Correct understanding of high progesterone
These symptoms appear too much when the level of progesterone is high, but not above the allowable limit. Slightly elevated levels can come from taking a lot of progesterone or during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Common symptoms such as:
Weight fluctuations (usually slight weight gain of 5-10 pounds). Drowsiness, waking groggy or tired. Feeling depressed but not too depressed. Feeling physically unsettled, slightly dizzy, anxious, or just feeling tense. Water retention, bloating. Changes in libido (usually decreased sex drive). Symptoms are less common and usually only occur if the level of progesterone is too high:
Hot flashes (due to an overload of estrogen receptors) Insomnia Increased appetite Excessive anxiety or panic Depression Significant weight gain If there are signs related to hormone balance problems, your doctor may order a progesterone test to check. The best time to take a progesterone test is 7 days before your period or 7 days after you ovulate. This is the time when high progesterone levels can be detected.
Progesterone Test
A progesterone test measures the level of progesterone in a sample of your blood. Progesterone is a hormone that’s made mainly by the ovaries, which are two glands in the female reproductive system that contain eggs.
Each month, progesterone prepares your uterus for pregnancy. During a normal menstrual cycle, an ovary releases an egg and your progesterone levels begin to rise. Progesterone makes the lining of your uterus grow thicker so that a fertilized egg can attach (implant) inside of the uterus and grow into a baby.
If you don’t become pregnant, your progesterone levels will fall. The lining of your uterus will become thinner again. When your uterus starts to get rid of the extra blood and tissue, your menstrual period will begin.
If you become pregnant, progesterone levels will continue to rise to about 10 times higher than usual to support the pregnancy. High levels of progesterone prevent the uterus from contracting (squeezing) and causing pre-term labor. Much of the progesterone you need for a healthy pregnancy is made by the placenta. The placenta is the organ that grows in the uterus to provide nutrients and oxygen to the unborn baby.
A progesterone test can help show whether low progesterone levels are causing female infertility (problems getting pregnant after a year of trying) or problems during pregnancy. The test may also help diagnose certain problems with the adrenal glands that may cause high levels of progesterone in both females and males.
Other names: serum progesterone, progesterone blood test, PGSN
What is it used for?
A progesterone test may be used to help:
- Find the cause of female infertility.
- Check to see if fertility treatments are working.
- Find out your risk of a miscarriage (loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks).
- Diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, which is a fertilized egg that tries to grow outside of the uterus. The egg cannot grow into a baby when it’s in the wrong place. It must be removed to avoid damage to your organs. This can be a medical emergency.
- Check the health of a high-risk pregnancy.
- Diagnose ovarian cancer or problems with your adrenal glands. Normally, your adrenal glands make small amounts of progesterone. High levels of progesterone may be a sign of an adrenal gland disorder in both females and males.
Why do I need a progesterone test?
You may need a progesterone test if:
- You are having trouble getting pregnant. A progesterone test can help your health care provider see if your ovaries are releasing eggs (ovulating) normally.
- You are having fertility treatments.
- You are having abnormal bleeding when you’re not pregnant.
- You are pregnant and:
- You’re having progesterone therapy to prevent a miscarriage.
- Your provider wants to check the health of your pregnancy because you have a higher risk for miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.
- You have signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, such as cramps or bleeding
What happens during a progesterone test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You usually don’t need any other preparations for a progesterone test. In certain cases, you may need to know the first day of your last menstrual period. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before the test. But never stop taking medicine unless your provider tells you.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
The meaning of your test results depends on:
- Why you had the test
- Where you were in your menstrual cycle when your blood sample was taken
High progesterone levels:
- When you’re not pregnant may be linked to:
- A cyst on your ovaries
- Ovarian cancer
- Adrenal gland problems, including adrenal gland cancer, or an inherited disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
High progesterone levels may also be a sign of a molar pregnancy, which is an abnormal growth of tissue in the uterus. It’s caused by a fertilized egg with such severe genetic problems that it cannot become a baby. The growth can turn into cancer and must be removed.
Low progesterone levels:
- When you’re not pregnant, may be linked to:
- Not ovulating normally
- Not having a menstrual period (amenorrhea)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage or a high risk of miscarriage
- Pre-eclampsia
Your provider can explain what your test results say about your health.
Is there anything else I need to know about a progesterone test?
Because progesterone levels change throughout your pregnancy and menstrual cycle, you may need to be tested several times.
