PROMETRIUM

It is prescribed to address irregular menstrual cycles and prevent excessive thickening of the uterine lining, which can occur with estrogen use after menopause. Its mechanism of action involves increasing the levels of the progesterone hormone in your body. This medication is marketed under the brand name Prometrium.

Weight gain is not a direct side effect of progesterone. While hormones, in general, can influence hunger levels and weight, excessive or inadequate progesterone alone is usually not a primary cause of weight gain.

These changes can result in increased energy levels and improvements in mood. Additionally, progesterone levels rise following your menstrual period, triggering calming neurotransmitters in your brain, which can contribute to a heightened sense of relaxation.

Progesterone belongs to a class of medications known as progestins, which are female hormones. It plays a role in hormone replacement therapy by reducing estrogen levels in the uterus. Its function in inducing menstruation involves replacing the natural progesterone that some women may be deficient in.

In general, the use of progestogens is contraindicated in patients with impaired hepatic function or liver disease.

Possible side effects may include nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, changes in vaginal discharge, mood swings, blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, it is advisable to notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Prometrium should not be used if you have a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, liver disease, or if you have recently experienced a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. It should also be avoided during pregnancy.

Doctors typically recommend taking Progesterone before bedtime due to its sedative effects, which can aid in restoring normal sleep patterns. It’s important to note that Progesterone is a bioidentical hormone, not a drug treatment.

The duration for which you should continue taking Prometrium varies from woman to woman, as the length of menopausal symptoms cannot be predicted precisely. On average, women experience menopausal symptoms for about 8 years. You should continue taking Prometrium as long as you are undergoing estrogen therapy.

Prometrium is a micronized oral progesterone available in 100mg capsules, typically taken at night due to its sleep-inducing properties. While registered as an oral preparation for menopause, there is also a vaginal preparation available for IVF.

Usually, both progesterone and estrogen are used in combination for menopausal hormone therapy. This is because estrogen alone can thicken the uterine lining, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. In some cases, progesterone may be used on its own without estrogen.

Prometrium is a brand-name medication for micronized progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone produced in the ovaries and is responsible for preparing the uterine lining to support a growing fetus during pregnancy.

Prometrium, when used in conjunction with estrogen as hormone replacement therapy, can be taken for up to 12 days during the latter half of the menstrual cycle or alternatively at a dose of 100 mg daily for up to 25 days of the cycle. In cases of secondary amenorrhea, Prometrium may be continued for up to 10 days.

Micronized progesterone is considered safer with fewer side effects compared to progestins, and it may reduce hot flashes when used independently or in combination with systemic estrogen therapy.

Potential side effects of progesterone therapy may include irregular menstrual periods, headaches, difficulty conceiving, mood changes, anxiety or depression, trouble sleeping, hot flashes, and bloating or weight gain.

If you have a uterus, combining progesterone with estrogen is typically recommended to reduce the risk of uterine cancer. Estrogen alone can thicken the uterine lining, which increases the risk. The combination of estrogen and progesterone offers benefits in terms of decreasing the risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer, and overall mortality.

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including persistent nausea/vomiting, unusual vaginal bleeding (such as spotting or breakthrough bleeding), changes in mental/mood (such as depression or memory loss), swelling of the hands/feet, frequent/burning/painful urination, breast lumps.

To obtain oral progesterone, you will require a prescription from your doctor, as is the case with intramuscular and vaginal progesterone. Oral progesterone is typically bioidentical, and studies suggest it may be the most effective form of progesterone supplementation for preventing preterm labor.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: PROMETRIUM Capsules are an oral form of micronized progesterone, chemically identical to ovarian-origin progesterone. Micronization enhances the oral bioavailability of progesterone.

Arterial disease: Non-prescription forms of progesterone should not be used if you have arterial disease. Breast cancer: Avoid non-prescription forms of progesterone if you have breast cancer or a history of breast cancer. Depression: Non-prescription forms of progesterone should be avoided if you have depression.

Advantages of the progestogen-only pill include not interrupting sexual activity, suitability for breastfeeding mothers, and being a viable option for individuals who cannot take estrogen, which is present in combined contraceptive methods such as pills, patches, and rings.

Prometrium is a form of progesterone replacement derived from plant sources and is chemically identical to the naturally occurring progesterone produced in the human ovary. Consequently, it is regarded as bio-identical.

