Patient education: Progesterone test (The Basics)

What is a progesterone test? — 

This is a test to check the amount of progesterone in the body.

In females, progesterone is a hormone made by the ovaries. It helps prepare the body for pregnancy. Progesterone levels change from day to day.

Why might I get a progesterone test? — 

The main reason doctors order this test is to learn if you recently ovulated. Ovulation is when 1 of the ovaries releases an egg, about once a month.

When the test is done about a week before you expect to get your next period, the results can show if you have ovulated. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, this and other tests can help your doctor figure out the cause.

A progesterone blood test can be done for other reasons, too. For example, it is sometimes done for people who want to get pregnant and have certain conditions that affect their hormone levels.

How do I prepare for a progesterone test? — 

You need to get a "blood draw." Your doctor or nurse will tell you where to go for this.

It might help to wear a short-sleeve shirt to your blood draw appointment. This makes it easier for the person drawing your blood to get to your arm.

What happens during a progesterone test? — 

A needle is used to take a small amount of blood from your arm (figure 1). Collecting the blood only takes a few minutes. The blood is then tested in a lab.

Tell the person who takes your blood:

●If you take "blood thinner" medicines or have a bleeding problem – They will make sure your bleeding is under control before you leave.

●If you have a latex allergy – Some of the supplies used for blood draws might contain latex.

●If you have a preferred arm to use

Most of the time, getting blood taken does not cause problems. You might have a little soreness or bruising where the needle went in.

What do my results mean? — 

Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your results, and will contact you with the results. Or if you use an online "patient portal," you might get an alert there when your results are ready.

If your progesterone test shows any abnormal results, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to do next. They might need to do more tests to figure out the cause.

If you do have a health problem, your doctor will work with you to come up with a treatment plan.

More on this topic

Patient education: Female infertility (The Basics)
Patient education: Infertility in couples (The Basics)

Patient education: Evaluation of infertility in couples (Beyond the Basics)