Ectopic pregnancy

Low progesterone levels linked to ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is usually suggested by the typical triad of a positive pregnancy test, pain, and vaginal spotting.

According to a study done by Dr. Buckley and colleagues and published in 2000 (Ann Emerg Med 2000 Aug;36(2):95-100), they concluded that all patients with an ectopic pregnancy had a progesterone level below 22 ng/ml.

Of the patients with a progesterone level below 22 ng/ml, 10% had an ectopic pregnancy, but none of the patients with progesterone over 22 had an ectopic pregnancy. Of the patients who did not have an ectopic pregnancy, 73% had a progesterone level below 22 ng/ml.