Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries during release of a mature egg from an ovary (ovulation). The purpose of a progesterone test is to measure the quantity of the hormone progesterone in a blood sample. The purpose of such hormone as progesterone is to fertilize egg implant. It prepares the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive the egg as soon as it gets fertilized by a sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels decrease and menstrual bleeding starts.
During pregnancy, it is observed that the placenta also produces high levels of progesterone. Progesterone begins its production at the end of the first trimester and lasts to the delivery of the baby. Levels of progesterone in a pregnant woman are observed to be about 10 times higher than in an impregnate woman. The possible causes for abnormal progesterone levels in men and women are certain types of cancer.
The purpose of a progesterone test is:
1) To find out why infertility occurs.
2) To control the effectiveness of medications taken for infertility or the effectiveness of treatment where progesterone is used.
3) To find out the cause of ovulation.
4) To find out if there is any possibility of miscarriage.
5) To control the function of the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy.
6) To diagnose problems connected with the adrenal glands and some types of cancer.
Before having a progesterone test you should do the following things:
1) You should give up consuming medications (among them there are birth control pills) that contain estrogen or progesterone for a period to 4 weeks before having a progesterone test.
2) Inform your doctor if you have had a test conducted with a radioactive substance (tracer) within the last 7 days. If you have recently passed tests such as a thyroid scan or bone scan conducted with a radioactive tracer, they can influence with the test results.
3) Inform your doctor about the first day of your last menstrual period.
If you observe that your bleeding pattern is light or starts with spotting, the first day is considered to be the day of heaviest bleeding.
4) You should consult your doctor if you have any concerns about the necessity of the test, its possible risks, its procedure and possible results. You are recommended to fill out the medical test.
The procedure of a progesterone test is conducted in such an order:
1) The first thing you should do is to wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to prevent the further flow of blood.
2) Wrapping an arm leads to the liger size of the veins below the band, that’s why it is better to insert a needle into the vein.
3) Disinfect the sharp side of needle with alcohol.
4) Insert the needle into the vein. It is recommended to have more than one needle stick. Then you should put a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
5) As soon as the process of blood collection is over, you should take away the band from your arm.
6) As soon as you take away the needle, put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site.
7) Then you should use pressure to the site and then a bandage. 8) Women with problems with her menstrual cycle and those who are unable to get pregnant, it is recommended to have more than one blood sample for progesterone testing that are necessary for the identification of the problem. It is advised to take a sample every day during some days.
When the doctor insert a needle, it can be hardly noticeable or you may feel a brief sting or pinch at the moment of the needle’s pinching the skin. A stinging pain at the moment of the needle being in the vein can be available among some people. No pain or little discomfort is the most common things when the needle is inserted in the vein.
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