Preterm birth – use and role of progesterone Case report
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Published:
Mar 31, 2025
Keywords:
progesterone, cervix, preterm birth, tocolysis
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Abstract
Progesterone plays a key role in maintaining pregnancy, including preventing preterm birth. Vaginal progesterone is an effective drug for the prevention of preterm birth. Both in pregnant women with singleton gestation with a cervical length of ≤ 25 mm and in patients after effective tocolytic treatment in preterm labor, progesterone therapy reduces the risk of preterm delivery and, therefore, also the risk of low birth weight of the newborn and prematurity. Among the available gestagens, only vaginal progesterone has been proven effective in preventing preterm birth and is recommended by the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.
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How to Cite
Kosińska-Kaczyńska, K. (2025). Preterm birth – use and role of progesterone. Medycyna Faktow (J EBM), 18(1(66), 156-160. https://doi.org/10.24292/01.MF.0125.23
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References
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10. Romero R, Conde-Agudelo A, Da Fonseca E et al. Vaginal progesterone for preventing preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton gestations with a short cervix: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018; 218(2): 161-80.
11. Whitworth M, Quenby S. Prophylactic oral betamimetics for preventing preterm labour in singleton pregnancies. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008; 2008(1): CD006395.
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13. Ding MX, Luo X, Zhang XM et al. Progesterone and nifedipine for maintenance tocolysis after arrested preterm labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2016; 55(3): 399-404.
14. Areia A, Fonseca E, Moura P. Progesterone use after successful treatment of threatened pre-term delivery. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013; 33(7): 678-81.
2. Kosińska-Kaczyńska K, Szymusik I, Bomba-Opoń D et al. Perinatal outcome according to chorionicity in twins – a Polish multicenter study. Ginekol Pol. 2016; 87(5): 384-9.
3. Romero R, Dey SK, Fisher SJ. Preterm labor: one syndrome, many causes. Science. 2014; 345(6198): 760-5.
4. Coutinho CM, Sotiriadis A, Odibo A et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines: role of ultrasound in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022; 60(3): 435-56.
5. Bomba-Opoń D, Czajkowski K, Karowicz-Bilińska A et al. Rekomendacje Polskiego Towarzystwa Ginekologicznego dotyczące stosowania progesteronu w ginekologii i położnictwie. Ginekol Pol. 2015; 86(3): 234-8.
6. Celik E, To M, Gajewska K et al. Cervical length and obstetric history predict spontaneous preterm birth: development and validation of a model to provide individualized risk assessment. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008; 31(5): 549-54.
7. Grobman WA, Gilbert SA, Iams JD et al. Activity restriction among women with a short cervix. Obstet Gynecol. 2013; 121(6): 1181-6.
8. Sosa CG, Althabe F, Belizán JM et al. Bed rest in singleton pregnancies for preventing preterm birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015; 2015(3): CD003581.
9. Saccone G, Ciardulli A, Xodo S et al. Cervical Pessary for Preventing Preterm Birth in Singleton Pregnancies With Short Cervical Length: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Ultrasound Med. 2017; 36(8): 1535-43.
10. Romero R, Conde-Agudelo A, Da Fonseca E et al. Vaginal progesterone for preventing preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton gestations with a short cervix: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018; 218(2): 161-80.
11. Whitworth M, Quenby S. Prophylactic oral betamimetics for preventing preterm labour in singleton pregnancies. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008; 2008(1): CD006395.
12. McGoldrick E, Stewart F, Parker R et al. Antenatal corticosteroids for accelerating fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020; 12(12): CD004454.
13. Ding MX, Luo X, Zhang XM et al. Progesterone and nifedipine for maintenance tocolysis after arrested preterm labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2016; 55(3): 399-404.
14. Areia A, Fonseca E, Moura P. Progesterone use after successful treatment of threatened pre-term delivery. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013; 33(7): 678-81.