FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

Which hormone is implicated in frequent urination during pregnancy?

1. TSH

2. Estradiol

3. HCG

4. Oxytocin

The correct answer is: HCG

The hormone involved in frequent urination during pregnancy is HCG, or human Chorionic Gonadotropin. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after implantation. Its primary role is to maintain the corpus luteum during the first trimester, which is crucial for the production of progesterone. As pregnancy progresses, HCG levels peak and can lead to increased kidney blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. This physiological change can result in more frequent urination, as the kidneys process more fluid due to hormonal influences. While other hormones like estradiol and oxytocin play significant roles during pregnancy, they are not directly connected to the symptom of frequent urination in the same way HCG is. Estradiol primarily helps in the development of the placenta and regulation of maternal physiology rather than increasing urination frequency. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is involved in labor and milk ejection and does not contribute to early pregnancy urination issues. Thus, HCG is the specific hormone most directly associated with frequent urination during pregnancy.