Progesterone Levels Chart: Normal Ranges by Cycle Phase
Medically reviewed by Medical Advisory Board Last reviewed 2026-08-03
Normal progesterone ranges by menstrual phase, pregnancy, menopause, and for men, plus low and high symptoms.
Progesterone levels chart shows normal ranges in ng/mL by menstrual cycle phase, pregnancy trimester, postmenopause, and for men. This evidence-based guide explains follicular, luteal, and ovulation values, plus low and high progesterone symptoms.
Progesterone is a key hormone made mainly by the ovaries. It rises and falls across your menstrual cycle each month. This makes a single "normal" number hard to define.
Your result depends on your sex, cycle day, and life stage. A level that is normal in the luteal phase would be high in the follicular phase. Timing the test matters as much as the number.
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Book An Appointment With A Specialist →This chart shows progesterone reference ranges in ng/mL. Ranges come from Mayo Clinic Laboratories, the Cleveland Clinic, and ACOG. Always compare your result to your own lab's range. Learn how testing works on our hormone testing guide.
Progesterone Levels Chart by Cycle Phase and Life Stage
Normal progesterone is below 1 ng/mL in the follicular phase and 2 to 25 ng/mL in the luteal phase. Levels peak about 7 days after ovulation. They are very low in men and after menopause. The chart below shows typical adult ranges.
| Stage | Progesterone (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| Follicular phase (days 1–13) | < 1.0 |
| Ovulation (mid-cycle) | > 1.0 and rising |
| Luteal phase (days 15–28) | 2.0–25.0 |
| Mid-luteal (day 21 peak) | > 10.0 confirms ovulation |
| Postmenopause | < 0.5 |
| Adult men | < 0.5 |
A day-21 level above 10 ng/mL suggests you ovulated, per Mayo Clinic Laboratories. A value below 10 ng/mL may mean no ovulation or wrong test timing.
Progesterone Levels During Pregnancy by Trimester
Progesterone rises sharply in pregnancy to support the uterine lining and the baby. Levels climb each trimester and reach their highest point near birth. The placenta takes over progesterone production early in pregnancy. The chart below shows typical pregnancy ranges.
| Trimester | Progesterone (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| First trimester | 11–44 |
| Second trimester | 25–83 |
| Third trimester | 58–214 |
ACOG notes that low early-pregnancy progesterone can signal a higher miscarriage risk. Your doctor reads these numbers alongside an ultrasound and hCG results. Never judge a pregnancy on one progesterone value alone.
Progesterone Levels for IVF, Implantation, and Early Pregnancy
A mid-luteal progesterone level of at least 10 ng/mL is the threshold most fertility clinics use to confirm the corpus luteum is producing enough progesterone to support a pregnancy, whether conceived naturally or through IVF. This number matters most for anyone in fertility treatment, since progesterone-support decisions in IVF and frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles are often made directly from it.
In medicated frozen embryo transfer cycles — where progesterone is given as medication rather than produced naturally — a systematic review and meta-analysis in Fertility and Sterility, the journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, found an optimal range of roughly 70–99 nmol/L (about 22–31 ng/mL) on the day of transfer, with both lower and higher levels linked to reduced clinical pregnancy rates. Clinics that find a low level on transfer day (below roughly 9–10 ng/mL) often add extra subcutaneous or vaginal progesterone — a strategy called rescue luteal support — which research has linked to improved live birth rates.
Because these thresholds are protocol-specific and vary by clinic, lab, and whether a cycle is natural, stimulated, or medicated, don't interpret a single fertility-related progesterone result on your own. A reproductive endocrinologist reads it alongside your specific protocol, hCG trend, and ultrasound findings. Outside of fertility treatment, progesterone in a typical pregnancy continues rising through the first trimester as the placenta gradually takes over hormone production from the corpus luteum around weeks 8–10 — see the trimester chart above for the broader ranges. Supplemental progesterone in a monitored cycle is typically continued until that placental handoff happens, but the exact stop date is set by your fertility team based on your protocol and monitoring, not a fixed calendar rule — never stop a prescribed progesterone regimen without your clinic's guidance, since an early stop during that handoff window is exactly the scenario rescue luteal support is meant to prevent.
