Progesterone
Progesterone is secreted mainly by the corpus luteum after ovulation and by the placenta during pregnancy. It prepares the uterine lining for implantation, maintains early pregnancy, and balances estrogen. Low luteal phase progesterone suggests anovulation or luteal insufficiency and can contribute to infertility and irregular cycles, while very high levels confirm ovulation or pregnancy.
Units: ng/mL; some labs report nmol/L (nmol/L = ng/mL × 3.18). Check the units on your report before comparing to any range here.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Named practitionerpremenopause 10-22 ng/mL at day 21 / postmenopause 2-6 ng/mLLife Extension · Lab Testing Protocol (Suggested Optimal Ranges)Disclosure: Life Extension sells lab panels that appear in our blood-test comparisons.
- Lab reference intervalFollicular: <1.0 ng/mL, Luteal: 2.0-25.0 ng/mL, Postmenopausal: <1.0 ng/mLWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
Practitioner targets are individual positions, often tighter than guideline ranges. Each was checked against its article before publishing.
13 of 21 itemized panels
Sex Hormones (Female)
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the corpus luteum in the ovaries after ovulation in women, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands in both sexes and the testes in men. In women, progesterone is THE dominant hormone of the luteal phase (second half of menstrual cycle, days 15-28) and is essential for preparing the uterus for pregnancy, regulating the menstrual cycle, supporting pregnancy, and balancing the effects of estrogen. Progesterone has calming, anti-anxiety effects on the brain and is critical for sleep quality.
Progesterone is not just a "pregnancy hormone." It's protective against estrogen dominance, supports mood and sleep, has neuroprotective effects, and is critical for bone health and breast tissue protection. Low progesterone in premenopausal women is common and often causes PMS, irregular cycles, anxiety, insomnia, and increased risk of estrogen-dependent cancers. In menopause, both estrogen AND progesterone decline, but replacing estrogen without progesterone (if uterus is intact) increases endometrial cancer risk.
Progesterone levels vary dramatically across the menstrual cycle. It's very low in the follicular phase (<1 ng/mL), then spikes after ovulation to 5-25 ng/mL in the luteal phase. Testing progesterone on day 21 of a 28-day cycle (or 7 days after ovulation) confirms ovulation occurred. Low progesterone despite normal estrogen = anovulation or luteal phase deficiency, common causes of infertility and menstrual irregularity.
Why Progesterone Matters for Longevity (Women)
- Balances estrogen: Progesterone opposes estrogen's proliferative effects on breast and uterine tissue, reducing cancer risk. Estrogen dominance (low progesterone relative to estrogen) increases breast and endometrial cancer risk.
- Sleep and mood: Progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone acts on GABA receptors, promoting relaxation, sleep, and reducing anxiety. Low progesterone worsens PMS, anxiety, insomnia.
- Bone density: Progesterone stimulates osteoblasts (bone-building cells). Low progesterone accelerates bone loss, especially in perimenopause.
- Fertility and pregnancy: Progesterone prepares uterine lining for implantation and maintains pregnancy. Luteal phase deficiency causes infertility and miscarriage.
- Neuroprotection: Progesterone has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. May protect against cognitive decline.
- Cardiovascular health: Unlike synthetic progestins, bioidentical progesterone does not negatively impact lipid profile and may be cardioprotective.
Interpretation bands (curated, PMID-backed)
Holder: OptimizeBiomarkers editorial synthesis of: In Defense of Progesterone: A Review of the Literature (Lieberman and Curtis, 2017); The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy? (Holtorf, 2009). No single paper sets these cutoffs; for attributed targets see who says what.
Optimal (Luteal Phase)10-25 ng/mL▼
- Mid-luteal phase (day 21 of 28-day cycle)
- Confirms ovulation occurred and adequate progesterone production
Optimal (Follicular Phase)<1 ng/mL▼
- Progesterone should be very low before ovulation
- Elevated progesterone in follicular phase may indicate luteinized unruptured follicle or adrenal issue
Optimal (Pregnancy - First Trimester)10-90 ng/mL▼
Progesterone rises dramatically in pregnancy, produced by corpus luteum then placenta.
Optimal (Postmenopausal on HRT)1-5 ng/mL▼
Bioidentical progesterone HRT (oral or topical) maintains levels to protect endometrium if taking estrogen.
