---
title: Does taking progesterone by suppository increase progesterone in the blood?
description: Yes, but less so over time. On the first day, progesterone levels rose clearly after taking the suppository. By day 8 of treatment, the rise was smaller.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/serum-progesterone-levels-following-vaginal-administration-of-progesterone-1987/
---

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- Does taking progesterone by suppository increase progesterone in the blood?

Survey study, 1987

# Does taking progesterone by suppository increase progesterone in the blood?

Yes, but less so over time. On the first day, progesterone levels rose clearly after taking the suppository. By day 8 of treatment, the rise was smaller.

 Early or limited evidence

4 women during the luteal phase of their cycle

## What they did

Researchers gave 4 women 400 mg progesterone vaginal suppositories during the second half of their menstrual cycle. They took blood samples before insertion and at five time points up to 8 hours after insertion on days 1 and 8 of treatment.

## What they found

On day 1, progesterone levels rose substantially from baseline. On day 8, the rise was smaller. There was a clear negative relationship between how much progesterone rose and how many days the women had been using suppositories.

## What it means for you

The body may become less responsive to the same dose of progesterone over time, but the exact reason is unclear. This was a very small study of only 4 women, so findings should be interpreted cautiously.

4

women

400 mg

progesterone dose

8 hours

blood sampling window

## About the study

Original title Serum progesterone levels following vaginal administration of progesterone during the luteal phase Authors Myers ER, Sondheimer SJ, Freeman EW et al. Journal Fertility and sterility Year 1987 Study design Survey study Participants 4 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49938-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49938-3)

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