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MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle and vital statistics.
If you have periods, you should aim to take your test 7 days before your next period. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, take your test on day 21.
It's important to log the date of your last period, and other information regarding your periods or menopause status, in your MyMedichecks account right after taking your sample.
If you don’t let us know the date of your last period, we’ll interpret your results as though you took your test on day 21.
Progesterone
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Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced in the corpus luteum and the adrenal glands. Its main role is to prepare the body for and support a pregnancy. It is produced in increasing amounts in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Although progesterone is considered a female hormone, men also produce progesterone in the adrenal glands and the testes. Progesterone in men plays a role in testosterone production.
Prepare for your Ovulation Progesterone Blood Test by following these instructions. Take this test 7 days before your next period is due. It can be taken at any time if you are not having periods. If you use hormone gels, pessaries, patches, or tablets, we strongly recommend selecting a venous sample to minimise contamination sometimes seen with finger-prick tests. Otherwise, administer any hormone supplements using gloves, and make sure your fingers have not been in contact with hormone supplements for at least four weeks before taking the test. Hormones can be absorbed deep within the skin even after minimal contact and remain there for weeks despite vigorous handwashing. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
If you’re planning a pregnancy, a healthy progesterone level is essential. Progesterone is a female sex hormone that plays a key role in preparing your body for pregnancy. After you ovulate, your progesterone level begins to rise, causing the lining of the womb to thicken in preparation for a fertilised egg to implant. If you conceive, your progesterone level should continue to rise, helping to support the early weeks of pregnancy.
The reference ranges and units used to measure your progesterone level can vary depending on the lab that analyses your sample. For guidance, the reference ranges used if you take our ovulation test seven days before your period are:
-30 nmol/L or above indicates that you’ve ovulated
-16–30 nmol/L indicates that it’s possible that you’ve ovulated, but you may have taken the test too early in your cycle
-Less than 16 nmol/L indicates that you haven’t ovulated
There are several reasons why your progesterone test results might be outside of the normal ranges. Most commonly, low progesterone can indicate that you’re not ovulating, or maybe that you didn’t do the test at the right time in your menstrual cycle. Your level also drops naturally as you reach menopause.
A consistently high progesterone level could be due to a pregnancy or an ovarian cyst. In very rare cases, it may be caused by ovarian cancer.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help support your body’s production of progesterone and increase your chances of getting pregnant. Choose foods that are rich in magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fats, such as oily fish and walnuts. Managing stress and regular exercise can also help support your hormone levels.
In general, ovulation stops due to an imbalance of one or more specific hormones. There are many reasons why a hormone imbalance may occur including stress, being underweight, and a hormonal condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
If you find that you aren’t ovulating (known as anovulation), lifestyle changes are often the first step, especially if your ovulation problems stem from severe stress or a significantly low or raised BMI.
Depending on the underlying cause, medications like clomifene or gonadotrophins can also be effective at stimulating egg release. IVF may also be an option for some people.
A wide range of blood tests and checks are available that can help you take charge of your fertility journey. Our Fertility Buying Guide can guide you to the right tests for you and your partner.
And if you’re trying to get pregnant, and it’s not happening as quickly as you’d hoped, you’re not alone. It’s been reported that one in seven couples in the UK face issues conceiving.
