Test for a progesterone deficiency with a blood test

A low progesterone can be linked to cycle problems or to ovulation not taking place. Measuring it gives you a concrete data point instead of guessing when you have vague symptoms.

Think of the test as one piece of the puzzle around your cycle, your hormonal balance and your fertility. If you want to learn more about this hormone first, read our page on progesterone.

This test may be useful if you have an irregular cycle, if you are unsure whether you actually ovulate, or if you are simply curious about your hormonal balance.

People who are trying to conceive sometimes look at progesterone too, because the hormone can support an early pregnancy. The test does not replace guidance from your GP, but it can inform the conversation with concrete figures.

This test looks at one specific value in your blood:

• Progesterone: the hormone made by the corpus luteum after ovulation, which rises during the luteal phase of your cycle.

You receive your progesterone level together with a matching reference range, so your result has context right away.

A progesterone level can give an impression of whether ovulation has likely taken place. A low value may sometimes suggest that ovulation did not occur, although other factors also play a part.

Progesterone raises many questions in early pregnancy too: the hormone helps prepare the womb lining and can support a pregnancy in its earliest days. Keep in mind that the result is a snapshot, not a diagnosis.

The test needs a small blood sample. After ordering, you choose a sample point yourself: there are more than 750 certified locations across the Netherlands, often close to home.

You do not need a referral from your GP. The blood draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, after which your blood goes to the lab.

Progesterone is best measured in the mid-luteal phase, roughly around day 21 of a 28-day cycle (about seven days after ovulation). At that moment the level is usually at its highest.

That timing can give an impression of whether ovulation has taken place. If your cycle is longer or shorter, the suitable moment may shift, and your GP can help you plan.

Your result is shown with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as "normal" depends on the lab, your age and especially the day in your cycle.

So avoid comparing your progesterone level directly with someone else's. A BIG-registered doctor reviews your result and puts it in context; for what it means in your situation, that assessment is what counts.

You usually do not need to fast for this test. What matters more is the right moment in your cycle: try to plan the draw around day 21 of a 28-day cycle, about seven days after ovulation.

If you use hormones or you are (possibly) pregnant, let us know, as this can affect your progesterone level. If you are unsure about the right moment, check with your GP.

Your result is ready online within a few working days, clearly laid out and secure to view. You can go through it at your own pace and take it to a follow-up appointment if you wish.

If you recognise symptoms sometimes linked to low progesterone, such as an irregular cycle, spotting or PMS-like complaints, discuss your result with a healthcare professional. Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.