In order for the body to function properly it is important for levels of progesterone to balance with estrogen levels. A progesterone imbalance may lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms and side effects and it's important to know what is considered normal for women of all ages. Keep reading to find out what is considered to be a high progesterone level and the progesterone tests available.
High Progesterone Levels
High levels of progesterone are usually found during a woman's reproductive years and are especially noticeable during pregnancy. High progesterone levels are usually monitored closely during pregnancy and can indicate twins or multiple fetuses.
During the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels usually occur during the luteal phase. This is when progesterone is released from the follicles in order to prepare and maintain the uterus lining for a fertilized egg. If this does not happen levels will drop again and menstruation will commence. During menopause, high progesterone levels are more unusual, but not unheard of, to learn more about testing for high progesterone levels keep reading.
Progesterone Testing
A progesterone test administrated by a doctor can help to establish whether or not a woman is suffering from a high progesterone level. A simple blood sample can be analyzed by a lab and along with information surrounding the woman's general health and the symptoms of menopause she may be suffering from, an effective treatment plan can be decided.
The table below shows the average progesterone levels considered to be normal for the different stages in a woman's life. It's important to bare in mind that levels can change dramatically between different women and is heavily dependant on what part of her menstrual cycle a woman is in when tested. Most experts would suggest that a woman be tested on the 21st day of her menstrual cycle.
What's Normal?
Due to the changes in progesterone levels from woman to woman and fluctuation during a menstrual cycle it's difficult to establish a normal level of progesterone in the body. Most experts believe that prior to menopause a level of
8 to 10 ng/ml is healthy (ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter).
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A normal progesterone level for a woman post-menopause is lower than 1ng/ml.
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It's important to remember that levels can rise to over 20 ng/ml during ovulation and can also be affected by any medication and oral contraceptives that a woman may be taking. Due to the very nature of menopause hormone levels are bound to fluctuate and some doctors may suggest multiple tests to determine an average progesterone reading.
Click on the following link to find out about
treatments for progesterone imbalance.
Progesterone Levels
