Plasma progesterone levels following subdermal implantation of progesterone pellets in lactating women

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Abstract
The magnitude and duration of elevated plasma progesterone levels resulting from subdermal implantation of progesterone pellets were investigated in full nursing women. This condition was chosen because it is associated with a low rate of ovulation and minimal endogenous progesterone production. In addition, treatment with progesterone pellets was intended to be a substitute for oral or parenteral administration of synthetic progestogens to nursing mothers. A control group of full nursing women receiving no hormones provided blood samples so that basal plasma progesterone levels from the 2nd to 6th post-partum month could be assessed. Progesterone pellets were implanted subdermally on day 30-35 after delivery. Insertion of 2, 4 or 6 pellets each containing 100 mg of progesterone caused an initial elevation of plasma progesterone to 5.9, 9.9 and 13.5 nmol/l, respectively. This initial elevation was followed by a gradual decline, so that basal levels were attained at 70, 100 and 150 days after insertion of 2, 4 or 6 pellets. Implantation of 6 progesterone pellets led to a significant decrease in the ovulation rate of nursing women. Subdermal implantation of 6 progesterone pellets can provide biologically effective levels of the hormone for up to 5 mo.

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