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HORMONE BIOMARKER

Progesterone

Progesterone

The optimal range for Progesterone (Progesterone) is commonly cited as Mid-luteal >10 ng/mL indicates ovulation; optimal varies by phase, tighter than the standard lab reference range of Follicular <1 ng/mL; Luteal 2–25 ng/mL; Postmenopausal <0.5. Cycle-phase-critical reproductive hormone with implications for sleep, mood, and GABAergic tone.

STANDARD RANGE
Follicular <1 ng/mL; Luteal 2–25 ng/mL; Postmenopausal <0.5
OPTIMAL (OPTIMIZATION)
Mid-luteal >10 ng/mL indicates ovulation; optimal varies by phase
RANGE VISUALIZATION

How Progesterone ranges relate

The standard lab range vs the optimization-focused target. Illustrative trajectory shows what a 12-week improvement pattern looks like — not real user data.

225STANDARD LAB RANGEOPTIMALWK 0WK 12ILLUSTRATIVE TRAJECTORY (NOT REAL DATA)
Standard lab rangeOptimization-focused targetIllustrative trajectory

What Progesterone Measures

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.

What Affects This Biomarker

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.

In the Context of Peptide Protocols

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.

Peptides That Commonly Move Progesterone

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Progesterone measure?

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.

What is the optimal range for Progesterone?

The optimal range for Progesterone is commonly cited as Mid-luteal >10 ng/mL indicates ovulation; optimal varies by phase. The standard lab reference range is Follicular <1 ng/mL; Luteal 2–25 ng/mL; Postmenopausal <0.5.

What affects Progesterone levels?

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.

Where This Fits in Your Panel

Progesterone is one marker on a fuller panel. The Peptide Blood Work Checklist lays out the complete baseline panel, what to add by protocol type, and when to retest.

See the full blood work checklist →
Track Progesterone over time.

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Last reviewed: June 2026

Informational only - not medical advice. Reference ranges vary by lab and individual context. Work with a licensed provider to interpret your specific results.