Progesterone plays an important role in women's health. Natural levels of this hormone change across the menstrual cycle, and they dramatically increase during pregnancy. Older women often experience a reduction in circulating progesterone. This decrease causes a deficiency that can trigger negative symptoms. Taking 200 mg of synthetic or natural progesterone can help rectify this situation. Such hormone replacement, however, may cause unwanted reactions. Speak with a doctor before using progesterone.
Menstruation Effects
Progesterone levels increase in healthy women following ovulation each month. Taking some types of oral contraceptives, especially those containing only progesterone, eliminate this variation. That change may cause adverse events like breakthrough bleeding. A 2005 report published in the "Journal of Ayub Medical College" looked at the impact of using synthetic progesterone on menstruation. Healthy, younger women received 200 mg of norethisterone oenanthate for two months. Treated women experienced more side effects than a control group that received no drug. They often had irregular menstrual bleeding and showed no monthly rhythms.
Increases Sleepiness
Women report greater feelings of sleepiness after ovulation. This decrease in daytime alertness correlates with the increase in progesterone release. Progesterone may, therefore, affect sleep initiation and maintenance. An article presented in the February 25, 2011 edition of "Psychopharmacology" tested this hypothesis by giving 200 mg of natural progesterone to premenopausal women. Healthy volunteers received the hormone, a placebo and a sleeping pill on different occasions. All tests occurred when circulating progesterone was low. The hormone increased sleepiness relative to the placebo. It also enhanced the hypnotic effects of the sleeping pill.
Suppresses Luteinizing Hormone
Luteinizing hormone, or LH, also plays an important role in feminine health. A surge in this hormone triggers ovulation, and low amounts of LH may cause eating disorders. A proper balance among female hormones remains critical for reproduction. Altering progesterone may have a negative impact on LH levels. A 2010 paper offered in "Fertility and Sterility" assessed the effect of 200 mg of bioidentical progesterone as a treatment for ovary disease. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, received the hormone for one week. Relative to baseline, progesterone suppressed LH. It also, however, decreased some PCOS symptoms.
Causes Discomfort
Progesterone is typically administered by a suppository, because the stomach breaks it down. Vaginal delivery of natural progesterone has comparable effects to intramuscular injections, but it may cause adverse events. A study described in the December 2005 issue of "Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" evaluated progesterone as a treatment for infertility. Women received either 10 mg of orally delivered synthetic progesterone or 200 mg of vaginally delivered natural progesterone for 12 weeks. Each drug increased the number of pregnancies, yet the vaginal suppositories often caused discharges and rashes.
References
- "Journal of Ayub Medical College"; Effect of a 'Progestin Only' Contraceptive on Platelet Aggregation in a Pakistani Set of Population; Nasir Ali Afsar, et al.; July-September 2005
- "Psychopharmacology"; Physiological Doses of Progesterone Potentiate the Effects of Triazolam in Healthy, Premenopausal Women; Shanna Babalonis, et al.; Feb. 25, 2011
- "Fertility and Sterility"; Effect of Oral Micronized Progesterone on Hormonal and Metabolic Parameters in Anovulatory Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Sarantis Livadas, et al.; June 2010
- "Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology"; Oral Dydrogesterone Versus Intravaginal Micronised Progesterone as Luteal Phase Support in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Cycles; Baidya Nath Chakravarty, et al.; December 2005
