21 day progesterone test question - help!

"Most women ov 12 - 16 days before their period, with 14 days being average"

Unfortunately the above assertion made is not correct. Ovulation is not an exact science and women can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.

Only around 12% of all women have a 28 day cycle; the "normal" range for cycles is between 21 and 35 days or with less than 4 days of variation from month to month.

As I had no real cycle to speak of I had my day 2 and day 21 tests done according to calendar days. The day 21 is a standard test done, if it is done a couple of days "later" than day 21 it should not make any overall difference to the final result (they like to see a value of 30 or above re this test). I would aim to have this test choc done around day 23/24 (particularly if the day 21 falls over a weekend).

Do not just rely on the day 21. You should have day 2 tests to check and compare both your LH and FSH levels as well. If your progesterone is out of sync then chances are the LH and FSH are out of sync too.

What cycle day do you normally peak on, assuming your cycle is usually regular?

Chocolate Yep you are right. The test should be carried out 7 days before your period is due. Have just checked with DH - he's a GP.

MummyAbroad is correct that in a perfect scenario the test is most accurate 7 days after you ovulate, but as she says not everybody knows when this is.

Most women ov 12 - 16 days before their period, with 14 days being average. Therefore, 7 days before your period should be 7 days after you ovulate or thereabout.

As you have a 31 day cycle, book in for day 24, or as close as you can get.

I had a 28 day cycle on the month I was tested so I booked in for day 21, however I know that I actually ovulated on day 16 (I get Mittelschmerz and this was also the day after I got an LH surge on an OPK). I was tested on day 21, which was actually only 5 dpo. My result was fine at 39.1. It may have been higher if I'd been tested on day 23, but it didn't actually matter that I was technically 2 days out.

HTH.

hi, i've had mine done on day 23 and my cycle averages to be 31 days.

hi, i've had mine done on day 23 and my cycle averages to be 31 days.

I think you are right - I seem to remember that my gp recommended I aim for 23rd day due to my cycle length (got BFP the same month, so fingers crossed for you :))

Hi
I've had this done in November and as my cycle is incredibly long (51 days at last count!) my doctor said to test at my '21st day' which worked out at day 44! As she said that obviation should be 7 days before af was due. As she's been my dr since birth and knows I'm not the most patient patient(!) so i would push to be referred asap when I knew her limits

Just keep on at your doctor and double check if your not sure.

Hth x

My doctor said she'd try it on day 21 this month but if there wasn't a result then we'd try a bit later next month. We did look at my cycle lengths though and worked it out.

Ideally it should be 7 days after you ovulate. That would be day 21 if you are "textbook" and ovulate on day 14.

If your cycle is a bit longer than the textbook 28 days, chances are you ovulate later too, so you could go in a few days later. If you do know exactly when you ovulate, then go in 7 days after that.

Hope that helps