- In Defense of Progesterone: A Review of the Literature.
- The bioidentical hormone debate: are bioidentical hormones (estradiol, estriol, and progesterone) safer or more efficacious than commonly used synthetic versions in hormone replacement therapy?
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: Where are we Now?
What raises or lowers Progesterone
Causes of high Progesterone
- Ovarian cyst (corpus luteum cyst): Persistent corpus luteum continues producing progesterone after cycle.
- Adrenal tumor (very rare): Adrenal glands produce small amounts of progesterone; tumors can overproduce.
- Pregnancy: Progesterone rises dramatically to support pregnancy.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Rare enzyme deficiency causes overproduction of progesterone precursors.
Causes of low Progesterone
- Anovulation: Most common cause of low progesterone. No ovulation = no corpus luteum = no progesterone. Causes: PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia.
- Luteal phase deficiency: Ovulation occurs but corpus luteum produces insufficient progesterone. Causes infertility, short luteal phase (<10 days), PMS.
- Chronic stress: Cortisol suppresses progesterone production and disrupts ovulation.
- Perimenopause and menopause: Declining ovarian function leads to irregular ovulation and low progesterone (before estrogen decline).
- Low body weight, excessive exercise: Hypothalamic amenorrhea suppresses LH surge, preventing ovulation.
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome): Insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance cause chronic anovulation.
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI): Premature ovarian failure before age 40.
Symptoms when Progesterone is high or low
When high
- Sedation, drowsiness (if very high dose)
- Dizziness
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Mood changes (rare with bioidentical; more common with synthetic progestins)
Progesterone rarely causes problems even at high doses. High progesterone (>30 ng/mL in non-pregnant women) may indicate ovarian cyst or adrenal tumor (very rare).
When low
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome): Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, bloating, breast tenderness 1-2 weeks before period
- Irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation (no ovulation)
- Infertility, difficulty conceiving, recurrent miscarriage
- Insomnia, poor sleep quality
- Anxiety, nervousness, restlessness
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (unopposed estrogen)
- Estrogen dominance symptoms: Breast tenderness, fibroids, endometriosis
- Low bone density, osteoporosis (in chronic low progesterone)
- Brain fog, poor concentration
- Hot flashes (in menopause without HRT)
Low progesterone in luteal phase <5 ng/mL indicates luteal phase deficiency or anovulation. Common cause of PMS, infertility, and estrogen dominance.
How to move Progesterone
Effect sizes (how much something moves the marker) appear only where the paper cited under the item states them. Talk to your clinician before starting or changing any medication or supplement.
Bioidentical Progesterone Supplementation (if low or anovulatory)
- Oral micronized progesterone (Prometrium): 100-200 mg at bedtime. Bioidentical, identical to human progesterone. Has calming, sleep-promoting effects. Used for luteal phase support, HRT, or PMS.
- Progesterone cream: Topical application (20-40 mg/day) absorbed through skin. Useful for perimenopause or mild progesterone deficiency. Variable absorption.
- Progesterone suppositories: Vaginal or rectal. Used for luteal phase support in fertility treatment or early pregnancy.
- Avoid synthetic progestins: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) and other synthetic progestins have different effects than bioidentical progesterone and may increase breast cancer risk and harm lipid profile.
Restore Ovulation (if anovulatory)
- Most common cause of low progesterone is anovulation (no ovulation = no corpus luteum = no progesterone).
- Address underlying causes: PCOS (insulin resistance drives anovulation), hypothalamic amenorrhea (low body weight, excessive exercise, chronic stress), thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia.
- Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy body weight, reduce stress, adequate calorie intake (not chronic dieting), resistance training.
- Vitex (chasteberry): 20-40 mg/day may support ovulation and luteal phase progesterone in some women. Modest evidence.
- Ovulation induction: Clomiphene or letrozole if trying to conceive and anovulatory despite lifestyle changes.
HRT for Postmenopausal Women (if on estrogen)
- If taking estrogen HRT and uterus is intact, you MUST take progesterone to prevent endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
- Oral micronized progesterone: 100-200 mg at bedtime for 12-14 days/month (cyclic) or daily (continuous). Preferred over synthetic progestins.
- Bioidentical progesterone safer: Unlike synthetic progestins (MPA), bioidentical progesterone does not increase breast cancer risk and may be protective.
