Progesterone: Patient Information & Safety Notes
Also known as Prometrium
Other names: bioidentical-progesterone, prometrium, micronized-progesterone
Progesterone is an FDA-approved naturally occurring hormone used in hormone replacement therapy to protect the uterine lining (endometrium) in women with an intact uterus who are receiving estrogen therapy, and for secondary amenorrhea.
In plain language
What Progesterone is used for
- Menopausal HRT with estrogen — endometrial protection
- Secondary amenorrhea
- Sleep support (off-label; progesterone has sedative properties)
Taking this medicine
How it is administered
- Oral capsule
Read before you decide
Risks and precautions
Risks and warnings
- Bloating, drowsiness
- Mood changes, mild depressive feelings
- Breast tenderness
Who should not take it
- Blood clotting disorders or thrombophlebitis
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Liver dysfunction
- Breast or genital cancer
Common questions
Patient questions
Do I need progesterone if I take estrogen?
Women with an intact uterus who take systemic estrogen need a progestogen (like progesterone) to protect the uterine lining (endometrium) from hyperplasia and cancer. Women without a uterus typically do not. A licensed provider determines the appropriate regimen.
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This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
Sources & References
Learn more about where our data comes from and how we write and review medical content.