Discontinuing Progesterone Supplementation After Negative Pregnancy Test
Yes, you can discontinue progesterone supplementation tonight. With a negative pregnancy test 13-14 days post-LH surge, pregnancy is effectively ruled out, and continuing progesterone serves no therapeutic purpose.
Timing of Discontinuation
- Stop progesterone immediately upon confirming a negative pregnancy test at 13-14 days post-LH surge, as there is no benefit to continuing supplementation when pregnancy has not occurred 1
- The corpus luteum naturally undergoes luteolysis (breakdown) around day 14 after ovulation in non-pregnant cycles, with progesterone levels dropping below the threshold of approximately 2 ng/ml 2
- Exogenous progesterone supplementation is only beneficial when there is documented corpus luteum insufficiency or in specific fertility treatment contexts (such as IVF cycles), neither of which applies to your situation 1
Expected Timing of Menstruation
You should expect your period within 2-7 days after stopping progesterone, with most women menstruating within 3-5 days.
Physiological Basis for Timing
- Withdrawal bleeding occurs when progesterone levels drop below the threshold needed to maintain the endometrial lining 3
- In natural cycles, menstruation typically begins 12-14 days after the LH surge when the corpus luteum regresses 2
- After stopping exogenous progesterone, the endometrium sheds similarly to the hormone-free interval in combined oral contraceptives, where bleeding typically starts 2-3 days after hormone withdrawal 3
Factors Affecting Your Specific Timeline
- With your 32-day cycle, you are already at approximately day 20-21 (assuming ovulation occurred around day 18-19, which is typical for a 32-day cycle)
- Your endometrium has been maintained by progesterone supplementation beyond the natural luteal phase duration
- Once you stop progesterone tonight, expect menstruation to begin within 2-7 days, most likely around days 3-5 after discontinuation
Important Considerations
- If bleeding does not occur within 7 days of stopping progesterone, repeat a pregnancy test to definitively rule out pregnancy, as false negatives can occasionally occur 4
- The bleeding you experience may be slightly different in character (heavier or lighter) than your typical menstrual period due to the artificial progesterone support 3
- This withdrawal bleed will reset your cycle, and you can expect your next ovulation approximately 14 days before your subsequent period (around day 18 of your next cycle, given your 32-day pattern)