Progesterone is one of the leading sex hormones in females, and it plays a vital role in preparing your body for a potential pregnancy. A progesterone blood test is a test that can show you if you have ovulated or not at a particular time in your menstrual cycle.
What is a Progesterone Day 21 Ovulation Test?
A Progesterone Day 21 Ovulation Test, also called a progesterone blood test, is used to check your progesterone levels at a particular time in your menstrual cycle. If you measure your progesterone levels 21 days into your period, when they are expected to peak, then you should be able to tell whether you have ovulated or not. If your progesterone levels are low when you take the test, this will suggest that you haven’t ovulated (produced an egg) and so you won’t be able to get pregnant that month.
Who should take a Progesterone Day 21 Ovulation Test?
You may find a progesterone day 21 ovulation test helpful if:
- You are trying to get pregnant
- You are tracking your menstrual cycle and want to find out when you are ovulating
- You have a condition such as PCOS (Polycystic Overy Syndrome), which can affect your periods and ovulation.
When should you take a Progesterone Day 21 Ovulation Test?
On average, the menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but not everyone will follow the same 28-day process. So, although the test is referred to as a day 21 ovulation test, it is best to do it seven days before your period is due. Not all menstrual cycles are regular either, so if you have irregular periods, a suggested approach would be to:
- do a blood test on day 21 of your cycle
- repeat the test every seven days until your next period starts
How should I prepare for a Progesterone Day 21 Blood Test?
The Test2Go Progesterone Day 21 test is a home test kit requiring a finger prick blood sample to be provided. All sample collection and return instructions are provided within the kit. After you have collected the sample, you should return it to our accredited labs for analysis, and you will receive your results in as little as two working days. Some medications can affect the results of this test, including oestrogen and progesterone supplements and hormonal contraceptives such as the oral contraceptive pill, injection or implant.
What do the results of this test mean?
There can be several reasons your result is not in the normal range. If your results are in the low range, this could be due to:
- menopause – your progesterone levels will drop naturally as you reach menopause
- a miscarriage
- non-ovulation – which can also happen if you did your test at the wrong time of the month
If your progesterone levels are high, this could be due to pregnancy, or you may have an ovarian cyst. NB. It is important to note that our tests are not a substitute for seeing a doctor, particularly if you have symptoms. You should not make a diagnosis or start any treatment without a consultation with a doctor or a suitably trained health professional.
Check your progesterone levels at home
Find out whether you have ovulated or not with our at-home Progesterone Day 21 Ovulation test. Shop now