Low Progesterone Symptoms and Causes
Low progesterone often causes irregular periods, mood swings, fatigue, and trouble getting pregnant. It is common in perimenopause as ovulation becomes less regular. Low levels can also cause spotting and a higher miscarriage risk in pregnancy. The Cleveland Clinic lists these as the main signs.
- Irregular or missed periods
- Spotting before your period
- Trouble conceiving or staying pregnant
- Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
- Trouble sleeping and fatigue
- Headaches and breast tenderness
Common causes include perimenopause, menopause, and cycles without ovulation. Stress and thyroid problems can also lower levels. A blood test confirms the cause.
High Progesterone Symptoms and the Estrogen Ratio
High progesterone can cause bloating, breast tenderness, fatigue, and a low mood. Levels are naturally high in the luteal phase and during pregnancy. Outside of those times, high readings are uncommon. They may point to ovarian cysts or certain medications.
What matters most is the balance between estrogen and progesterone. When estrogen is high relative to progesterone, you may feel symptoms of estrogen dominance. These include heavy periods, weight gain, and mood swings. Compare your result with your estrogen levels.
Both hormones are partly bound by carrier proteins. Your SHBG level affects how much hormone is active. This is why doctors read several markers together, not one in isolation.
When and How to Test Progesterone
Test progesterone about 7 days before your expected period, usually around day 21 of a 28-day cycle. This timing catches the luteal peak when ovulation can be confirmed. Testing on the wrong day gives misleading results. The Endocrine Society stresses matching the test day to your own cycle length.
- Regular 28-day cycle: test on day 21
- Longer cycle: test 7 days before your next period
- Pregnancy: your provider chooses the timing
A single result rarely tells the full story. Your doctor reviews progesterone with estrogen, symptoms, and your cycle history. Hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation and therefore your natural progesterone rise, so testing while on it will not reflect an unmedicated cycle — tell your doctor if you're on any hormonal contraceptive before interpreting a result. No fasting is required for a progesterone draw, and for what the test typically costs, whether insurance covers it, and how often it's reasonable to retest, see our hormone testing guide, which also covers cost and coverage for a fuller hormone panel if progesterone alone isn't enough to explain your symptoms. Ready to check your levels? Book an evidence-based panel through our hormone testing guide today.
How to test your hormones at home
You don't need a lab appointment to check your own hormones — a few at-home kits mail you a collection kit and return physician-reviewed results online within days:
Prefer to order direct? The Everlywell Men's or Women's Health hormone test uses a CLIA-certified lab, physician-reviewed results, and prepaid return shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal progesterone level by cycle phase?
A normal progesterone level is below 1 ng/mL in the follicular phase and 2 to 25 ng/mL in the luteal phase. Levels peak about 7 days after ovulation. After menopause and in men, normal levels are below 0.5 ng/mL. Always compare your result to your own lab's range.
What progesterone level confirms ovulation?
A mid-luteal progesterone level above 10 ng/mL confirms that you ovulated, according to Mayo Clinic Laboratories. This is usually measured on day 21 of a 28-day cycle. A level below 10 ng/mL may mean no ovulation or that the test was timed wrong. Your doctor reads it with your cycle history.
What are the symptoms of low progesterone?
Low progesterone symptoms include irregular periods, spotting, mood swings, fatigue, and trouble getting pregnant. It is common during perimenopause and in cycles without ovulation. In pregnancy, low levels can raise the risk of miscarriage. The Cleveland Clinic lists these as the main signs to watch for.
What is a normal progesterone level in pregnancy?
A normal progesterone level in pregnancy is 11 to 44 ng/mL in the first trimester, 25 to 83 ng/mL in the second, and 58 to 214 ng/mL in the third. Levels rise each trimester to support the pregnancy. ACOG notes that low early levels can signal a higher miscarriage risk. Doctors read it alongside ultrasound and hCG.
