Progesterone, in both "natural" and commercially produced forms, can be beneficial for a number of health problems. However, it comes with a laundry list of side effects, one of which is weight gain. The trick to managing your condition and getting the most out of your hormone therapy is working closely with your doctor to monitor your progress, while staying healthy to mitigate any unexpected weight gain.
Definition
Progesterone is a hormone prescribed to men and women to treat various health issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. Progesterone is administered in the form of compounds called progestins. For women, progestins can be used to help regulate menstrual cycles, help a pregnancy occur during infertility treatments or treat endometriosis. They can also help treat breast, kidney or uterine cancer, test the body's production of certain hormones, or treat appetite, weight and muscle loss in AIDS and cancer patients.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is one side effect of taking progesterone. In some cases, such as that of AIDS and cancer patients, this is the intended use of the drug; progestins can produce proteins that increase your appetite, causing you to eat more and put on weight. For people taking the drug for other purposes, the weight gain can be an unintended and unpleasant side effect.
Other Side Effects
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience migraine headaches, loss of speech or vision, numbness or shortness of breath while taking progestins; these could be signs of a blood clot. Common and less-serious side effects include abdominal cramps, bloating and swelling of the ankles and feet, dizziness, drowsiness, mild headache, mood changes, nervousness and mild increases in blood pressure.
Considerations
Because of the large number of side effects and other considerations, you should always take progesterone under close supervision of a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will require followup visits every 6 to 12 months, if not more often, to check the progress of your condition and adjust the dosage as needed. If you choose natural progesterone, which falls under the category of custom-produced "bioidentical hormones," the same rules apply; always follow your physician's advice, and be aware that these compounds are not necessarily safer than standard hormone therapies.
Weight Maintenance
If you experience unwanted weight gain while taking progesterone, tell your doctor; you may be able to change your dose or look for an alternative solution to your health issue. In the meantime, pay more attention to what you're eating and when you're experiencing hunger. If your appetite has increased and you get hungry more often, eating smaller meals more often -- for example, five small meals per day instead of three larger ones -- may help. Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables and get plenty of fiber, which will help fill you up.
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