Progesterone - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Progesterone is hormone preparations used to treat menstrual cycle disorders and ovulation. Progesterone preparations can also be used in hormone replacement therapy along with estrogen, for example during menopause.

Under normal circumstances, progesterone will be produced naturally by the body in sufficient quantities. Progesterone is a hormone that plays an important role in regulating the ovulation cycle, menstruation, assisting the implantation of the results of fertilization, and maintaining pregnancy.

When the body experiences a shortage of progesterone, a number of complaints will appear, ranging from irregular menstrual cycles, not having menstruation (amenorrhea), the appearance of premenstrual syndrome, or the occurrence of repeated miscarriages.

Brand dprogesterone agent: Crinone, Crinone 8%, Cygest, Utrogestan

What is Progesterone

Precautions Before Using Progesterone

Progesterone should only be used according to a doctor's prescription. Before using progesterone, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Do not use progesterone if you are allergic to this medicine.
• Do not use progesterone if you have or are currently experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had migraines, asthma, kidney or liver disease, seizures or epilepsy, depression, hypertension, lupus, diabetes mellitus, obesity,deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
• Tell your doctor if you are addicted to alcohol or have a smoking habit.
• Do not drive a vehicle or operate requiring vigilance while taking progesterone, as this medicine can cause dizziness and headaches.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements, or herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning any surgery, including dental surgery.
• If you experience an allergic drug reaction or overdose after taking progesterone, see your doctor immediately.

Dosage and Use of Progesterone

The dose of progesterone varies from patient to patient, depending on the condition being treated, its severity, and the patient's response to the drug. The following is the division of the dose of progesterone based on the form of the drug:

Soft tablet and capsule form

• Amenorrhea: 400 mg daily, for 10 days.
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: 400 mg per day, for 10 days.
• Hormone replacement therapy at menopause: 200 mg, once daily every night, for 12–14 days.

IM injection form (intramuscular/to muscle)

• Amenorrhea: 5–10 mg per day, for 5–10 days.
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: 5–10 mg per day, for 5–10 days.
• Repeated miscarriages due to progesterone deficiency: 25–100 mg, 2 times per week, from day 15 of pregnancy for 8–16 weeks.

Shape pessary vagina

• PMS (premenstrual syndrome): 200 mg per day, may be increased to 400 mg, 2 times daily, starting on days 12–14 of the menstrual cycle until menstruation is complete.
• Amenorrhea: 45 mg, once every 2 days. This treatment is started from day 15-25 of the menstrual cycle.
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: 45 mg, once every 2 days. This treatment is started from day 15-25 of the menstrual cycle.

How to Use Progesterone Correctly

Follow the doctor's advice and read the information on the medicine package before using progesterone. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.

Progesterone tablets and soft capsules should be taken at night or at bedtime. Drink water to help swallow progesterone soft tablets or capsules.

If you forget to take progesterone tablets or soft capsules, take this medicine as soon as you remember if the interval between the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.

Injectable progesterone should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor will inject progesterone according to the patient's condition.

Before using Progesterone form pessary vagina, you should wash your hands first, then put the medicine into the vagina and hold it for a few seconds. After that, wash your hands thoroughly after using it.

Check with your doctor regularly while using progesterone so that the development of the condition can be kept under control.

Store progesterone in a tightly closed storage area and out of reach of children. Store at room temperature and avoid exposure to sunlight.

Progesterone Interactions with Other Drugs

If used together with other drugs, progesterone can cause interactions such as:

• Increased risk of bleeding if used with edoxaban
• Increased levels and effectiveness of cancer drugs, such as venetoclax
• Increased levels of progesterone in the blood when used with ketoconazole drugs

• Increased levels of ciclosporin in the blood
• Decreased effectiveness of progesterone when used with griseofulvin, rifampin, or anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

Side Effects and Dangers of Progesterone

Side effects that may occur after using progesterone drugs are:

• Headache
• Cough
• Dizzy

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Stomach ache

• Nauseous
• Throw up
• Insomnia
• Breast pain
• Joint pain
• Mood swings

Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by the appearance of an itchy and swollen rash, swollen eyes and lips, or difficulty breathing.

In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:

• Breast lump
• Migraine
• Seizures
• Numb
• Difficult to speak
• Swelling in the legs
• Difficult to breathe
• Heart beats fast

• Visual disturbance
• Tremor

• Chest pain
• Bleeding from the vagina outside of the menstrual cycle
• Depression