My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Women's Health

Email a Friend

Print Article

Women's Health Trends:

Women's Health

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Progesterone

(continued)

How It Feels

You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Some people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. But many people do not feel any pain or have only minor discomfort once the needle is positioned in the vein.

Risks

There is very little risk of complications from having blood drawn from a vein.

You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes after the needle is withdrawn.
In rare cases, the vein may become inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times daily.
Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can also make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your doctor before your blood is drawn.

Results

A progesterone test measures the amount of the hormone progesterone in a blood sample.

Results are usually available within 24 hours.

Normal

The normal values listed here-called a reference range-are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.

**Progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle**¹
Days 1-14:	Less than 1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) or 0.5-2.3 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L)
Days 15-28:	2-25 ng/mL or 6.4-79.5 nmol/L

**Progesterone levels during pregnancy**¹
1st trimester:	10-44 ng/mL or 32.6-140 nmol/L
2nd trimester:	19.5-82.5 ng/mL or 62-262 nmol/L
3rd trimester:	65-290 ng/mL or 206.7-728 nmol/L

**Progesterone levels in men**¹
Normal:	Less than 1 ng/mL or less than 3.2 nmol/L

**Progesterone levels after menopause**²
Normal:	Less than 1.0 ng/mL or less than 2 nmol/L

Many conditions can change progesterone levels. Your doctor will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and past health.

High values

High progesterone values may be caused by:

Pregnancy.
Cancer of the ovaries or adrenal glands.
A molar pregnancy.
Overproduction of hormones by the adrenal glands.

Low values

Low progesterone values may be caused by:

Problems with ovulation.
Possible miscarriage.

< Previous Page

1|2|3

Next Page >

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 18, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.