Progesterone is a naturally and synthetically produced female hormone with several functions in the body, including reproductive and postmenopausal health. Progesterone is part of a larger class of female hormones called progestogens, including those used to prevent prevent pregnancy. Progesterone was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1976 and has been studied extensively in clinical trials and post-marketing research. Progesterone affects the body differently depending on the condition it is taken for, the dose and whether it is take alone or with other hormones such as estrogen.
Desired Effects
Progesterone is indicated for several reproductive and postmenopausal conditions. According Drugs.com, these include absent menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, progesterone supplementation for reproductive assistance, reduction in the thickening of the uterine walls and to support the implantation of the embryo. Drugs.com also states that some of the naturally occurring functions of progesterone include the prevention of ovulation, protein production in the uterine walls and the receptivity of embryonic implantation. According to Dr. Steven Goldstein from the New York School of Medicine, progesterone also encourages growth of the milk-producing glands in the breasts during pregnancy.
Side Effects
Patients taking progesterone have also experienced several side effects. According to Drugs.com, the most common side effect is breast enlargement, occurring in 40 percent of women. Another 27 percent of patients have experienced daytime sleepiness and constipation. Dizziness occurs in around 24 percent of patients. Other common side effects include nervousness, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, cramps and musculosketetal pain. Side effects can vary significantly depending on the condition progesterone was prescribed for, and patients should consult their physician about the specific side effects they may be experiencing.
Warnings and Precautions
There are also several warnings and precautions regarding the effects of progesterone. Drugs.com states that women should not take progesterone for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This is because progesterone may increase the risk of heart attacks, invasive breast cancer and blood clots. There is also an increased risk for age-dependent cognitive impairment, called dementia. The risk of medical complications may increase when progesterone is taken in combination with estrogen.
How Progetserone is Taken
Progesterone is taken in different doses and routes of administration depending on the condition for which it prescribed. According to Drugs.com, progesterone is administered through intramuscular injections for menstrual irregularities such as absent menstruation and functional uterine bleeding. Progesterone can also be administered directly into the vagina in the form of a gel or slow dissolving insert. This method is usually done when women are using progesterone to help in getting pregnant. Progesterone may also be taken orally for the treatment of thinning of the uterine walls.
Other Considerations
There are other considerations that patients should follow before and during progesterone treatment. The National Institutes of Health recommend that patients should alert their physician if they are taking herbal products, especially ones that may alter the effects of progesterone such as St. John's Wort. Patients should tell their doctor about any prescriptions they may be taking. If patients become pregnant while taking progesterone, they should immediately inform their physician.