Progesterone Brands: Prometrium, Crinone, Cyclogest, Endometrin, First Progesterone MC10, First Progesterone MC5, Gestone, MilprosaCrinone, Cyclogest, Endometrin, First Progesterone MC10, First Progesterone MC5, Gestone, Milprosa, Prometrium

The generic name for PROMETRIUM is Progesterone

Before initiating progesterone (Prometrium) usage, if you have a history of fluid buildup or swelling, it’s important to inform your healthcare provider. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience unexplained swelling, rapid weight gain (more than 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week), or sudden breathing difficulties.

It’s important to note that progesterone does not directly cause weight loss; instead, it mitigates the effects of other hormones in the body that may be contributing to weight gain. Think of it as enabling the body to lose weight rather than causing it.

Progesterone possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties, benefiting various bodily functions. By reducing inflammation, progesterone facilitates the brain’s reception of another hormone called Leptin, which helps regulate appetite. Balanced hormone levels can promote moderate eating habits and aid in weight loss.

Progesterone side effects are unlikely to include weight gain. However, fluctuations in hormone levels throughout your menstrual cycle can influence your appetite, making it seem like you are gaining weight. During the first half of your cycle, estrogen suppresses appetite, resulting in lower hunger levels.

Research has indicated that hormonal imbalances, including cortisol, insulin, estrogen, and progesterone imbalances, can contribute to the accumulation of abdominal fat in women.

Progesterone offers natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can have a positive impact throughout the body. For instance, progesterone’s anti-inflammatory effects can enhance the brain’s reception of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and supports weight loss.

Although some studies have yielded mixed results, any weight gain while on progesterone-based contraceptives is generally minimal, typically around 4-5 pounds for progestin-only pills. However, it remains unclear whether the pills themselves or other factors are responsible for this weight gain.

Progesterone can boost energy levels by stimulating the thyroid and accelerating metabolism. Maintaining adequate progesterone levels is crucial for a healthy sex drive, as changes in progesterone levels during your menstrual cycle can influence your libido.

When taking this medication, it’s advisable to do so with food. Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while using this medication, as they may affect the drug’s absorption in the body.

Both estrogen and progesterone can promote hair retention in the anagen phase, potentially prolonging hair’s presence on the scalp and even promoting hair growth. This may explain why many women notice improvements in hair thinning when undergoing estrogen replacement therapy.

Maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, considering medications, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress levels are all important factors for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Testosterone may also be prescribed in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as it can aid in fat loss, enhance libido, and increase muscle mass.

Many commonly prescribed forms of estrogen and progesterone are bioidentical, including medications like Estrace and Prometrium. These bioidentical hormone preparations are approved and regulated by Health Canada and are produced by pharmaceutical companies.

Possible side effects of progesterone may include nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, changes in vaginal discharge, mood swings, blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, it’s essential to notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

In terms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), most experts agree that it is safe to use at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration, particularly for healthy individuals. If you are 59 or older or have been on hormones for 5 years, consult your doctor about discontinuation.

Whether it’s Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), some patients may experience initial weight gain. However, overall, weight gain is not typically associated with hormone replacement therapy and may be attributable to hormonal imbalances.

After consulting a specialist in hormone therapy, Oprah Winfrey experienced remarkable improvements in her mood, cognition, and memory after just one day of using bioidentical estrogen. She found the treatment to be more effective than expected.

Bioidentical progesterone has been found to enhance overall mood and increase libido. For women experiencing the adverse symptoms of menopause, hormone therapy with bioidentical progesterone may offer potential benefits.

Bioidentical progesterone provides additional advantages, including support for improved brain health, stimulation of collagen production, and a reduced risk of uterine cancer in women undergoing estrogen therapy.

If you experience weight gain, breast tenderness, or bloating while using bioidentical progesterone, it is crucial to inform your hormone doctor immediately. Your healthcare provider can assess your situation and adjust your BHRT progesterone formula to mitigate these side effects.

While some women may benefit from non-standard doses and formulations of hormones in compounded bioidentical hormone preparations, scientific evidence supporting the superiority of these compounds over commercially produced preparations remains limited.

The only FDA-approved oral progesterone is micronized in peanut oil.

Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications, such as progesterone. During progesterone treatment, consider limiting your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.