Signs & Symptoms of High Progesterone in Pregnancy

Progesterone levels play a very important part of pregnancy. The levels of progesterone in your system can help determine ovulation, conception and conditions of pregnancy. Your levels of progesterone can help your caregiver determine specific times of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels will usually continue to rise during pregnancy. As your progesterone levels rise, it can also cause your body temperature to rise as well.

Early Pregnancy and High Levels of Progesterone

• In early pregnancy, it is completely natural for your progesterone levels to rise. They rise as the fetus grows. If you have high enough levels of progesterone, it may actually put you to sleep. Also, a high level of progesterone may make you become constipated because it slows the food moving through your intestines, making it harder to have a bowel movement.

  If you have an unusually high level of progesterone in early pregnancy, it may also mean that you're having multiples--twins or triplets. Sometimes increased levels of progesterone can indicate problems as well. Higher levels of progesterone can sometimes indicate ovarian cysts, molar pregnancies (non-viable pregnancies) and sometimes ovarian cancer.

Pregnancy and Low Progesterone Levels

• During pregnancy, some women will experience lower levels of progesterone. This usually indicates an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and can also help doctors monitor high-risk pregnancies. Low levels of progesterone is sometimes seen in women who have developed toxemia later in pregnancy. Sometimes lower levels of progesterone are often seen with miscarriages during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

What Are the Normal Ranges of Progesterone During Pregnancy

• Your progesterone levels will vary before pregnancy and during pregnancy. On average, your levels of progesterone before pregnancy will range from 1 to 28 ng/ml. From conception to 12 weeks of pregnancy, the normal range is usually 9 to 47 ng/ml. After your 12th week of pregnancy, the normal range of progesterone can be between 17 to 146 ng/ml. Once you've reached 28 weeks through birth, your progesterone levels can vary from 55 to 200 ng/ml. Your caregiver can order tests before and during your pregnancy to determine your levels.