Help with progesterone levels please

[laidir]

Something I'm puzzled about.

Is a progesterone blood test a definitive way to find out for sure if you have ovulated recently?

My cycle has went weird, and I have some symptoms of either my PCOS or peri. ):

Last cycle was long at 39 days. Previously was 29-33 for the 6 months or so previously (with ovulation I think at CD15-18). Currently on CD19 and still no positive opks or ewcm. If I get a blood progesterone test at say CD32, would this confirm for sure whether or not I have ovulated yet this cycle?

I guess my question is, for anyone who knows - is the progesterone level at 7 days after you think you should have ovulated, a definite answer? if it is 'low' that you have not (yet) ovulated in this cycle? or can peri or pcos cause raised progesterone?

I saw a cheap-ish progesterone at home blood test for £39, are these accurate?

Thanks

Progesterone blood tests, from what I remember should be taken on day 21 of your cycle.
So if you have a normal 28 day cycle, the blood test should be done bang on the 3 week or 21 day mark.
My cycles were never regular so the first time I had a progesterone test it came back with an abnormally low reading, meaning it didnt confirm ovulation (or so the GP told me).
If your cycles are longer, the day on which you test needs to be adjusted. So for me, my cycle was average of 35days long. I went for bloods on day 28.
Again I got a low result which then lead to me being referred for fertility advice.

I was advised that the test couldnt confirm ovulation, except I was tracking ovulation using Clear Blue sticks and basal body temperature readings so I know when it happened.
Low results can be because you havent ovulated, arent producing a sufficient amount of progesterone or have hormone imbalances. Could be due to high BMI, stress etc as well.
Not sure how PCOS affects it to be fair.

Your GP can refer for a 21 day test but mine only did once I had an array of other tests first and my husband had been tested too.

@JungleRun21 Thank you so much for this info. Tbh I don't expect GP to be very helpful.

My cycles have been between 29-33 days the past 6 months until last month when it was 39 days. I have also had irregular periods before and I have PCOS. So yeah - the day 21 I don't think will be reliable for me. I am thinking to do the test privately on day 32 this cycle if I still haven't got a positive opk or a period. I'm just not sure if it will be accurate at telling if I have ovulated, even as a snapshot.

What was the outcome for you?

I dont think it is that helpful when your cycles vary from one month to another.
You wont know for sure when your 'day 21' is without tracking and getting a positive OPK.

Personally I would try the Clear Blue ovulation tests. They are alot more expensive but they are the only way I got a positive.
They give an indication as to when youre starting to become fertile so that will help.
Maybe try temperature recordings too and that will generally confirm ovulation too.
I used an app called Fertility Friend and that gave me lots of info and charts etc. There is a basic and paid for version.

The outcome for me was positive. After trying unsuccessfully for 3 years, we were referred for a fertility apppintment and i found out I was pregnant.
I would never have know when i ovulated if it wasnt for the monitoring i did i dont think.