P4

Female sex hormone

Progesterone

Progesterone is a female sex hormone that occurs naturally in the body and is important for the female reproductive system. It is produced mainly in the ovaries of the ovulatory cycle and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone prepares the uterus for possible pregnancy by thickening its lining and reducing its contractile activity. If fertilization does not occur, the production of progesterone decreases, which starts the menstrual cycle. If conception does occur, however, progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy by preventing further ovulation and reducing the risk of miscarriage.

Progesterone also has other functions in the body, such as regulating sleep and mood, as well as affecting the health of the skin.

Why analyze progesterone?

Progesterone can be analyzed for various reasons, usually to assess ovulation, monitor pregnancy or investigate hormonal disorders.

A common reason for analyzing progesterone is to assess whether ovulation has occurred. Progesterone levels rise after ovulation and remain high for the second half of the menstrual cycle. By measuring progesterone in the blood or in the urine, one can determine if ovulation has occurred and when it has occurred. This can be useful for couples trying to conceive, and to investigate anovulation (absence of ovulation).

During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise further and are often used to monitor pregnancy progress and ensure progesterone production is high enough to support a healthy pregnancy. Low levels of progesterone during pregnancy may indicate a higher risk of miscarriage or other complications, while high levels may indicate a possible pregnancy complication such as a cloudy pregnancy.

Progesterone can also be analyzed to investigate hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis or infertility. By measuring progesterone together with other hormones, such as estradiol (estrogen), doctors can assess the hormone balance.

What can a low level of progesterone mean?

A low level of progesterone can mean different things depending on the circumstances. Some of the most common causes of a low level of progesterone include:

  • Anovulation: If you do not ovulate, the production of progesterone in your body decreases. This can result in low levels of progesterone during your menstrual cycle.
  • Threatened miscarriage: Low levels of progesterone during a pregnancy may indicate a higher risk of miscarriage or a cloudy pregnancy.
  • Luteal phase insufficiency: This happens when the body does not produce enough progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation, which can cause infertility or prevent a normal pregnancy.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS often have low levels of progesterone due to irregular ovulation and hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms of low progesterone levels

The symptoms of low levels of progesterone can vary depending on the cause. The most common symptoms include irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, menstrual pain, PMS symptoms, and mood swings.

What can a high level of progesterone mean?

  • A high level of progesterone can also mean different things depending on the circumstances. Some of the most common causes of a high level of progesterone include:
  • Pregnancy: During a normal pregnancy, the production of progesterone increases in the body, which can lead to high levels.
  • Corpus luteum cyst: A cyst can form on the ovary after ovulation and cause high levels of progesterone.
  • Estrogen deficiency: If the body does not produce enough estrogen, it can lead to high levels of progesterone as a compensatory mechanism.
  • Adrenal tumor: A tumor on the adrenal glands can cause high levels of progesterone and other hormones.

Symptoms of high levels of progesterone

The symptoms of high levels of progesterone can also vary depending on the cause. The most common symptoms include irregular periods, enlarged breasts, acne, weight gain, mood swings and fatigue.

Reference range - progesterone

Women:

  • Follicle phase: < 4.5 nmol/L
  • Luteal phase: 11 - 81 nmol/L
  • Postmenopause: < 2.3 nmol/L

Men:

  • 0.9 - 3.9 nmol/L

Tests containing the marker Progesterone

Hormone tests
P4
Sex hormone - Progesterone test

Progesterone

  • Analysis of your progesterone levels.
  • Get more insight into your progesterone production.
  • Identify possible infertility and hormonal balance.

99 kr

Health checks
Hormone test estrogen and progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone

2 Biomarkers
Blood sample
How does the blood test take place?
Sampling for this test is done via a venous blood sample. The sample is usually taken from a vein in the crook of the elbow and is performed by trained healthcare professionals. How much blood you are allowed to give depends on the number of health markers to be analyzed. The sampling usually takes a few minutes.
  • Measuring your estrogen levels.
  • Measuring your progesterone levels.
  • The value can be used when assessing hormonal imbalance.

225 kr

Health check - Female

Woman

50 Biomarkers
Blood sample
How does the blood test take place?
Sampling for this test is done via a venous blood sample. The sample is usually taken from a vein in the crook of the elbow and is performed by trained healthcare professionals. How much blood you are allowed to give depends on the number of health markers to be analyzed. The sampling usually takes a few minutes.
Fasting
Fasting

This test requires you to fast before sampling. Fasting means that you are not allowed to eat or drink anything for at least 10 hours before your scheduled time for sampling. However, a glass of water is fine to drink during the fast. Any medications are taken as usual unless your doctor has given other instructions.

  • Health check designed for women.
  • Includes a total of 50 health markers.
  • Gives you information about your overall health.
  • Can identify early signs of health problems.

1795 kr