Progesterone

Routine annual

also —

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.

within Women's Hormones