Progesterone

Brand Names

Progesterone, First Progesterone MC10, First Progesterone MC5, Progest, Prometrium

What is Progesterone

Progesterone is a female hormone vital for the regulation process of ovulation and menstruation. Progesterone works to cause menstrual periods in women who have not yet reached menopause, but are not having periods due to progesterone deficiency in the body. It can also be used for preventing overgrowth in the lining of the uterus in postmenopausal women who are receiving estrogen with the help of hormone replacement therapy.

Side effects of Progesterone

The most common side effects of Progesterone may include:

• headache
• breast tenderness or pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• tiredness
• muscle, joint or bone pain
• mood swings
• irritability
• excessive worrying
• runny nose
• sneezing
• cough
• vaginal discharge
• problems urinating

If you have noticed the following serious side effects, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible:

• breast lumps
• migraine headache
• severe dizziness or faintness
• slow or difficult speech
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• lack of coordination or loss of balance
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• sharp chest pain
• coughing up blood
• leg swelling or pain
• loss of vision or blurred vision
• bulging eyes
• double vision
• unexpected vaginal bleeding
• shaking hands that you cannot control
• seizures
• stomach pain or swelling
• depression
• hives
• skin rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• hoarseness

Indication

Progesterone is a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy commonly consists of estrogen which is used to treat symptoms of menopause and decline the risk of developing certain diseases.

In some cases, estrogen can be resulted in abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus. It also increases the risk of developing uterine cancer. Progesterone is used for preventing this thickening and reducing the risk of developing uterine cancer.

Progesterone is also used to cause menstruation in women who have had normal periods and then stopped menstruating.

Precautions

You should not use Progesterone if you have:

• a history of breast cancer
• abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked
• liver disease
• if you are pregnant
• if you have had a stroke, heart attack or blood clot within the past year
• heart disease, circulation problems
• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as smoking, being overweight and having
• high blood pressure or high cholesterol)
• migraines
• asthma
• kidney disease
• seizures or epilepsy
• a history of depression
• diabetes

Dosage forms

Adult dose of Progesterone for Amenorrhea

You should use 5 -10 mg IM for 6-8 consecutive days or take 400 mg orally for 10 days in the evening.

Secondary Amenorrhea: 90 mg intravaginally, 4% gel, every other day for a total of 6 doses. You may increase the dose up to the 8% gel every other day for a total of 6 doses if needed.

Adult dose of Progesterone for Uterine bleeding is 5-10 mg IM daily for 6 doses.

Adult dose of Progesterone for Endometrial Hyperplasia -- Prophylaxis: 200 mg orally for 12 consecutive days, per 28 day cycle.

Adult dose of Progesterone for Progesterone insufficiency

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) - Gel:

The recommended dose for women who require supplementation is 90 mg of the 8% gel.

For women with partial or complete ovarian failure who require replacement, the recommended dose is 90 mg of the 8% gel, twice daily intravaginally. If pregnancy occurs, therapy with the intravaginal gel may be continued until placental autonomy is achieved, up to 10-12 weeks.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) - Vaginal Insert:

100 mg administered vaginally 2-3 times daily starting at oocyte retrieval and continuing for up to 10 weeks total duration.

Progesterone deficiency associated with menopause and perimenopause: progesterone 1.7% topical cream: rub 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon into the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or other soft areas of skin once or twice daily.

Adult dose of Progesterone for Premature labor:

To prevent recurrent preterm delivery in women at high risk: 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) 250 mg IM once weekly starting on the 21st week of gestation through time of delivery or week 36 of gestation.

To reduce incidence of spontaneous preterm birth in women at increased risk: 100 mg vaginal suppository daily, between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.

Adult dose of Progesterone for Perimenopausal symptoms: progesterone 1.7% topical cream. You should rub 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful into the palms of the hands, soles of feet or other soft area once or twice daily.