What is the progesterone rate for the 21 day cycle? When to test for progesterone?

Quite often representatives of the fair sex are in a situation when they need to pass a particular blood test. The most common of the hormones studied is progesterone.

General description of the hormone

Progesterone is produced by the female yellow body, which is formed in the ovary immediately after the release of the egg. It is worth saying that without this substance, the onset of pregnancy is impossible. That is why so often this is the research of this hormone.

Immediately after ovulation, a gradual increase in progesterone production begins. If the pregnancy has occurred, the norms of progesterone for weeks of development of the fetus increase, respectively. In the case when conception did not take place, the level of substance decreases, and the woman begins a new cycle.

Progesterone at day 21 of the cycle

It is worth saying that almost always the analysis for the study of this hormone is appointed exactly three weeks from the first day of the last month. Why at this particular time?

Normally, a woman with a 28-day menstrual cycle ovulation occurs two weeks from the first day of menstruation. Progesterone is produced immediately after ovulation. However, it achieves its highest concentration only one week after the release of the egg, that is, on the seventh day. Using the elementary addition, you can get the following conclusion: two weeks before ovulation plus one week after it, the result is exactly three weeks, that is 21 days.

At the onset of pregnancy, the level of this hormone does not decrease after the designated day, but, on the contrary, starts to rise. So, what is the norm of progesterone on day 21 of the cycle and in case of pregnancy?

Progesterone in healthy women:

• Before ovulation - from 0.32 to 2.23 nmol / l;
• During ovulation - from 0.48 to 9.41 nmol / l;
• After ovulation - from 6.99 to 56.53 nmol / l.

Pregnant women:

• In the first trimester - from 8.90 to 468.40 nmol / l;
• In the second trimester - from 71.55 to 303.10 nmol / l;
• In the third trimester - from 88.70 to 771.50 nmol / l.

When taking oral contraceptives and in the anovulatory cycle, the norm of progesterone on day 21 of the cycle is much lower.

Possible deviations

Every woman can have different deviations as a result of the analysis. The level of progesterone can be either higher or much lower than the required level. What does this mean?

Level up

Progesterone is higher than normal in the following cases:

• With the progression of pregnancy;
• During menstrual irregularities and uterine bleeding;
• With a large cyst of the yellow body;
• During the disruption of the kidneys and, possibly, the adrenal glands.

If during the gestation of the child the level of the hormone is greatly increased, this may indicate the abnormal functioning of the placenta.

Lowering the level

Progesterone lower than normal, unfortunately, is very common. Its low result speaks of:

• Violations of the female cycle and frequent bleeding;
• Frequent anovulatory cycles;
• Inflammatory processes in the pelvis.

In pregnancy, a drop in hormone levels may indicate a threat of miscarriage or embryo development.

Correction

In the event that you have passed progesterone for 21 days, the norm is not found, and significant deviations are revealed, it is necessary to make the appropriate correction. Since there is no specific drug for treatment, the doctor prescribes taking additional progesterone in the second phase of the cycle to women planning a pregnancy. If the lady is not going to acquire offspring in the near future, she will most likely be offered oral contraceptives, which will normalize the work of the ovaries and restore the normal production of the hormone.

When to take the test?

Usually this study is assigned to women when they contact a doctor with certain complaints. It can also be carried out by self-referral to a private laboratory.

In the case of a prolonged absence of pregnancy, under the condition of regular sexual life, this analysis is assigned. In this case, the individual rate of progesterone is examined on day 21 of the cycle. This analysis should be carried out for several months, only in this case it will be possible to say about the presence or absence of pathology.

Also, the study is administered to women with irregular monthly, frequent bleeding and scant discharge. In this case, the analysis is recommended after a certain number of days. Only in this way the doctor will be able to track how the level of the hormone changes, and make its verdict.

An analysis to determine the amount of progesterone can be given to pregnant women. Usually, the reason for it is frequent pain in the lower segment of the abdomen, unusual discharge from the genital tract and suspicion of an undeveloped pregnancy. In this case, there is no fundamental difference when and at what time to take a blood test for progesterone (hormone). The rate in women can increase daily in the first trimester of pregnancy. It should be noted that in the second and third trimesters such an analysis can be assigned to determine the placenta condition.

Since in most cases the doctor appoints a standard day for the study, an unreliable result can be obtained. As already mentioned, a week after ovulation reaches its peak progesterone (hormone). The norm in women with a short or long cycle may not fit into these standards.

For example, a representative of the weaker sex has a regular cycle of 32 days. This is a variant of the norm and does not require treatment. After making the calculations, we can establish that the ovulation of the lady comes about on the 18th day of the cycle. Given that the analysis will be assigned to her on day 21, from the moment of ovulation by this time will only be 3 days. In this case, as a result, the woman will receive a significantly underestimated level of the hormone studied. That is why before the appointment of the analysis the doctor must take into account the length of the female cycle.

How to take the test?

Before the study is not recommended to be nervous and expose your body to stress. Also for a few days, it is necessary to stop using hormonal drugs. The night before the test, it is good to sleep and be rested.

Before taking the material it is not recommended to eat and drink caffeinated drinks. For a few hours you need to refrain from smoking.

The blood test is taken primarily from the vein. Manipulation is carried out fairly quickly and almost painlessly. You can get the result in a few hours in a private clinic. Or a few days later in a public medical institution.

After obtaining the result, you can independently study the norms and check with your data. If there are any abnormalities, it is necessary to contact the doctor for the appointment of qualified treatment.

If you receive incorrect data, you can retake the analysis in the next cycle. Sometimes there are errors in the study. Especially with strong deviations from the norm and in case of necessity of carrying out of treatment experts strongly recommend repeated research.

Watch the level of hormones in your body and stay healthy!