Menstrual cycle and LH cause the remaining parts of the dominant follicle to transform into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. The increased progesterone in the adrenals starts to induce the production of estrogen. The hormones produced by the corpus luteum also suppress production of the FSH and LH that the corpus luteum needs to maintain itself. Consequently, the level of FSH and LH fall quickly over time, and the corpus luteum subsequently atrophies. Falling levels of progesterone trigger menstruation and the beginning of the next cycle. From the time of ovulation until progesterone withdrawal has caused menstruation to begin, the process
Pharmacokinetics of progesterone and has been found to result in higher serum peak progesterone levels relative to intramuscular oil formulations. In addition, subcutaneous injection of progesterone is considered to be easier, safer (less risk of injection site reactions), and less painful relative to intramuscular injection. The elimination half-life of this formulation is 13 to 18 hours, compared to 20 to 28 hours for intramuscular injection in oil. Progesterone has a very short elimination half-life of about 3 to 90 minutes when given by intravenous injection. A one-year progesterone intrauterine device (IUD) for hormonal birth control was previously available in the United States and