What Is the Meaning of Pregnancy Hormone Levels?

Pregnancy hormone levels refer to the new levels of hormones in a woman's body that are necessary to build and sustain another life. Being pregnant doesn't just change a woman's physical appearance, but the inner functioning of her body, as well.

Hormonal Changes

• When a woman is pregnant, there are certain hormones that are suppressed and others that become more plentiful. For instance, throughout pregnancy, follicle-stimulating hormones, or FSH, and luteinizing hormones, or LH, are suppressed, and there is an increased production of human placenta lactogens, estrogen and progesterone.

Importance of Hormonal Changes in Pregnancy

• Physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, including the growth of the fetus and changes in the mother's body, are controlled by changes in her hormonal levels.

Problems of Hormone Imbalance

• Many reproductive problems are due to hormonal imbalance rather than physiological causes. For instance, postnatal depression, a common occurrence, is a result of a hormonal imbalance.

Effects of Hormonal Imbalance on Pregnancy

• Hormonal imbalances in the body can result in abnormal pregnancies. For instance, 4 to 6 percent of women who take progestin only have ectopic, or displaced, pregnancies. The same is true of women with DES, or diethylstilbestrol, exposure, as well as those who have taken ovulation induction. DES is a synthetic estrogen that can damage the reproductive system of a developing fetus.

Hormonal Imbalance in Miscarriage

• The most common side effect of a hormonal imbalance is a miscarriage, which can be caused by a luteal phase deficiency, abnormal levels in the thyroid hormone, hyperprolactinemia and polycystic ovarian syndrome.