Does a Progesterone Level of 17.1 Indicate Pregnancy?
Question
I’ve been trying to conceive through ovulation timing for a year now. I was on Clomid for this month and my progesterone was checked after ovulation which was 17.1. I have a 31-34 day cycle.
Did the 17.1 level truly indicate pregnancy? What else could it indicate?
Priy
Answer
Last Updated: November 24, 2021
Dear Priya,
Your progesterone levels normally rise after ovulation. You do not say when this was taken relative to the timing of ovulation (early, mid, or late luteal phase), as they will vary during the postovulatory phase, but a level of 17.1ng/ml can just indicate that you are postovulatory, and is not necessarily indicative of pregnancy. If pregnant, the progesterone levels will continue to rise, rather than fall as they will if you have not conceived, precipitating the next menstrual flow.
Sheila St. John
Your progesterone levels normally rise after ovulation. You do not say when this was taken relative to the timing of ovulation (early, mid, or late luteal phase), as they will vary during the postovulatory phase, but a level of 17.1ng/ml can just indicate that you are postovulatory, and is not necessarily indicative of pregnancy. If pregnant, the progesterone levels will continue to rise, rather than fall as they will if you have not conceived, precipitating the next menstrual flow.
Sheila St. John
Answered By:
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, coordinating the non-profit’s education and advocacy efforts throughout the state. Initially attracted to NFP as a healthy, effective method for planning families, drug, device and surgery free, her passion for NFP has grown over the last 42 years as she has journeyed with the over 900 couples she has personally instructed in its use, and been privileged to witness its role in overcoming infertility, women’s health, and the transformation that occurs in lives of men, women, and families, when we embrace God’s design for love and life.
