Progesterone is a female hormone, produced primarily in the ovary, primarily during the second half ("luteal phase") of the menstrual cycle. Men also produce progesterone, but only very small amounts.

Shortly after ovulation, progesterone levels rise quickly and remain elevated for about 10 days.

If pregnancy occurs, the progesterone levels remain elevated.
If pregnancy does not occur, then progesterone levels fall, provoking a menstrual flow.

Progesterone levels are sometimes used to evaluate a possible ectopic pregnancy:

If progesterone > 25, ectopic pregnancy is very unlikely
When less than 25, the results are not conclusive either way.

Elevations found in:

Pregnancy
Second half of the menstrual cycle
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Some hormone-producing tumors of the ovary

Decreases found in:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO, Stein-Levinthal Syndrome)
Amenorrhea-Galactorrhea Syndrome
Luteal phase defects
Menopause
Ovarian failure

Normal Values*

Men	< 1.0 ng/ml
Women (Proliferative Phase)	< 1.5 ng/ml
Women (Luteal Phase)	3-20 ng/ml

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

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Operational Medicine 2001

Health Care in Military Settings

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
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Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001

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Operational Medicine 2001 Progesterone

Health Care in Military Settings

Operational Medicine 2001
Progesterone