Progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.
Progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.
Progesterone
Normal range
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.
Progesterone
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.
Progesterone
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Male: <0.474 Female: 0-46.3 nmol/L
Normal range
Progesterone
Dr. Thiviya Sivakanthan
MBBS
Your Body's Pregnancy Protector
Your Body's Pregnancy Protector
Every month, your body produces a hormone that acts like a protective guardian for potential pregnancy—progesterone. When this hormone isn't working properly, it can affect everything from your menstrual cycle to your ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy, often leaving you feeling confused about what's happening inside your body.
Progesterone is like your body's nurturing hormone, preparing your uterus for pregnancy each month and supporting early pregnancy development. Think of it as nature's way of creating a safe, welcoming environment for a baby—when progesterone levels are balanced, your reproductive system functions smoothly, but when they're disrupted, fertility and menstrual health can suffer.
Every month, your body produces a hormone that acts like a protective guardian for potential pregnancy—progesterone. When this hormone isn't working properly, it can affect everything from your menstrual cycle to your ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy, often leaving you feeling confused about what's happening inside your body.
Progesterone is like your body's nurturing hormone, preparing your uterus for pregnancy each month and supporting early pregnancy development. Think of it as nature's way of creating a safe, welcoming environment for a baby—when progesterone levels are balanced, your reproductive system functions smoothly, but when they're disrupted, fertility and menstrual health can suffer.
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
Discover why irregular periods, fertility problems, and mood changes might be telling you something important about your progesterone.
Read more
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
From stress to age, learn the surprising factors that can dramatically impact your body's ability to produce this crucial hormone.
Read more
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Simple lifestyle changes and treatments that can restore hormonal balance and improve your reproductive health.
Read more
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Decode your hormone test numbers and know exactly what your progesterone levels mean for your wellbeing.
Read more
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
Low Progesterone: Low progesterone is like having a foundation that's not strong enough to support what you're trying to build—your body can't maintain the stable conditions needed for pregnancy or regular menstrual cycles. You might experience irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or miscarriages in early pregnancy. These problems occur because your uterine lining can't develop properly or maintain itself without adequate progesterone.
Low progesterone often reveals itself through frustrating symptoms that seem unrelated. You might have mood swings, anxiety, or depression, particularly in the weeks before your period. Sleep problems, breast tenderness, and bloating can also signal that your progesterone levels aren't where they should be.
This hormone deficiency can indicate more serious underlying conditions, particularly in women trying to conceive. Whilst some women naturally produce less progesterone, persistently low levels might suggest problems with ovulation, thyroid disorders, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that need medical attention.
High Progesterone: High progesterone levels are less common but can occur during pregnancy (which is normal) or due to ovarian cysts, tumours, or hormone treatments. When progesterone is too high outside of pregnancy, it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and mood changes. It's like having too much of a good thing—the hormone that should make you feel calm and stable instead makes you feel sluggish and unwell.
Symptoms of high progesterone include excessive fatigue, bloating, weight gain, and changes in appetite. Some women describe feeling "sluggish" or unusually sleepy, particularly if progesterone levels spike suddenly due to ovarian cysts or hormone supplementation.
High progesterone can indicate underlying conditions such as ovarian cysts, adrenal gland problems, or rare hormone-producing tumours. In women taking progesterone supplements, high levels might simply mean the dose needs adjusting.
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
Low Progesterone: Low progesterone is like having a foundation that's not strong enough to support what you're trying to build—your body can't maintain the stable conditions needed for pregnancy or regular menstrual cycles. You might experience irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or miscarriages in early pregnancy. These problems occur because your uterine lining can't develop properly or maintain itself without adequate progesterone.
Low progesterone often reveals itself through frustrating symptoms that seem unrelated. You might have mood swings, anxiety, or depression, particularly in the weeks before your period. Sleep problems, breast tenderness, and bloating can also signal that your progesterone levels aren't where they should be.
This hormone deficiency can indicate more serious underlying conditions, particularly in women trying to conceive. Whilst some women naturally produce less progesterone, persistently low levels might suggest problems with ovulation, thyroid disorders, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that need medical attention.
High Progesterone: High progesterone levels are less common but can occur during pregnancy (which is normal) or due to ovarian cysts, tumours, or hormone treatments. When progesterone is too high outside of pregnancy, it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and mood changes. It's like having too much of a good thing—the hormone that should make you feel calm and stable instead makes you feel sluggish and unwell.
Symptoms of high progesterone include excessive fatigue, bloating, weight gain, and changes in appetite. Some women describe feeling "sluggish" or unusually sleepy, particularly if progesterone levels spike suddenly due to ovarian cysts or hormone supplementation.
