Progesterone
Routine annualalso —
What it isProgesterone is the dominant hormone of the luteal phase after ovulation. The corpus luteum makes it from the collapsed ovarian follicle; the placenta later takes over during pregnancy.
DoesPrepares the endometrium for implantation, supports early pregnancy, balances estrogen, promotes calm and sleep, supports thyroid.
GoodHigh mid-luteal progesterone confirms ovulation and predicts a fertile cycle.
BadLow luteal progesterone signals anovulation or luteal phase defect — common in PCOS, perimenopause, hypothalamic amenorrhea — and tracks heavy bleeding, mood instability, and infertility.
- Standard
- Follicular <1 ng/mL; mid-luteal 5–20 ng/mL.
- Optimal
- 12–20 ng/mL mid-luteal (higher is good within range)
- Modifiers
- Pulsatile release means a single reading can be misleading; time test to 7 days after ovulation.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Stress management, sleep, adequate calories, avoid overtraining, address insulin resistance in PCOS.
- Diet
- Adequate calories and carbohydrates; B vitamins; magnesium.
- Supplements
- Vitex (chasteberry, 400mg/day), vitamin B6 (P5P 25–50mg/day), magnesium glycinate (300mg/day), vitamin C (500mg 2×/day).
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- Bioidentical progesterone (oral or vaginal) for HRT, luteal phase support, perimenopause; medroxyprogesterone acetate.
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Women's Hormones