- If uterus removed (hysterectomy): Progesterone not required, but many women report better sleep, mood, and bone health with progesterone added to estrogen HRT.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Support
- Vitamin B6 (50-100 mg/day): Supports progesterone production and may reduce PMS symptoms.
- Vitamin C (500-1000 mg/day): May support corpus luteum function and progesterone synthesis.
- Magnesium (400 mg/day): Improves sleep, reduces anxiety, supports HPA axis (stress impairs progesterone production).
- Zinc (15-30 mg/day): Required for ovulation and progesterone synthesis.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which suppresses progesterone production and disrupts ovulation.
- Adequate sleep: 7-9 hours. Sleep deprivation disrupts reproductive hormones.
Seed Cycling (Anecdotal Evidence)
- Flaxseeds (1-2 tbsp ground) in follicular phase (days 1-14): Weak phytoestrogens may support estrogen levels.
- Pumpkin and sesame seeds (1-2 tbsp) in luteal phase (days 15-28): Contain nutrients (zinc, vitamin E) that may support progesterone production.
- Evidence is weak and anecdotal, but low risk and may help some women with cycle regularity.
When to retest
- If trying to conceive: Test progesterone on day 21 of 28-day cycle (or 7 days post-ovulation if tracking ovulation). A value in the lab's luteal range suggests ovulation; Life Extension suggests 10-22 ng/mL at day 21 (see who says what above).
- If starting progesterone supplementation: Retest mid-luteal phase after 2-3 months to ensure adequate replacement.
- If on HRT: Monitor progesterone levels if using cream (variable absorption). Oral progesterone dosing doesn't require monitoring if symptoms controlled and withdrawal bleed occurs (if cyclic HRT).
- If treating infertility: Serial progesterone testing in luteal phase to confirm ovulation and adequate support.
- If perimenopausal with irregular cycles: Test progesterone day 21 (if still cycling) to assess ovulatory status and guide treatment.
Scientific Evidence
Progesterone and Estradiol in Perimenopause
Prior argues that in perimenopause estradiol levels average 26% higher and swing erratically, while ovulation and progesterone become insufficient or absent; the most symptomatic women have higher estradiol and lower progesterone. She proposes oral micronized progesterone (300 mg at bedtime) as a physiologic treatment for hot flushes and sleep problems. This is a review of one author's position; controlled trial data were pending when it was published.
Progesterone and Sleep
In a small randomized trial of 8 healthy postmenopausal women, 300 mg progesterone nightly for 3 weeks did not change undisturbed sleep. When sleep was disturbed, wake time after sleep onset was 53% lower and slow-wave sleep almost 50% higher than on placebo.
Progesterone Versus Synthetic Progestins
A meta-analysis of three observational studies (86,881 postmenopausal women) found that estrogen combined with progesterone was associated with lower breast cancer risk than estrogen combined with a synthetic progestin (relative risk 0.67). No cardiovascular outcome data were available.
Which Providers Test Progesterone?
Cheapest: Mito Health at $297/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
13 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $449 | 83 | $5.41 | |
| $495 | 80+ | $6.19 | |
| $829 | 54 | $15.35 | |
| $895 | 100+ | $8.95 | |
| $996 | 59 | $16.88 | |
| $1188 | 70+ | $16.97 | |
| $1198 | 40+ | $29.95 | |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
8 itemized panels do not include Progesterone
WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Marek Health Base · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Progesterone. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing Progesterone
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
- Cortisol Decoded: The Myths & Truths About A Hormone Crucial To Your Health
- Why Is My Cortisol High Even Though I'm Doing Everything Right? The DUTCH Test
- Best Of Hormone Health
- Test Your Sex Hormones & Cortisol at Home
- Dr. Natalie Crawford: Female Hormone Health, Fertility & VitalityDisclosure: Huberman Lab has been sponsored by Function Health, which appears in our blood-test comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Progesterone?
Named practitioners target: premenopause 10-22 ng/mL at day 21 / postmenopause 2-6 ng/mL (Life Extension). Lab reference interval: Follicular: <1.0 ng/mL, Luteal: 2.0-25.0 ng/mL, Postmenopausal: <1.0 ng/mL. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Progesterone?
13 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Progesterone in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence; HRV Zone tracks recovery trends.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025