Balance with Estrogen: If a person has a uterus, estrogen therapy alone can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining), which could lead to endometrial cancer. Progesterone helps to counteract this by thinning the uterine lining, reducing this risk.
Menopausal Symptom Relief: Progesterone can help alleviate some menopausal symptoms, such as mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, although it is primarily used in combination with estrogen to manage the reproductive system and prevent uterine problems.
Micronized Progesterone: This is a bioidentical form of progesterone, typically taken orally (e.g., Prometrium) or in some cases vaginally. It is often considered the most natural form of progesterone.
Synthetic Progestins: These are man-made versions of progesterone (e.g., medroxyprogesterone acetate), which may be prescribed in cases where bioidentical progesterone is not an option or desired. Progestins can have different side effects than bioidentical progesterone.
Some people may experience side effects like mood changes, fatigue, bloating, or headaches, especially with synthetic progestins. Bioidentical progesterone tends to have fewer of these side effects, but every person’s response can vary.