Progesterone Therapy

Natural progesterone therapy may be prescribed to help with symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and especially PMS.

At Madison Pharmacy Associates, our prescriptions are individually formulated and prepared just for you. Our original formulas use only natural hormones molecularly identical to the ones your body produces. Your prescribing healthcare provider can choose from many different strengths and delivery systems.

We're here to help with your questions and concerns. Give our registered pharmacists a call at 1-800-558-7046. We'll work with you and your healthcare provider to arrive at the prescription that will most effectively manage your PMS symptoms and suit your lifestyle.

Hormone Balance

As with all of the major hormones, baseline and follow-up testing of progesterone levels is critical for maintaining hormone levels in a physiologic range and avoiding the side effects of underdosing or overdosing.

Available Exclusively From Madison Pharmacy Associates

Even Release Oral Tablets: We introduced this breakthrough progesterone delivery system in 1986. It combines slow, even-release of medication with the convenience of dosing once or twice daily. The tablet produces consistent blood levels, which is critical for symptom management in PMS or menopause, and to avoid daytime drowsiness, erratic menstrual cycles or breakthrough bleeding.

Other Common Dosage Forms Available From Madison Pharmacy Associates

Micronized Oral Capsules: The capsule is an immediate release form that is taken daily. Remember, progesterone is the hormone with a naturally calming effect. Oral forms of natural progesterone may cause drowsiness or dizziness if a woman is taking a dosage strength that is too high for her individual needs. If drowsiness or dizziness occur, the dosage may need to be reduced. Taking natural progesterone with food also helps to avoid drowsiness.

Creams or Gels: Delivers continuous, consistent absorption though it is not as effective as even release tablets for symptom management. Progesterone cream is best absorbed when applied to the skin on the hands, but can also be applied to the skin on the stomach, thighs, or inner arms, one to two times a day.

Sublingual Tablets: These tablets are taken one to 4 times daily, placed under the tongue for fast absorption.

Rectal Suspension: The first dosage form we made, rectal suspension is not used as often as in the past, but is still highly effective. Suspended in water, progesterone in this form provides an inexpensive and convenient method of administration with few side effects. Physicians often start patients out on rectal suspension because it allows them to easily adjust the dose to each woman's needs. The liquid suspension is administered rectally using a small syringe with applicator. The rectal suspension was the first form of progesterone developed in the United States.

Suppository: Progesterone suppositories, administered vaginally or rectally contain progesterone in a wax base. They provide consistent, even absorption. When used vaginally, many women complain of leakage that occurs. When used rectally, some patients report bowel stimulation. The lower dosages are most commonly used in treating "luteal phase defects," and higher doses are generally used for treating premenstrual syndrome. Progesterone suppositories were the original form of the medication and are commonly prescribed in Europe.

Injection. Injectable progesterone is available, though it has a somewhat limited therapeutic use. Injections are especially good for immediate relief of the most acute symptoms or as a diagnostic tool. The medication is injected deep into the muscle, which may cause pain and irritation. Injections are normally given at least once a day or every other day.

Micronized oral capsules, gels, and creams also work well when combining other hormones with progesterone in the same dosage form.

Natural Progesterone Dosage Ranges

What to expect

Progesterone is a very benign medication that most women tolerate well. Infrequent side-effects may include delay the onset of your period. If this happens and your period is more than a day or two late, you may need to stop taking progesterone to bring on your period, then resume taking it 14 days after your period starts. In addition, you may experience flushing when taking progesterone. This is normal, because progesterone raises body temperature about one degree.

Please call us with your questions at 800.558.7046.