Progesterone Levels Explained: What Every Woman Should Know | Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith

Progesterone is one of the most important reproductive hormones in a woman's body, yet there is often confusion about what progesterone levels actually mean and whether they should be measured. In this video, I explain what progesterone is, how it is produced, how levels change throughout a woman's reproductive life, and why interpreting a progesterone blood test is often more complex than many people realize. We'll discuss: ✔️ The role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and reproductive health ✔️ How progesterone levels change from the reproductive years through perimenopause and menopause ✔️ The normal rise and fall of progesterone during a menstrual cycle ✔️ Why progesterone levels can vary dramatically from day to day in perimenopause ✔️ Common signs and symptoms associated with declining or fluctuating progesterone ✔️ When progesterone testing may provide useful information—and when it may not ✔️ Why symptoms and clinical context are often more informative than a single laboratory value One of the most important concepts to understand is that progesterone is not a static hormone. Its levels change throughout the cycle and can fluctuate significantly during perimenopause, making a single blood test difficult to interpret in many situations. My goal is to help you better understand the physiology of progesterone so you can make more informed decisions about your health and have more productive conversations with your healthcare provider. 💻 Interested in booking an appointment? Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter... ✨ Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith is a Board-certified Gynecologist and Certified Menopause Practitioner with over 25 years of experience in women's health, specializing in women's midlife wellness hormonal optimization and sexual wellness. She is the founder of Complete Midlife Wellness Center in Houston TX, and author of “Sexually Woke- awaken the secrets to your best sex life in midlife and beyond”. She also hosts the popular podcast and YouTube channel “Empowering Midlife Wellness”. Earlier in her career, she founded Complete Women's Care Center, which became the largest all-female Ob/Gyn group in the country. Dr. Susan is the recipient of the Texas SuperDoctor award over 15 times, as well as a multiple time recipient of H-Texas magazine’s Top Doctor and Top Doctor for Women awards. She's also been chosen as one of Houston's “three best rated gynecologists” for multiple consecutive years Dr. Susan is also an ICF certified life and leadership coach, multiple time marathoner and IronMan triathlete, and a mother of three young adults. 🫴 Follow me on social media: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3guuEg4 Facebook: https://bit.ly/300hzbW Podcast: https://apple.co/3ePe5NJ TikTok: https://bit.ly/3VaLBAW 👀 Learn more about me: https://drsusan.com/ 📚 Get my best-selling book, Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyond: https://amzn.to/3rm47IU ❗ DISCLAIMER Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical or mental health condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program.