Cycle-phase-critical reproductive hormone with implications for sleep, mood, and GABAergic tone.
Progesterone is produced primarily by the corpus luteum after ovulation in premenopausal women, and in smaller quantities by the adrenal glands in both sexes. Mid-luteal progesterone >10 ng/mL is the classic lab confirmation of ovulation. In postmenopause, levels drop to baseline.
Beyond reproductive function, progesterone metabolites (allopregnanolone) act on GABA-A receptors — this is why progesterone withdrawal drives PMS-type symptoms and why some women sleep better on luteal-phase progesterone.
Progesterone is influenced by: cycle phase (timing of draw matters enormously), ovulation status, pregnancy (rises dramatically), stress (cortisol competes for the progesterone precursor), and exogenous progesterone supplementation. Always note cycle day on the lab slip.
Timing is everything — a "low" progesterone drawn on day 3 is expected. Mid-luteal (approximately day 21 of a 28-day cycle, or 7 days after confirmed ovulation) is the useful assessment. Peri- and postmenopausal supplementation protocols are a clinical conversation.
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Start tracking →Informational only — not medical advice. Reference ranges vary by lab and individual context. Work with a licensed provider to interpret your specific results.