Progesterone has many roles for both men and women. In women its primary function is to help the lining of the uterus accept a fertilized egg, so it spikes during ovulation. It also helps regulate menstruation because if the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels will decrease, and menstruation will begin. Progesterone also helps offset some of the effects of estrogen, which is important for men. In men progesterone helps stimulate sperm production.

The progesterone blood test, which measures the level of progesterone in the blood, is helpful for several reasons. It can help find the cause of infertility and monitor the effectiveness of infertility treatments. Measuring progesterone levels can help determine when the woman is ovulating and determine the optimal time for conception. The test can even assess a woman’s risk of having a miscarriage. Abnormal levels of progesterone can also indicate problems with the adrenal glands and certain cancers. 

Balancing estrogen and progesterone levels is a key component of healthy aging. When progesterone levels dip, men and women may experience decreased sleep, increased anxiety, imbalanced blood sugar and loss of bone density. When estrogen levels are higher than progesterone levels, men and women may experience health issues, including weight gain, cancer, fibroids, cysts, osteoporosis and depression. Men with high estrogen levels may have a loss of libido and prostate complications. Monitoring and balancing progesterone and estrogen levels with a progesterone supplementation can help control these health concerns.