What is progesterone?

Progesterone on your report

It appears as serum progesterone.

The right range depends on:

• where you are in your cycle
• whether you are pregnant

So the result means most when the test is timed the way your doctor asked. Each lab prints its own ranges.

What progesterone tells your doctor

If no pregnancy happens, progesterone falls and your period begins, so it keeps your cycle in rhythm.

A low level can mean you are not ovulating regularly, which is common in PCOS and also in perimenopause, when cycles become erratic.

Doctors check it:

• to see whether ovulation is happening
• to look into fertility problems or irregular bleeding
• in early pregnancy

High stress can also get in the way of progesterone production.

What moves your progesterone

Regular ovulation is what keeps progesterone healthy, so the habits that help PCOS help here too:

• balanced meals with protein and fibre
• fewer sugary and maida-based foods
• daily movement
• gradual weight loss if you're carrying extra weight

Protecting your sleep and finding ways to manage stress also matter, because stress hormones can interfere. Any hormone treatment, including progesterone pills or creams, should come from your doctor and not from a chemist's shelf.