Pregnancy is quite a complicated period, and it’s a time when many doubts arise in a woman’s mind. It’s a time of change, when the body goes through many transformations, most of them caused by hormones. And if there’s one word to define all these changes, it’s definitely hormone1. They are what make women feel nauseous, give women the strength to bear all the pains pregnancy brings, and also cause other things, such as estrogen mucus during pregnancy, for example. But why does it happen? Is it normal? Does having this mucus mean there’s something unusual? These are frequent and relevant questions. But to learn more about the mucus, we first need to understand the relationship between estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy.

The Relationship Between Estrogen and Progesterone

First of all, it’s important to know that both estrogen and progesterone are hormones present throughout a woman’s life. They are, for example, the most active during the menstrual cycle. Working together, the two have the function of preparing a woman’s body for a possible fertilization. The level of progesterone in a woman tends to drop after menstruation, but when fertilization happens, this level remains and starts to rise. That’s the beginning of the hormones’ actions during pregnancy. These two hormones work together, increasing and decreasing their levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle and also causing these changes during pregnancy. It’s mainly because of them that different mood changes occur (which can even lead to illness later on). It’s worth remembering that although they are the most important hormones for mood changes, they are not the only ones. During pregnancy, these hormones affect both the mother and the baby. They help ensure the nutrition of the fetus, especially in the beginning, and are also responsible for changes in the breasts and, consequently, milk production. In general, the integrity of the entire pregnancy is maintained by these hormones.

The Effects of Estrogen During Pregnancy

Estrogen is a very important hormone for pregnancy2. It’s what ensures, for example, the strengthening of uterine muscles, the dilation of blood vessels to the uterus, as well as the dilation of the woman’s sexual organs and the vaginal opening, which is essential for childbirth to occur without problems. The growth of breasts is also related to the amount of estrogen acting in a pregnant woman’s body. The hot flashes so common in pregnancy are also caused by estrogen. That’s because the dilation of blood vessels and the muscle reinforcement that the hormone provides cause the volume of blood in certain veins and arteries to increase, which causes these hot flashes. This dilation brings other side effects besides heat, such as headaches and even pregnancy rhinitis in some cases.

The Mucus in Pregnancy

All these hormonal changes cause estrogen levels to accumulate in a woman’s uterus, and once its function is fulfilled, it is expelled through the vagina in the form of mucus—hence, estrogen mucus during pregnancy. The release of so many hormones usually does not harm the pregnancy, as it only happens after the placenta is fully formed and with sufficient hormone levels to function normally. In other words, the presence of estrogen mucus during pregnancy does not mean that the woman has stopped producing the hormone, but rather that her body is removing the excess so pregnancy can continue smoothly. This usually occurs within the first trimester of pregnancy and is quite common. So, this mucus is not a cause for concern or a sign that something is going wrong—in fact, quite the opposite.

Other Important Hormones in Pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, progesterone and estrogen are the most important hormones in pregnancy, but they’re not the only ones. Some other hormones perform specific essential functions so that pregnancy is successful. They are:

  • Beta-hCG Hormone
  • Prolactin
  • Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin

Let’s talk a little more in depth about each of their actions during pregnancy.

Beta-hCG Hormone

Also known as chorionic gonadotropin, it plays a very important role during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is linked to progesterone and its production begins as soon as fertilization occurs. Measuring Beta-hCG hormone levels is currently the best way to identify pregnancy. It is the hormone measured in the most common tests, both home and hospital-based.

Prolactin

Prolactin, which is produced by the pituitary gland, has a very specific function: to ensure the mammary glands are ready for milk production. Prolactin levels increase from the second trimester of pregnancy onwards. This hormone can affect a woman’s sex life by reducing her libido and causing vaginal dryness3.

Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin

This is a protein produced from the second week of pregnancy and its levels increase progressively over time. Its main function is to promote the baby’s growth in the womb, being very similar to the growth hormone present in children. Understanding why the body acts in certain ways during pregnancy is essential so that the woman doesn’t become worried and can focus on what really matters during such a special time, which is preparing for the baby’s arrival. Things like estrogen mucus during pregnancy happen and many other questions will arise, which is completely normal. Investigating is always important to be sure it’s not a problem, but it’s also good to understand a bit more about this subject, so you don’t get scared when this kind of thing happens. Also read: Discharge in Pregnancy – Is It Normal? Photo: Bonbon