High progesterone can indicate underlying conditions such as ovarian cysts, adrenal gland problems, or rare hormone-producing tumours. In women taking progesterone supplements, high levels might simply mean the dose needs adjusting.
When Progesterone Levels Go Wrong
Low Progesterone: Low progesterone is like having a foundation that's not strong enough to support what you're trying to build—your body can't maintain the stable conditions needed for pregnancy or regular menstrual cycles. You might experience irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or miscarriages in early pregnancy. These problems occur because your uterine lining can't develop properly or maintain itself without adequate progesterone.
Low progesterone often reveals itself through frustrating symptoms that seem unrelated. You might have mood swings, anxiety, or depression, particularly in the weeks before your period. Sleep problems, breast tenderness, and bloating can also signal that your progesterone levels aren't where they should be.
This hormone deficiency can indicate more serious underlying conditions, particularly in women trying to conceive. Whilst some women naturally produce less progesterone, persistently low levels might suggest problems with ovulation, thyroid disorders, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that need medical attention.
High Progesterone: High progesterone levels are less common but can occur during pregnancy (which is normal) or due to ovarian cysts, tumours, or hormone treatments. When progesterone is too high outside of pregnancy, it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and mood changes. It's like having too much of a good thing—the hormone that should make you feel calm and stable instead makes you feel sluggish and unwell.
Symptoms of high progesterone include excessive fatigue, bloating, weight gain, and changes in appetite. Some women describe feeling "sluggish" or unusually sleepy, particularly if progesterone levels spike suddenly due to ovarian cysts or hormone supplementation.
High progesterone can indicate underlying conditions such as ovarian cysts, adrenal gland problems, or rare hormone-producing tumours. In women taking progesterone supplements, high levels might simply mean the dose needs adjusting.
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
Causes of Low Progesterone: Chronic stress acts like a progesterone thief, diverting your body's hormone production towards stress hormones instead. Poor ovulation means less progesterone is produced, whilst thyroid problems, excessive exercise, and being significantly underweight can all suppress progesterone production. Age also plays a role—progesterone naturally declines as you approach menopause.
Your body prioritises survival over reproduction, so when you're under constant stress, it redirects resources away from progesterone production. This explains why women with high-stress lifestyles often experience irregular periods and fertility problems that seem unrelated to their reproductive health.
Causes of High Progesterone: Pregnancy is the most common cause of elevated progesterone, but ovarian cysts can also boost levels. Hormone replacement therapy, progesterone supplements, and certain medications can artificially raise progesterone levels. Rarely, tumours in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause excessive progesterone production.
Lifestyle Factors: Your daily habits can significantly impact progesterone production. Regular, moderate exercise supports healthy hormone levels, whilst excessive training can suppress production. Adequate sleep is crucial—your body produces many hormones during sleep, and chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt progesterone levels.
Nutrition plays a supporting role too. Your body needs specific nutrients to produce progesterone, including vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc. A diet lacking these nutrients can limit your body's ability to maintain healthy progesterone levels.
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
Causes of Low Progesterone: Chronic stress acts like a progesterone thief, diverting your body's hormone production towards stress hormones instead. Poor ovulation means less progesterone is produced, whilst thyroid problems, excessive exercise, and being significantly underweight can all suppress progesterone production. Age also plays a role—progesterone naturally declines as you approach menopause.
Your body prioritises survival over reproduction, so when you're under constant stress, it redirects resources away from progesterone production. This explains why women with high-stress lifestyles often experience irregular periods and fertility problems that seem unrelated to their reproductive health.
Causes of High Progesterone: Pregnancy is the most common cause of elevated progesterone, but ovarian cysts can also boost levels. Hormone replacement therapy, progesterone supplements, and certain medications can artificially raise progesterone levels. Rarely, tumours in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause excessive progesterone production.
Lifestyle Factors: Your daily habits can significantly impact progesterone production. Regular, moderate exercise supports healthy hormone levels, whilst excessive training can suppress production. Adequate sleep is crucial—your body produces many hormones during sleep, and chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt progesterone levels.
Nutrition plays a supporting role too. Your body needs specific nutrients to produce progesterone, including vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc. A diet lacking these nutrients can limit your body's ability to maintain healthy progesterone levels.
What Affects Your Progesterone Production
Causes of Low Progesterone: Chronic stress acts like a progesterone thief, diverting your body's hormone production towards stress hormones instead. Poor ovulation means less progesterone is produced, whilst thyroid problems, excessive exercise, and being significantly underweight can all suppress progesterone production. Age also plays a role—progesterone naturally declines as you approach menopause.
Your body prioritises survival over reproduction, so when you're under constant stress, it redirects resources away from progesterone production. This explains why women with high-stress lifestyles often experience irregular periods and fertility problems that seem unrelated to their reproductive health.
