What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a vital hormone that plays a central role in reproductive and hormonal health—especially in women. It is primarily produced by the ovaries after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle, and it helps prepare the body for a potential pregnancy. In smaller amounts, it’s also produced by the adrenal glands in both men and women, and by the placenta during pregnancy.
Progesterone works in balance with estrogen to regulate your menstrual cycle, support mood, maintain uterine lining stability, and prevent estrogen from becoming dominant. In pregnancy, it helps support the early development of the embryo and maintains the uterine environment needed to carry a baby to term.
Why This Test Matters
The NutriStat Hormone Health Panel is designed to assess the full spectrum of hormonal balance, and progesterone is a cornerstone of that assessment. Whether you are dealing with irregular cycles, fertility issues, perimenopausal symptoms, or chronic fatigue, measuring progesterone can reveal critical insights about your hormonal state.
Interpreting Your Progesterone Results
Low Progesterone
Low levels of progesterone can lead to a wide range of symptoms and issues, including:
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Irregular or missed periods
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PMS, mood swings, or anxiety
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Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
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Infertility or difficulty maintaining pregnancy
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Spotting between periods
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Estrogen dominance symptoms (e.g., breast tenderness, weight gain around hips, fibroids)
Low progesterone is especially common in women who are not ovulating regularly, which can happen during perimenopause, after discontinuing hormonal birth control, or due to chronic stress, under-eating, or certain medical conditions like PCOS.
High Progesterone
Elevated progesterone levels are less common but can occur in cases such as:
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Pregnancy (especially after the first trimester)
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Progesterone supplementation or hormone therapy
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Certain ovarian cysts or tumors
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Adrenal gland disorders (e.g., congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
In non-pregnant individuals, high levels without a clear cause should be evaluated further, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, or mood changes.
When is Progesterone Measured?
In menstruating women, progesterone is ideally measured in the luteal phase—about 5 to 7 days after ovulation—when levels should naturally rise. If you’re unsure about your cycle timing, the NutriStat panel or your provider may help determine the best testing window.
What Should I Do if My Progesterone is Out of Range?
Abnormal progesterone levels don’t always mean something is wrong, but they can indicate that your hormones are out of balance. If your levels are low, your healthcare provider may suggest:
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Cycle tracking and ovulation support
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Nutritional or lifestyle changes (like managing stress or supporting adrenal health)
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Bioidentical progesterone therapy or other hormone-balancing treatments
If levels are high and you’re not pregnant or on hormone therapy, further testing may be needed to rule out underlying conditions.
Takeaway
Progesterone is essential for reproductive health, hormone balance, and emotional well-being. When levels are off, it can affect everything from your period and fertility to your energy and mood. The NutriStat Hormone Health Panel helps identify these imbalances, giving you and your provider the information needed to take action toward better hormonal health.
What does it mean if your PROGESTERONE result is too high?
Elevated Progesterone in Women
In women, elevated progesterone is most commonly associated with:
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Normal Luteal Phase: Progesterone naturally rises after ovulation in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Elevated levels during this time are expected and healthy.
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Pregnancy: Progesterone increases significantly during pregnancy to maintain the uterine lining and support fetal development.
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Hormone Therapy or Supplementation: Use of bioidentical progesterone or hormonal contraceptives can raise levels.
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Ovarian Cysts or Tumors: Certain functional ovarian cysts (like corpus luteum cysts) or rare hormone-producing tumors can increase progesterone.
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Adrenal Disorders: Overproduction by the adrenal glands, such as in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, may raise progesterone.
Symptoms (if levels are abnormally high): bloating, fatigue, drowsiness, mood swings, or breast tenderness.
Elevated Progesterone in Men
Men naturally produce low amounts of progesterone, which helps regulate testosterone levels and supports sperm development.
Elevated progesterone in men may be linked to:
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Hormonal Therapy or Exposure: Use of progesterone creams, supplements, or medications (especially in gender-affirming therapy or for prostate conditions) can increase levels.
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Adrenal Overactivity: Conditions affecting adrenal hormone production (e.g., adrenal tumors or congenital adrenal hyperplasia).
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Testicular Disorders: Rarely, testicular tumors or damage may alter hormone balance.
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Liver Impairment: The liver helps metabolize hormones; dysfunction can lead to accumulation.
Symptoms in Men may include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, or mood changes if progesterone is significantly elevated and disrupts the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio.
When to Seek Evaluation
Slight elevations may be normal depending on the context (e.g., luteal phase, supplementation, or pregnancy). However, unexplained or persistently high levels—especially with symptoms—warrant follow-up testing and a review with your healthcare provider.
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