Why does the estrogen-progesterone ratio matter?
The estrogen-progesterone ratio matters because balance between the two hormones drives a healthy cycle. When estrogen is high relative to progesterone, you may feel estrogen dominance symptoms like heavy periods, bloating, and mood swings. This is why doctors check both hormones together, not progesterone alone.
Can a progesterone level tell me if I'm about to get my period or if I'm pregnant?
Not on its own — progesterone rises after ovulation in every cycle, whether or not you become pregnant, so a single mid-luteal level looks the same either way. If you don't conceive, the corpus luteum breaks down around day 26–28, progesterone drops, and that drop triggers your period. If you do conceive, rising hCG signals the corpus luteum to keep producing progesterone instead of declining, so levels continue climbing rather than falling in the days before your expected period. Because the difference only shows up as a trend over several days — not a single number — a home pregnancy test (which measures hCG) answers the pregnant-or-PMS question faster and more reliably than a one-time progesterone level. For a broader look at how progesterone and estrogen interact throughout the cycle, see our estrogen vs progesterone comparison.
Is low or high progesterone a sign of PCOS?
Low progesterone, not high, is the pattern most often linked to PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome frequently causes anovulatory cycles — cycles where an egg isn't released — and progesterone is only produced by the corpus luteum, the structure formed after ovulation. Without regular ovulation, progesterone stays low throughout the cycle instead of rising in the normal luteal-phase pattern. This is a major reason irregular or absent periods are a core PCOS symptom: without progesterone's monthly drop to trigger shedding, the uterine lining can build up unpredictably. See our PCOS guide for how this connects to the condition's other hormonal and metabolic features. High progesterone is not a recognized feature of PCOS — persistently elevated levels outside the expected luteal-phase or pregnancy range point to a different cause and are worth discussing with your doctor.
Can over-the-counter progesterone cream actually raise your levels?
OTC progesterone creams can raise blood levels somewhat, but absorption through skin is inconsistent from person to person and much lower than an oral or vaginal prescription dose, so the effect is generally too small and unpredictable to reliably treat a confirmed low-progesterone diagnosis. They are most often used for mild, self-managed perimenopausal symptoms rather than for a specific lab-confirmed deficiency. If you have a documented low progesterone result, or you are using progesterone for fertility or pregnancy support, a prescription form with a known, tested dose is the more reliable choice — discuss it with your doctor rather than relying on an OTC cream alone.
What is the difference between progesterone and synthetic progestins?
Progesterone is the molecule your body naturally produces, and "bioidentical" progesterone is a lab-made version with the identical molecular structure; synthetic progestins are chemically different compounds designed to activate the same receptor but with their own distinct side-effect and risk profile. This distinction matters most when choosing a hormone therapy or birth control option. See our bioidentical hormones vs. HRT comparison for how that choice is typically framed.
What treatment options exist for confirmed low progesterone, outside of pregnancy or IVF?
Treatment depends on why your progesterone is low. In fertility care, clinics often add prescription progesterone — vaginal or oral — as luteal support when a monitored-cycle level comes back low, as described in the IVF section above. Outside of fertility treatment, options range from cyclic prescription progesterone to combined hormone therapy that pairs progesterone with estrogen — see our bioidentical hormones vs. HRT comparison for how that choice is typically framed. There's no single standard prescription — your doctor chooses the approach based on your specific goal (fertility support, cycle regulation, or symptom relief) and your overall hormone picture, not the progesterone number alone.
Does low progesterone always mean I can't get or stay pregnant?
No. Low progesterone is one factor that can contribute to difficulty conceiving or an early pregnancy loss, but it doesn't mean pregnancy is impossible. Many underlying causes, including irregular ovulation, are treatable once identified, and in a monitored fertility cycle a confirmed low level can be corrected with added prescription progesterone, as described in the IVF section above. A single result also isn't the whole picture — your doctor reads it alongside your cycle history, other hormone levels, and any ultrasound or hCG findings before drawing conclusions about fertility.
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