Causes of High Progesterone: Pregnancy is the most common cause of elevated progesterone, but ovarian cysts can also boost levels. Hormone replacement therapy, progesterone supplements, and certain medications can artificially raise progesterone levels. Rarely, tumours in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause excessive progesterone production.
Lifestyle Factors: Your daily habits can significantly impact progesterone production. Regular, moderate exercise supports healthy hormone levels, whilst excessive training can suppress production. Adequate sleep is crucial—your body produces many hormones during sleep, and chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt progesterone levels.
Nutrition plays a supporting role too. Your body needs specific nutrients to produce progesterone, including vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc. A diet lacking these nutrients can limit your body's ability to maintain healthy progesterone levels.
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Managing Low Progesterone: Treatment often focuses on supporting your body's natural progesterone production. This may include stress management techniques like meditation or yoga, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight. Your doctor might recommend progesterone supplements, particularly if you're trying to conceive or experiencing recurrent miscarriages.
Addressing underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or PCOS can also help restore normal progesterone levels. It's like fixing the foundation of a house—once the underlying problem is resolved, progesterone production often improves naturally.
Lifestyle changes can be remarkably effective for mild progesterone deficiencies. Regular exercise, stress reduction, and ensuring adequate nutrition can help your body produce optimal progesterone levels without medication.
Managing High Progesterone: Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If you're taking progesterone supplements, your doctor may adjust the dose. Ovarian cysts might need monitoring or treatment, whilst hormone-producing tumours may require surgical removal.
Lifestyle changes like reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight can help support overall hormonal balance, even when progesterone levels are elevated due to medical conditions.
Natural Support Strategies: Certain lifestyle approaches can help optimise progesterone production naturally. Regular sleep schedules, stress management, moderate exercise, and a balanced diet rich in healthy fats and nutrients can all support your body's hormone production systems.
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Managing Low Progesterone: Treatment often focuses on supporting your body's natural progesterone production. This may include stress management techniques like meditation or yoga, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight. Your doctor might recommend progesterone supplements, particularly if you're trying to conceive or experiencing recurrent miscarriages.
Addressing underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or PCOS can also help restore normal progesterone levels. It's like fixing the foundation of a house—once the underlying problem is resolved, progesterone production often improves naturally.
Lifestyle changes can be remarkably effective for mild progesterone deficiencies. Regular exercise, stress reduction, and ensuring adequate nutrition can help your body produce optimal progesterone levels without medication.
Managing High Progesterone: Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If you're taking progesterone supplements, your doctor may adjust the dose. Ovarian cysts might need monitoring or treatment, whilst hormone-producing tumours may require surgical removal.
Lifestyle changes like reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight can help support overall hormonal balance, even when progesterone levels are elevated due to medical conditions.
Natural Support Strategies: Certain lifestyle approaches can help optimise progesterone production naturally. Regular sleep schedules, stress management, moderate exercise, and a balanced diet rich in healthy fats and nutrients can all support your body's hormone production systems.
Managing Progesterone Imbalances
Managing Low Progesterone: Treatment often focuses on supporting your body's natural progesterone production. This may include stress management techniques like meditation or yoga, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight. Your doctor might recommend progesterone supplements, particularly if you're trying to conceive or experiencing recurrent miscarriages.
Addressing underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or PCOS can also help restore normal progesterone levels. It's like fixing the foundation of a house—once the underlying problem is resolved, progesterone production often improves naturally.
Lifestyle changes can be remarkably effective for mild progesterone deficiencies. Regular exercise, stress reduction, and ensuring adequate nutrition can help your body produce optimal progesterone levels without medication.
Managing High Progesterone: Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If you're taking progesterone supplements, your doctor may adjust the dose. Ovarian cysts might need monitoring or treatment, whilst hormone-producing tumours may require surgical removal.
Lifestyle changes like reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight can help support overall hormonal balance, even when progesterone levels are elevated due to medical conditions.
Natural Support Strategies: Certain lifestyle approaches can help optimise progesterone production naturally. Regular sleep schedules, stress management, moderate exercise, and a balanced diet rich in healthy fats and nutrients can all support your body's hormone production systems.
Understanding Your Results
Progesterone levels are measured in nmol/L and vary dramatically depending on your reproductive status and cycle timing. Understanding these ranges helps you know whether your pregnancy protector is working properly:
Normal range in women:
Follicular phase (before ovulation): Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Luteal phase (after ovulation): 16-64 nmol/L
Postmenopausal: Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Pregnancy: 32-286 nmol/L depending on stage
Your progesterone levels tell the story of where you are in your reproductive journey and whether your body is creating the right conditions for each phase.
