Progesterone Test
Reviewed
A progesterone test measures the level of progesterone in a blood sample. Progesterone is a hormone made mainly by the ovaries that prepares the uterus for pregnancy and helps maintain a healthy pregnancy. The test is used to evaluate ovulation, fertility treatment response, pregnancy health, risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, abnormal uterine bleeding, and certain ovarian or adrenal gland disorders.
Preparation and collection
You usually don't need any special preparation. In certain cases, you may need to know the first day of your last menstrual period. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before the test. Never stop taking medicine unless your provider tells you.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Progesterone levels change throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, so you may need to be tested several times.
- Results must be interpreted in the context of your menstrual cycle timing, pregnancy status, and clinical history.
- This test alone does not diagnose all conditions; further testing and clinical evaluation are often needed.
What to do next
Your provider can explain what your test results say about your health and recommend any necessary follow-up.