Progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, is a common component of menopausal hormone replacement therapy. Typically combined with estrogen, progesterone can reduce a woman's risk of uterine cancer in the short term following menopause. Women who have had a hysterectomy, however, rarely require progesterone as a part of their hormone replacement therapy.
Menopause Onset
Menopause occurs when a woman's reproductive system begins the natural process of shutting down. According to MedlinePlus, most women go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, which is when their ovaries typically begin to produce less and less estrogen. Many of the common symptoms associated with menopause are related to these hormonal changes, and include hot flashes, sudden sweating and difficulty sleeping. While symptoms tend to be worse in the earliest stages of menopause, MedlinePlus reports that for some women they might last upwards of five or more years. Menopause onset occurs naturally, though it can also be induced at any age following a hysterectomy.
The Role of Estrogen
In the early stages of menopause, women may be prescribed supplemental estrogen to minimize some of the unpleasant side effects of this hormonal change. Estrogen supplements can also reduce the risks of other medical conditions related to the natural drop in estrogen, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. However, some women who take estrogen supplements may be at a greater risk for endometrial cancer, if they have not had a hysterectomy. Estrogen hormone therapy may interfere with the uterus lining, causing abnormal thickening. To reduce the risks associated with estrogen replacement therapy, many women in early menopause also take progesterone supplements.
Using Progesterone
Women whose menopause was not induced through a hysterectomy are often prescribed progesterone as part of their hormone replacement therapy during the early years of menopause. In the short term, progesterone helps reduce the risk of uterine cancer by counteracting the potentially negative effects of estrogen supplements. Once a woman stops taking estrogen, however, she no longer needs the progesterone supplements. According to MedlinePlus, most menopausal women only receive hormone replacement therapy for about five years, as this is the maximum duration for which is it recommended. You may hear the terms progestin and progesterone used interchangeably: progestins are simply the man-made version of progesterone. Progesterone supplements may be prescribed separately, or in a supplement that contains both estrogen and progesterone.
Progesterone Side Effects
Like estrogen, progestins may cause side effects. Many of these side effects are similar to those pregnant women might experience, as progesterone is one of the major pregnancy hormones. These include headaches, irritability, fatigue and breast tenderness. In addition, PubMed Health reports that grapefruit juice may cause interactions with progesterone, so talk to your doctor before combining the two. In rare cases progesterone may cause blood clots, so monitor any stroke-like symptoms such as tingling or numbness on one side of the body, speech problems or difficulties with movement.
Member Comments