balance my hormones, another solution tailored to women experiencing menopause.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

Hamilton points to research on female athletes that found higher rates of ligament injuries at certain points in the cycle, likely linked to progesterone and estrogen’s effects on connective tissue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 14, 2026

HRT provides women with bioidentical estrogen that their bodies no longer make regularly or at all, in addition to progesterone in most cases.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026

No. 11 had 3,560 picograms of progesterone per milliliter, compared to 56 picograms per milliliter for Wolf No. 10, whose reproductive tract appeared immature.

From An Experimental Translocation of the Eastern Timber Wolf by Hook, Richard A.

As a side benefit, it raises good cholesterol more effectively than today's synthetic progesterones.

From Time Magazine Archive