References
- Cable JK, Grider MH. Physiology, Progesterone. [Updated 2022 May 8; cited 2022 Jun 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558960/
- Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995–2012. Test ID: PGSN: Progesterone Serum: Overview; [cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/8141
- Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck and Co. Inc.; c2022. Overview of the Female Reproductive System; [reviewed 2022 Apr; cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/overview-of-the-female-reproductive-system
- Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck and Co. Inc.; c2022. Quick Facts: Ectopic Pregnancy; [reviewed 2021 Jun; cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-women-s-health-issues/complications-of-pregnancy/ectopic-pregnancy
- Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA).: OneCare Media; c2022. Progesterone; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 June 21]; [about 12 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/progesterone/
- UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. University of Florida; c2022. Serum Progesterone: Overview; [updated 2019 Mar 28; cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://ufhealth.org/serum-progesterone
- University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Progesterone; [cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=progesterone
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2022. Health Information: Progesterone: Results; [current 2022 Feb 23; cited 2022 Jun 213]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw42146
- WomensHealth.gov [Internet]. Washington DC: Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Menstrual Cycle: Your Menstrual Cycle; [updated 2021 Feb 22; cited 2022 Jun 21]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle
Related Health Topics
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Female Infertility
- Health Problems in Pregnancy
- Hormones
- Infertility
- Menstruation
- Miscarriage
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pregnancy
Correct understanding of high progesterone
Progesterone is a natural hormone related to the thickness of the lining of the uterus in a woman’s body. During pregnancy, this hormone will naturally increase to adapt to the growth of the fetus in the uterus. However, in some cases, high levels of progesterone can lead to a variety of unwanted reactions.
1. What Causes High Progesterone?
High levels of progesterone are common in pregnant women. As the fetus grows, progesterone levels also increase. During pregnancy, if progesterone levels rise too high, multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
Common causes of high progesterone levels in women:
Change in menstrual cycle (prolongs the luteal phase) Decrease in estrogen levels in the body Too much progesterone supplementation (oral or transdermal progesterone) Supplements Excessive supplementation with precursors or other progesterone precursors Adrenal gland problems, as well as other hormone imbalances. In addition, when the level of progesterone increases, the cause can also be underlying diseases such as ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cancer.2. Manifestations when progesterone is high
Mệt mỏi, lảo đảo khi thức dậy là biểu hiện của progesterone tăng cao
These symptoms appear too much when the level of progesterone is high, but not above the allowable limit. Slightly elevated levels can come from taking a lot of progesterone or during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Common symptoms such as:
Weight fluctuations (usually slight weight gain of 5-10 pounds). Drowsiness, waking groggy or tired. Feeling depressed but not too depressed. Feeling physically unsettled, slightly dizzy, anxious, or just feeling tense. Water retention, bloating. Changes in libido (usually decreased sex drive). Symptoms are less common and usually only occur if the level of progesterone is too high:
Hot flashes (due to an overload of estrogen receptors) Insomnia Increased appetite Excessive anxiety or panic Depression Significant weight gain If there are signs related to hormone balance problems, your doctor may order a progesterone test to check. The best time to take a progesterone test is 7 days before your period or 7 days after you ovulate. This is the time when high progesterone levels can be detected.3. Tests for High Progesterone
Check the BBT basal body temperature chart:
Is the process of recording body temperature every day to capture information related to the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, in women there is a steady but slight increase in basal body temperature. If the temperature is irregular or consistently high, there may be a high progesterone reading. Length of luteal phase:
If ovulation is less than 11 days before menstruation, this could be a sign of a defect related to the luteal phase. Ovulation can be detected through the use of an ovulation detector, or BBT chart. Salivary gland hormone test:
Endocrine tests can be done through saliva testing. After analyzing the saliva, the laboratory can determine whether the level of progesterone is high or low. Blood hormone testing: While a saliva hormone test can be useful and non-invasive, a blood hormone test helps identify some important information about your body.4. How to treat when the level of progesterone is high
Có thể duy trì sự cân bằng của hormone bằng việc xây dựng lối sống khỏe mạnh như tập thể dụng thường xuyên
Treatment for high progesterone largely depends on the cause. Therefore, it is necessary to do progesterone tests to determine the cause of high progesterone levels and have appropriate treatment.
Hormone replacement therapy:
This form of therapy involves the use of hormone medications to address an imbalance of progesterone. It should be noted that hormone replacement therapy has many negative effects and can increase the risk of blood clots, breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Herbal solutions:
Some women may want to try herbal therapies to manage symptoms associated with high progesterone levels. The two herbs that are likely to be most effective are:
Phytoestrogen-containing herbs, such as black cohosh, provide the body with plant-based estrogen compounds that help eliminate hormone imbalances. . Herbs that do not contain estrogen, such as macafem, support the endocrine glands to increase hormone production. Note, do not arbitrarily use these herbs without the prescription of the doctor.
Lifestyle changes to maintain hormone balance:
Exercise regularly. Eat healthy, eat foods that increase the amount of estrogen in the body such as soybeans, cherries, potatoes, wheat, rice, apples. Along with stress-reducing practices like meditation and yoga. When there are signs of high progesterone, you should choose a reputable clinic. Your doctor will examine you and may order a test to evaluate your progesterone levels.
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Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health System nationwide to visit or contact the hotline HERE for support.- Adrenal cancer
- Loss of menstruation
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- Progesterone
