What is progesterone?
Progesterone is an important hormone, especially for women. It interacts with other hormones and affects fertility, metabolism, mood, and brain function. Low progesterone can result in a relatively higher amount of estrogen to progesterone, often referred to as ‘progesterone deficiency and estrogen excess’. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, weight gain, tender breasts, moodiness, mental and physical fatigue, and miscarriage. In men, deficiency is associated with hair loss and prostate cancer. Falling levels are normal as we age.
For a more in-depth view of progesterone as well as other sex hormones and their metabolites, stress hormones and their metabolites, and melatonin, we recommend a dried urine (Dutch) test.
Why test progesterone?
Testing progesterone can help to diagnose problems related to reproductive health and menstrual regulation. If a miscarriage is suspected, a progesterone test can help confirm the diagnosis. Women experiencing menstrual problems, such as irregular periods, amenorrhea, headaches, mood swings, pain, sleep issues, sore breasts, and food cravings around the time of their period, can benefit from this test to identify underlying hormonal imbalances. Additionally, testing progesterone on day 21 of the menstrual cycle can determine if ovulation has occurred, which is crucial for those monitoring their fertility.
What does the result mean?
The results of progesterone tests need to be interpreted in the context of the reason for testing and the day of the woman’s menstrual cycle or stage of pregnancy. Progesterone usually rises around ovulation and for a few days afterwards. It continues to increase with pregnancy or drops to initiate menstruation.
If progesterone levels do not rise and fall, a woman may not be ovulating or having periods. This may cause infertility.
What causes low progesterone?
Several things can cause low progesterone, including decreased ovarian function, amenorrhea, ectopic pregnancy, and recent/ongoing miscarriage. Progesterone is made from cholesterol which is converted into another substance called pregnenolone in the cells and then into progesterone. Pregnenolone and progesterone can alternatively be converted into stress hormones, estrogen, and androgens, otherwise known as male sex hormones. Factors including stress/perceived stress, abnormal hormone levels, and ageing can all shift these pathways out of balance. Several things can cause low progesterone, including exercise, ageing, obesity, and menopause.
Symptoms of low progesterone
Low progesterone levels can cause a range of symptoms, including irregular or missed menstrual cycles, spotting, and heavy bleeding. Women may also experience mood swings, increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, breast tenderness, frequent headaches or migraines, low libido, weight gain around the abdomen, infertility, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms underscore the importance of diagnosing and managing low progesterone levels to maintain reproductive health and overall well-being.
What causes high progesterone?
Ovarian cysts, non-viable pregnancy, overproduction of progesterone, and some health conditions can increase progesterone.
Symptoms of high progesterone
High progesterone levels can cause various symptoms due to its effects on the body. These symptoms include persistent fatigue and low energy, abdominal bloating and discomfort, breast tenderness or swelling, and mood swings such as increased irritability, anxiety, or depression. Frequent headaches or migraines, dizziness, and weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, are also common.
More information
Progesterone levels will rise during pregnancies of multiples (e.g., twins). Taking hormones can affect the results of this test. High progesterone can also be caused by stress, caffeine, and smoking. Symptoms include low sex drive, feeling stressed, heavy periods, and depression.
Preparations for this test
Do not do this test if you are taking hormonal contraceptives, as they will render the results inaccurate.
On the day of the test
Always take I.D. with you when going to take a test. If you are a menstruating woman, make a note of the day of your cycle on the day of the test. This may be helpful later. Arrive early and sit down quietly for 15 minutes before the test is taken.