Progesterone tests are blood tests that measure the levels of a hormone, called “progesterone.” They can be used to determine the health of pregnant women and help them support their fertilized eggs. This hormone assists the mother’s breasts to produce milk.
This hormone also helps women control their periods. The hormone levels rise every month once a woman ovulates and the ovum is fertilized. Progesterone triggers periods when the ovum has not been fertilized. When you become pregnant, your progesterone levels will rise to approximately ten times the normal level. We will discuss the use of the test, the procedure and how to interpret the progesterone results.
The Benefits of a Progesterone Test
Although you cannot use the progesterone test alone to make a diagnosis, it can be used alongside other tests. A doctor may use a progesterone testing to:
- Learn why you’re not pregnant despite trying to conceive.
- To find out when and if your ovulating is;
- Progesterone testing is used by doctors to monitor high-risk pregnancies.
- Pregnancies in which the fertilized egg has been implanted outside of the womb are called ectopic. This is medically called an ectopic pregnancy.
Progesterone Test Procedure
You don’t need to perform any pre-test routine in order to take this test. It is helpful to know the date your period began. The doctor will insert a needle into one of your veins and take a sample from your blood.
Progesterone Test Results
You may get one of these results:
- Progesterone levels don’t fluctuate regularly: This result is obtained after a series of tests by doctors. This means that your progesterone levels don’t fluctuate as often as they should, especially after ovulation.
- Low progesterone If your results show that you have low progesterone levels, this could be due to
- Ovaries don’t work as they should.
- An unusual pregnancy.
- High level of Progesterone : If the results indicate higher hormone levels than usual, it could be:
- A pregnancy involving more than one child;
- Cyst growth on your ovaries;
- It may even indicate ovarian cancer.
Are Progesterone Tests Worth It?
Progesterone tests are able to quickly identify a woman who is having difficulty conceiving. These tests help doctors pinpoint the cause of the problem and prescribe drugs to ease the woman’s inability to conceive.
