Progesterone - Finger prick
Insight into one of your most important hormones - at home, fast and reliable
What does this test measure?
The progesterone finger prick measures the level of progesterone in your blood. Progesterone plays a central role in your cycle, fertility, pregnancy and general well-being. It is one of the first hormones to change when something gets out of balance - at any stage of life.
Who is this test for?
Women over 38 who notice changes
Progesterone drops first as menopause approaches - often years before your periods stop. You may still be menstruating normally, but your progesterone levels have already dropped. This explains why so many women in their late thirties or early forties recognize symptoms they have trouble placing: worse sleep, irritability, less stress-resistance.
Women who want to get pregnant
Progesterone is essential for the implantation of a fertilized egg and maintaining early pregnancy. A reading around day 21-23 shows whether ovulation has occurred and whether progesterone levels are sufficient for conception.
Women with irregular cycles
Persistently low progesterone may indicate that ovulation is not occurring or is not occurring adequately. Measuring provides insight into what's going on - without having to wait for a referral.
Women who are early in pregnancy
In the first trimester, progesterone is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. A low reading may be an indication that additional testing or counseling is desired.
Anyone who just wants to know where they stand
No symptoms, but curious? Measuring progesterone as part of a broader hormone check provides a useful baseline - especially if you're conscious about your health.
Symptoms that may indicate low progesterone
- Worse sleep or restless nights
- Irritability or hyper-emotional reacting
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Headaches before menstruation
- Painfully swollen breasts
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Heavy or irregular menstruation
- Fatigue with no apparent cause
- Difficulty getting pregnant
When to take?
For a reliable reading, we recommend testing in the second half of your cycle, preferably around day 21-23 (for a regular cycle of 28 days - about 7 days before your period). At this stage, progesterone is at its highest and the measurement gives the clearest picture of whether ovulation has occurred.
Do you use the pill or a hormonal birth control method? Then a progesterone measurement is probably not useful at this time because the pill suppresses your own hormone production. Are you stopping the pill soon and want to know where you stand hormonally? Then wait at least 2-3 months after stopping before measuring so that your cycle has a chance to recover.
Are you pregnant? If so, different reference values apply. Please mention this with your order so we can correctly interpret your result.
What do the results say?
You will get a concrete number in nmol/l. The meaning depends on the phase of your cycle:
| Cycle phase | Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Follicular phase | 0.19 - 2.83 nmol/l |
| Ovulation Phase | 0.38 - 38.20 nmol/l |
| Luteal phase | 5.82 - 76.00 nmol/l |
| Postmenopausal | < 0.41 nmol/l |
A value that is "within reference" does not automatically mean that your level is optimal for your situation or stage of life. In doubt about your result? Then you can discuss it with one of our specialized hormone doctors.
This is just the beginning
A progesterone measurement provides valuable insight. But progesterone never stands alone - the balance with estrogen, testosterone and other hormones determines the overall picture.
Want a more complete picture and medical interpretation? Check out the hormone panel + consultation with our BIG-registered hormone doctor.