Clinical Context: Your doctor won't interpret progesterone results in isolation. They'll consider your symptoms, medical history, other hormone levels, and cycle patterns to create a complete picture of your reproductive health. It's like assembling a puzzle—one piece alone doesn't reveal the full story.
If your results are abnormal, your doctor might recommend repeat testing, additional hormone assessments, or further investigations to determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Understanding Your Results
Progesterone levels are measured in nmol/L and vary dramatically depending on your reproductive status and cycle timing. Understanding these ranges helps you know whether your pregnancy protector is working properly:
Normal range in women:
Follicular phase (before ovulation): Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Luteal phase (after ovulation): 16-64 nmol/L
Postmenopausal: Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Pregnancy: 32-286 nmol/L depending on stage
Your progesterone levels tell the story of where you are in your reproductive journey and whether your body is creating the right conditions for each phase.
Clinical Context: Your doctor won't interpret progesterone results in isolation. They'll consider your symptoms, medical history, other hormone levels, and cycle patterns to create a complete picture of your reproductive health. It's like assembling a puzzle—one piece alone doesn't reveal the full story.
If your results are abnormal, your doctor might recommend repeat testing, additional hormone assessments, or further investigations to determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Understanding Your Results
Progesterone levels are measured in nmol/L and vary dramatically depending on your reproductive status and cycle timing. Understanding these ranges helps you know whether your pregnancy protector is working properly:
Normal range in women:
Follicular phase (before ovulation): Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Luteal phase (after ovulation): 16-64 nmol/L
Postmenopausal: Less than 3.2 nmol/L
Pregnancy: 32-286 nmol/L depending on stage
Your progesterone levels tell the story of where you are in your reproductive journey and whether your body is creating the right conditions for each phase.
Clinical Context: Your doctor won't interpret progesterone results in isolation. They'll consider your symptoms, medical history, other hormone levels, and cycle patterns to create a complete picture of your reproductive health. It's like assembling a puzzle—one piece alone doesn't reveal the full story.
If your results are abnormal, your doctor might recommend repeat testing, additional hormone assessments, or further investigations to determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
The Takeaway
Progesterone levels provide important information about your reproductive health and menstrual cycle function. Both low and high levels can affect your fertility, menstrual regularity, and overall wellbeing, but most progesterone imbalances are treatable once properly identified.
If you're experiencing irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, or mood changes that seem tied to your menstrual cycle, this could be your body's way of signalling that your progesterone levels need attention. These symptoms aren't just something you have to live with—they could be your hormones telling you something important about your health.
A simple blood test can determine whether your progesterone levels are supporting your reproductive health properly and guide appropriate treatment if needed. Don't ignore persistent menstrual irregularities or fertility problems, assuming they're just part of being a woman. One small test can give you clarity on what your body needs to function at its best and help you take control of your hormonal wellbeing.
The Takeaway
Progesterone levels provide important information about your reproductive health and menstrual cycle function. Both low and high levels can affect your fertility, menstrual regularity, and overall wellbeing, but most progesterone imbalances are treatable once properly identified.
If you're experiencing irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, or mood changes that seem tied to your menstrual cycle, this could be your body's way of signalling that your progesterone levels need attention. These symptoms aren't just something you have to live with—they could be your hormones telling you something important about your health.
A simple blood test can determine whether your progesterone levels are supporting your reproductive health properly and guide appropriate treatment if needed. Don't ignore persistent menstrual irregularities or fertility problems, assuming they're just part of being a woman. One small test can give you clarity on what your body needs to function at its best and help you take control of your hormonal wellbeing.
The Takeaway
Progesterone levels provide important information about your reproductive health and menstrual cycle function. Both low and high levels can affect your fertility, menstrual regularity, and overall wellbeing, but most progesterone imbalances are treatable once properly identified.
If you're experiencing irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, or mood changes that seem tied to your menstrual cycle, this could be your body's way of signalling that your progesterone levels need attention. These symptoms aren't just something you have to live with—they could be your hormones telling you something important about your health.
A simple blood test can determine whether your progesterone levels are supporting your reproductive health properly and guide appropriate treatment if needed. Don't ignore persistent menstrual irregularities or fertility problems, assuming they're just part of being a woman. One small test can give you clarity on what your body needs to function at its best and help you take control of your hormonal wellbeing.
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019). Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. NICE Clinical Guideline.
British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. (2020). Progesterone and reproductive health. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Luteal phase deficiency and progesterone supplementation. Obstetrics & Gynecology.
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019). Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. NICE Clinical Guideline.
British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. (2020). Progesterone and reproductive health. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Luteal phase deficiency and progesterone supplementation. Obstetrics & Gynecology.
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019). Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. NICE Clinical Guideline.
British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. (2020). Progesterone and reproductive health. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Luteal phase deficiency and progesterone supplementation. Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Research articles
Research articles
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