High progesterone is natural during your menstrual cycle and in the early stages of pregnancy. Here are symptoms to look out for along with situations where high progesterone levels may require professional health care consultation.

High progesterone is natural during your menstrual cycle and in the early stages of pregnancy. Here are symptoms to look out for along with situations where high progesterone levels may require professional health care consultation.
High progesterone symptoms include fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms naturally occur during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle and throughout pregnancy. While usually normal, certain medical conditions or hormone treatments can cause abnormally high progesterone levels requiring medical attention.
Wondering how high progesterone differs from low progesterone? Read our complete comparison guide.
In some cases, progesterone levels can become too low or too high. While naturally high progesterone is usually not a cause for concern, there are certain situations, like medical conditions or hormonal drugs and treatments, that can lead to atypical progesterone levels. Here’s what you need to know about high progesterone symptoms and causes.
When does high progesterone naturally occur?
Progesterone levels increase naturally during the reproductive cycle. In the middle of your menstrual cycle, progesterone thickens the uterine lining. Want to understand how progesterone changes throughout your entire cycle? Reed the complete guide.
The corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone in the body. It’s a temporary gland that supports the early stages of pregnancy if conception occurs until the placenta is formed and takes over progesterone production. If it does not, the corpus luteum breaks down, reducing progesterone output and prompting menstruation.
If conception occurs, progesterone levels continue to climb to help the fertilized egg grow into a fetus. Progesterone levels reach their highest levels in the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40 of pregnancy).
High progesterone levels therefore occur naturally during pregnancy. The corpus luteum produces progesterone to support the growth of the egg. Progesterone levels protect the pregnancy by reducing uterine contractions and preventing ovulation, which stops menstruation. It also helps your breasts prepare for breastfeeding. Your body will produce around 10 times more progesterone when you’re pregnant than when you’re not.
Natural high progesterone symptoms to look out for
When your progesterone levels rise, you may experience a mix of emotional and physical changes known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, include:
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
- Depression
During pregnancy, you may continue to experience PMS symptoms in addition to early pregnancy symptoms, including:
- Food cravings
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Increased nipple sensitivity
Experiencing opposite symptoms like anxiety and irregular periods? You might have low progesterone instead. Learn more about low progesterone symptoms.
Atypical high progesterone symptoms and causes
While high progesterone levels are typical during pregnancy, there are some times when high progesterone levels are a result of medical issues or hormonal drugs. Here are instances where high progesterone levels may be abnormal, along with their symptoms.
Hormone therapy
Progesterone levels naturally decrease during perimenopause since you are no longer ovulating. As a result, healthcare professionals might recommend hormone therapy, which increases estrogen and progesterone levels to reduce symptoms of menopause. However, this can cause high progesterone symptoms including:
- Breast pain
- Dizziness
- Rapid weight gain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Headache
- Swelling of feet
MORE: What Are the Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone contraceptive
Some types of birth control can increase progesterone levels over time. They contain a synthetic form of progesterone called progestin.
The body reacts to progestin in the same way it does to progesterone, which halts ovulation by thickening the uterine lining so that the sperm is unlikely to reach the egg.
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
- Acne
Ovarian cysts
High progesterone can also be caused by ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled masses that can produce progesterone and estrogen. In particular, corpus luteum cysts, which grow on the corpus luteum, typically produce high progesterone levels.
These cysts are usually harmless, painless, and go away on their own. In rare cases, the cysts grow large enough that they interfere with ovary function or pregnancy and may require a healthcare professional to remove them.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare inherited genetic disorder. It affects the adrenal glands at the top of the kidneys, which control hormone production like testosterone and cortisol. CAH occurs because the body is missing certain enzymes it needs to produce these hormones, so you may either produce too much or not enough hormones. High progesterone levels can be a sign of late-onset CAH since progesterone cannot be converted into cortisol due to a missing enzyme.
CAH symptoms include:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Excessive facial or body hair
- Hair loss
- Infertility
This condition is not life-threatening, but seek out a healthcare provider for treatment.
Molar pregnancy
Molar pregnancy occurs when a non-viable, fertilized egg develops into a tumor rather than a fetus. Although the pregnancy is non-viable, the body will treat it as if it were, resulting in progesterone levels rising and the placenta being formed.
Symptoms of a molar pregnancy include:
- Nausea
- Bright red to dark brown vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Significant vaginal discharge
If molar pregnancy is left untreated, it has a high risk of accelerating into a type of cancer called choriocarcinoma. Reach out to your healthcare provider immediately for treatment.
High progesterone symptoms: The bottom line
High progesterone levels are a natural part of the reproductive system. Progesterone supports regular menstruation and is necessary for the growth of the fertilized egg into a fetus.
While high progesterone levels typically shouldn’t affect your health, you’ll likely experience PMS symptoms as a result of progesterone levels naturally rising in your menstrual cycle.
However, there are certain circumstances like hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, or underlying medical conditions that can trigger an increase in progesterone levels. The only way to measure progesterone levels is through a test, either by testing urine and measuring a progesterone metabolite like PdG or a blood test through your doctor. If you experience PMS symptoms outside of your cycle and are not pregnant, it’s important to consult your doctor.
How to Track Your Progesterone Levels
The only way to know if your progesterone is too high is through testing. Oova's at-home hormone kit lets you:
- Track daily progesterone levels throughout your cycle
- See exactly when progesterone rises after ovulation
- Identify if your symptoms correlate with high progesterone
- Share quantified data with your healthcare provider
Frequently Asked Questions About High Progesterone
What are the symptoms of high progesterone?
High progesterone symptoms include fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, anxiety, depression, headaches, and food cravings. During pregnancy, you may also experience increased nipple sensitivity and muscle aches.
Is high progesterone a sign of pregnancy?
Yes, high progesterone is one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy. Progesterone levels rise significantly after conception to support the developing embryo and reach their peak during the third trimester.
Can high progesterone cause weight gain?
Yes, elevated progesterone can cause temporary weight gain through water retention and bloating. This is a normal part of the luteal phase and early pregnancy.
When should I be concerned about high progesterone?
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience high progesterone symptoms outside your luteal phase when not pregnant, or if symptoms include severe pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or rapid weight gain while on hormone therapy.
How do you test progesterone levels?
Progesterone can be measured through blood tests at your doctor's office or at-home urine tests that measure PdG (a progesterone metabolite). Testing is typically done during the luteal phase, about 7 days after ovulation.
Can high progesterone prevent pregnancy?
No, high progesterone doesn't prevent pregnancy, in fact, it's essential for maintaining pregnancy. However, if progesterone is abnormally high due to certain medical conditions, it may indicate underlying issues that could affect fertility.
What causes high progesterone when not pregnant?
High progesterone when not pregnant can be caused by hormonal birth control, ovarian cysts (especially corpus luteum cysts), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), or hormone replacement therapy. Testing is needed to determine the cause.
About the author

Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Progesterone.
- Eunice Shriver Kennedy National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2017). What are some common signs of pregnancy?
- Kassel, Gabrielle. (2023). Why Do Birth Control Pills Contain Progesterone?
- Medline Plus. (2024.) Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives.
- Medline Plus. (2022). Progesterone Test.
About the Oova Blog:
Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.


