For some women, entering menopause means dealing with a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, weight gain and hot flashes. In some cases, these symptoms are mild while in other cases, they are severe enough to require treatment. When symptoms begin to interrupt daily life, taking hormone replacement therapy with progesterone may be helpful. There can be side effects and risks so discuss the safety and proper dosage with a physician.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when you have gone a full year without a period, though symptoms can start years before menopause begins, occur during menopause and even continue during postmenopause. The symptoms of menopause occur because the ovaries produce less of the hormone estrogen as a natural part of the aging process; menopause can be induced through surgery as well. There are many lifestyle changes that can help to manage symptoms. Severe symptoms may warrant the use of estrogen, says the National Institute on Aging.
Benefits of Progesterone
While taking estrogen may help to relieve the symptoms of menopause, it can pose health risks in women who still have a uterus. Taking estrogen can cause an abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus, which raises the risk of developing uterine cancer. In these cases, progesterone is often prescribed. Progesterone is a hormone that helps to prevent a thickening of the uterus; this in turn decreases the risk of developing uterine cancer, reports MedlinePlus. Progesterone works by causing the body to go into menstruation during which the lining of the uterus is shed.
Dosage
Since each case is unique, there is no suggested dosage of progesterone that is right for everyone. Your age, severity of symptoms, overall health and risk for cancer and heart disease all need to be taken into consideration, notes Cleveland Clinic. In many cases, both estrogen and progesterone are just taken short-term to cut down on the risks of health problems. During this time, estrogen is taken every day and progesterone is added for just two weeks a month. When symptoms are severe, low doses of both hormones may be taken everyday. You and your doctor will need to work together and monitor your progress in order to determine the best dosage and if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
Side Effects
Progesterone can cause a wide variety of side effects including headaches; breast tenderness; upset stomach; fatigue; pain; mood swings; cold-like symptoms; an irregular heart beat and many others. Taking progesterone can also increase the chances of developing blood clots, which raises the risk of a heart attack, stroke, breathing complications or vision problems. Progesterone needs to be used with caution in women with an increased risk of breast cancer.
