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Progesterone Test
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Progesterone Test

A progesterone test measures the level of this vital hormone in your blood to evaluate fertility, pregnancy health, and certain hormonal conditions.

What is a progesterone test?

A progesterone test measures the level of progesterone in a sample of your blood. Progesterone is a hormone made mainly by the ovaries. Each month, progesterone prepares your uterus for pregnancy. If you don't become pregnant, your progesterone levels fall and your menstrual period begins. If you become pregnant, progesterone levels rise to support the pregnancy by helping the fertilized egg attach, preventing the immune system from attacking the egg, and preventing pre-term labor.

Once the placenta is fully formed, it will make much of the progesterone you need for a healthy pregnancy.

Other names: serum progesterone, progesterone blood test, PGSN.

What is it used for?

A progesterone test can help show whether low levels are causing female infertility or problems during pregnancy. It may also be used to:

  • Check if fertility treatments are working.
  • Find out your risk of a miscarriage.
  • Diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Check the health of you and your fetus during a high-risk pregnancy.
  • Diagnose ovarian cancer or problems with your adrenal glands.
  • Diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Why do I need a progesterone test?

You may need a progesterone test if you are having trouble getting pregnant, are undergoing fertility treatments, or are experiencing abnormal bleeding. You may also need it if you have signs of low progesterone (irregular periods, hot flashes, trouble sleeping) or high progesterone (vaginal dryness, bloating). During pregnancy, it may be used if you have a higher risk for miscarriage or are showing signs of pregnancy complications.

What happens during a progesterone test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What do the results mean?

High progesterone levels:

  • When not pregnant: May be linked to ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, or adrenal gland problems.
  • When pregnant: Higher than expected levels may mean you are having two or more babies. High levels may also be a sign of a molar pregnancy.

Low progesterone levels:

  • When not pregnant: May be linked to ovulation issues, amenorrhea, PCOS, high stress, perimenopause, or low cholesterol.
  • When pregnant: May be linked to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or high risk of miscarriage, or pre-eclampsia.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Because progesterone levels change throughout your pregnancy and menstrual cycle, you may need to be tested several times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Progesterone is essential for maintaining the uterine lining and preventing early labor. In early pregnancy, a serum progesterone level below about 10–12 ng/mL (varies by lab) on day 10–12 after conception is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage. If your level is low, your provider may recommend supplemental progesterone therapy (oral, vaginal, or injectable) to support the pregnancy and reduce miscarriage risk.
The most informative time is around day 21 of a typical 28‑day cycle, which is roughly 7 days after ovulation. This timing captures the peak of progesterone production by the corpus luteum, allowing clinicians to assess whether progesterone levels are adequate to support implantation and early pregnancy. If your cycle is shorter or longer, your provider will adjust the test day accordingly, often using ultrasound or LH surge testing to pinpoint ovulation.
low level indicates that the corpus luteum or placenta may not be producing enough hormone to sustain the pregnancy. Treatment options include progesterone supplementation, which can be given orally, vaginally, or intramuscularly, depending on the situation. Your provider will monitor levels and clinical response, adjusting dosage or route as needed.
While a very low progesterone level can raise suspicion for an ectopic pregnancy, it is not definitive. Ectopic pregnancies often have lower progesterone than viable intrauterine pregnancies, but overlap exists. The test is used in conjunction with ultrasound and hCG trends; a low progesterone combined with a rising hCG that is not doubling appropriately and a negative or abnormal ultrasound is more suggestive of ectopic pregnancy.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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