Navigate Tests : Select Test or Panel Category Most Popular Tests Drug Screen STD and HIV Tests Male Tests Female Tests Wellness Tests Paternity Tests $49 Tests Employer Solutions All Tests
Progesterone can be measured to determine whether or not a woman has ovulated, to determine when ovulation occurred, and to monitor the success of induced ovulation.
Since progesterone levels vary predictably throughout the menstrual cycle, multiple measurements can be used to help recognize and manage some causes of infertility.
In early pregnancy, progesterone measurements may be used, along with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing, to help diagnose an ectopic or failing pregnancy. In this case, progesterone levels will be lower than expected, although this will not differentiate between the two conditions.
Progesterone levels also may be measured throughout a high-risk pregnancy to help evaluate placenta and fetal health. Progesterone levels may be monitored in women who have trouble maintaining a pregnancy, as low levels of the hormone can lead to miscarriage. If a woman is receiving progesterone injections to help support her early pregnancy, her progesterone levels may be monitored on a regular basis to help determine the effectiveness of that treatment. In women who are not pregnant, progesterone levels may be used, along with other tests, to help determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.