Crinone and Prometrium are micronized progesterone medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Crinone is a progesterone gel you may use if you have trouble getting pregnant or to help regulate your menstrual cycle. Prometrium is an oral form of progesterone that you may use in conjunction with estrogen therapy during your menopausal years. You may also use Prometrium if you have prematurely stopped menstruating. Micronized progesterone has potential side effects; some are dangerous, so you need to consult your physician to discuss these.
More Common Side Effects
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that there are some common side effects to drugs that contain micronized progesterone and some of these include breast discomfort, anxiety, depressed sexual interest, an increase in breast size and atypical menstrual bleeding. If you are taking micronized progesterone you may feel unusually hungry, have stomach cramping or discomfort, experience backaches or suffer from headaches. Other unintended effects include upper respiratory tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, feeling sleepy and hair loss. You may also have disrupted sleep, feelings of moodiness, melancholy or despair, an upset stomach or you may retain water. While taking the drug you may find that you frequently have to get up at night to urinate, have aching joints, become constipated, throw up or have loose stools.
Less Common Side Effects
There are other less common side effects possible with micronized progesterone, according to Drugs.com, and these include pimples, discomfort during sexual intercourse, dizziness, muscle aches, flatulence and tiredness. Additionally, you may have hot flashes, genital yeast infections, excessive perspiration, an itchy vulvar area, leg aches or general discomfort. Other side effects include severe headaches, volatile emotional states, skin problems and uncomfortable menstrual periods, along with muscle spasms, vaginal discharge, urinary tract infections and excessive thirst.
Serious Risks
Though rare, there are serious risks associated with micronized progesterone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn that these include risks to your fetus if you become pregnant while on the hormone. Baby boys are sometimes born with genital abnormalities. Babies of either gender may be born with a heart defect, cleft lip or cleft palate. If you take the drug, you also increase your risk of developing liver problems, breast cancer and stroke, heart attack or other problems stemming from irregular blood clotting.
Causes for Concern
You will need to watch for warning signs of severe side effects if you take micronized progesterone, warns MayoClinic.com. Check with a medical professional if you notice a pain in your chest or leg, feel faint, throw up, experience abnormal menstrual bleeding or abruptly feel short of breath. A yellow cast to your fingernails, toenails, eyes or skin may indicate liver problems. Other severe symptoms include dizziness, breast lumps, extreme headaches and abnormal speech or vision. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.
References
- Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education: Typical Hormone Products
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Menopause---Medicines to Help You
- MayoClinic.com: Progestin (Oral Route, Parenteral Route, Vaginal Route)
- RxList.com: Prometrium
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Prometrium
