Are you ovulating? A Day 21 progesterone test is the gold standard for confirming ovulation. Progesterone rises after ovulation, testing at the right time gives you a clear answer. Low progesterone is a common, correctable cause of infertility and early miscarriage.
Progesterone (P4) is produced by the corpus luteum, the remnant of the follicle after ovulation. A mid-luteal progesterone level confirms that ovulation occurred and measures the quality of the luteal phase. It also rises dramatically in early pregnancy, making it invaluable for monitoring viability.
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Confirm Ovulation
A mid-luteal progesterone >10 ng/mL confirms ovulation occurred. >20 ng/mL indicates a robust luteal phase. Low mid-luteal P4 means either no ovulation or poor quality ovulation, a common, treatable cause of infertility.
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Early Pregnancy Monitoring
Progesterone supports the uterine lining and prevents miscarriage in early pregnancy. Rising P4 with hCG indicates a progressing pregnancy. Falling or low P4 with spotting raises concern for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
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Luteal Phase Deficiency & PCOS
Inadequate progesterone in the second half of the cycle causes irregular periods, spotting before menstruation, and difficulty sustaining early pregnancy. Common in PCOS. Progesterone supplementation can correct this.
When to Test
Five Reasons to Check Your Ovulation & Progesterone Level
01
Difficulty Conceiving
If you've been trying to conceive for 6–12 months without success, ovulation testing is one of the first steps, confirming whether ovulation is occurring and if the luteal phase is adequate.
02
Recurrent Early Miscarriage
Two or more early pregnancy losses require investigation. Low progesterone in early pregnancy is a correctable factor. Testing at 5–6 weeks gestation (with serial levels) guides progesterone support therapy.
03
Irregular Periods or Spotting
Luteal phase deficiency causes short cycles, mid-cycle spotting, or premenstrual spotting. A day-21 progesterone distinguishes between anovulation and poor ovulation quality.
04
Monitoring Fertility Treatment
During IVF, IUI, or ovulation induction with clomiphene, progesterone levels confirm the trigger injection worked (ovulation occurred) and guide luteal support dosing.
05
Spotting in Early Pregnancy
Progesterone measured with serial hCG clarifies whether a threatened miscarriage is progressing normally. Rapidly falling progesterone with falling hCG signals pregnancy loss.
Progesterone Reference Ranges
Follicular phase
<1 ng/mL
Ovulation confirmed
>10 ng/mL
Good luteal phase
>20 ng/mL
Early pregnancy
11–90 ng/mL
⚕️ Timing is everything: a progesterone drawn on the wrong day of the cycle is uninterpretable. We guide you on when to test based on your cycle length.
Preparation
How to Prepare for Your Ovulation Test
Timing your ovulation test correctly is more important than almost anything else about the test itself.
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Test on Day 21 (28-day Cycle)
For ovulation confirmation, test 7 days before your expected period: Day 21 for a 28-day cycle. For longer cycles (e.g., 35 days), test on Day 28. We calculate this together at the clinic.
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Morning Sample Preferred
Like most steroid hormones, progesterone shows some diurnal variation. A morning sample before 10am gives the most consistent results, especially for serial monitoring across cycles.
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Inform Us About Progesterone Supplements
If you're already taking oral, vaginal, or injectable progesterone (Cyclogest, Utrogestan, Prolutex), your serum level will be artificially elevated. Tell us before the test so results are interpreted correctly.
Why Choose Us
Trusted Ovulation Testing in Akoka & Beyond
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Cycle Timing Guidance
We help you identify the right day to test based on your cycle length and history. A result drawn on the wrong day is worthless. We get it right the first time.
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Paired with Full Hormonal Panel
Progesterone is most meaningful alongside LH, FSH, and estradiol. We can run a complete day-3 and day-21 panel to give your doctor the full ovarian cycle picture.
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Serial Monitoring Across Cycles
Infertility investigations often require progesterone across multiple cycles. Consistent lab methodology across visits means your trend data is clinically reliable.
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Completely Confidential
Fertility and early pregnancy investigations are deeply personal. Your results are handled with absolute discretion and explained to you compassionately.
"I had two miscarriages and no one could explain why. Mascot Healthcare tested my progesterone on day 21. It was very low, confirming poor ovulation quality. My gynaecologist started progesterone support and I carried my next pregnancy to term."
Prices change, so we don't print them on this page. The current price is on our live price list, or call 0816 586 6252 to ask.
When are you open?
Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We are closed on Sundays and Nigerian public holidays.
How should I prepare?
See our test and scan preparation guide. Good to know for this test: Cycle timing is critical; Day 21 for ovulation check. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp before you come.
Can I come here in an emergency?
No. We don't handle emergencies. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding or any other emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 112.
Do you accept HMO or health insurance?
Not at the moment. You pay at the clinic by cash, card, POS or bank transfer.