What Is a Normal Female Progesterone Level?

By Sarah P. | Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Like estrogen levels, progesterone levels are known to change rapidly and unpredictably. Whether you are pregnant, in the midst of your menstrual cycle, or in menopause, progesterone levels fluctuate in order to accompany your body through different stages in life. With this in mind, a universal normal female progesterone level does not exist, as levels vary from woman to woman. This being said, extreme highs or lows of progesterone can be indicative of a problem, so it is important to identify when progesterone is at an acceptable level and when it is not.

What Should a Woman's Progesterone Level Be?

The appropriate level of progesterone in a woman's body depends on what stage of life she is experiencing. If a woman is pregnant, then the progesterone level in her body should be quite high. If she is going through her menstrual cycle, it will also differ (progesterone levels tend to spike around the time of ovulation).

Look at the chart below concerning normal female progesterone levels.

Pregnant

1st trimester
11.2 - 90.0 ng/mL
2nd trimester
25.6 - 89.4 ng/mL
3rd trimester
48.4 - 422.5 ng/mL
Follicular phase
0.2 - 1.4 ng/mL
Mid-luteal phase
4.4 - 28.0 ng/mL
Postmenopausal
less than 0.7 ng/mL

What Are the Symptoms Related to Progesterone Imbalance?

Although there are many symptoms related to progesterone imbalance, it is possible that only a few of these may be present when a woman is not at her normal female progesterone level. Below is list of symptoms that indicate that progesterone levels may be imbalanced:

Breast tenderness is a symptom associated with progesterone imbalance
  • Acne and greasy skin
  • Weight gain
  • Decreased libido
  • Bloating
  • Hot flashes
  • Breast tenderness
  • Headaches
  • Incontinence
  • Urinary infections
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Recommendations

A stated above, the normal female progesterone level does not exist. The norm largely depends on what stage you are in your menstrual cycle, in pregnancy, or in menopause. Often the normal female progesterone levels depend on a woman's specific physical chemistry, meaning that women have higher or lower levels due to biological differences.

Any sign of a fluctuation in female progesterone levels should be followed up by a gynecologist

Any sign of a fluctuation in normal female progesterone level should be met by a trip to a woman's doctor. From here, there are numerous tests that can be preformed to check any sign of a hormonal imbalance. When considering how best to treat or prevent an imbalance, it is important to remember that regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to maintain a healthy body.

This article gives many helpful tips on progesterone and what a woman should check for when there is a progesterone imbalance. For more information about progesterone, follow the link below.

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