Progesterone (medication)

Progesterone (medication)

Progesterone is a medication and naturally occurring steroid hormone. It is used in hormone replacement therapy, menstrual disorders, infertility, and a number of other conditions. It is taken by mouth, by injection into a muscle, or via a vaginal or rectal suppository.

Medical uses

Progesterone is used for a variety of indications, many of which are in the field of reproductive medicine. These include:

• Hormone replacement therapy: Progesterone is used in combination with an estrogen as a component of menopausal hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
• Menstrual disorders: Progesterone is used to treat menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
• Infertility: Progesterone is used in the treatment of infertility, particularly in women with luteal phase defect.

Side effects

Like all medications, progesterone can cause side effects. These may include nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, headache, mood changes, and dizziness. More serious side effects can include blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and breast cancer.

Pharmacology

Progesterone is a progestogen and is the major naturally occurring human progestogen. It has a number of effects in the body, including effects on the uterus, breasts, vagina, brain, and bones.

History

Progesterone was first isolated in 1934 and was first used medically in 1936. It was the first progestogen to be discovered and is the parent compound of all progestogens that have been introduced for medical use.

See also

• List of progestogens
• List of hormonal cytostatic antineoplastic agents
• List of sex hormones

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