Progesterone In OTC Supplements vs. Prescriptions: Dosage Is The Key

Progesterone is a vital hormone in women’s reproductive health and plays a crucial role in regulating menstrual cycles, supporting fertility, and managing menopausal symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind progesterone supplementation and discuss how dosages in over-the-counter dietary supplements compare with prescription progesterone. Whether you’re navigating irregular periods, seeking relief from menopause symptoms, or aiming to optimize fertility, progesterone levels may have a role to play.

What Is Progesterone?

Progesterone is a key hormone in the body, playing a crucial role in various biological functions, particularly in women’s reproductive health. It is a natural steroid hormone produced by the ovaries following ovulation and is also produced in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. In the context of supplements, progesterone is used to compensate for a deficiency or imbalance in the body’s natural production of the hormone.

Key Roles of Progesterone:

• Menstrual Cycle Regulation: Progesterone helps regulate the menstrual cycle, working in concert with estrogen. It prepares the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for potential pregnancy after ovulation and supports the early stages of pregnancy.
• Pregnancy Support: In pregnancy, progesterone helps maintain a healthy uterine environment. It plays a vital role in the implantation of the fertilized egg and in maintaining the pregnancy, especially in the early stages.
• Hormonal Balance: It works to balance the effects of estrogen in the body. This balance is critical for the health of reproductive tissues, bone health, and maintaining cardiovascular health.
• Mood Regulation: Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain and is believed to influence mood and emotional well-being. Fluctuations in progesterone levels can affect mood and have been linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and postpartum depression.

What Are the Benefits of Progesterone?

Progesterone offers a range of health benefits for women’s health issues:

• Menstrual Regulation: Progesterone is integral in regulating the menstrual cycle. Supplements can help women who experience irregular, heavy, or absent periods by normalizing hormonal imbalances, thus promoting a more regular menstrual cycle.
• Menopause Symptom Relief: During menopause, hormone levels fluctuate, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Progesterone supplements can help balance these hormones, providing relief from these common menopausal symptoms.
• Mood Enhancement: Progesterone has a natural calming effect on the brain. Its supplementation can aid in mood stabilization, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall emotional well-being. This effect also contributes to improved sleep quality, particularly in women experiencing menopausal sleep disturbances.
• Fertility Support: Progesterone is crucial for preparing the uterine lining for pregnancy and maintaining early pregnancy. Supplements are often used in fertility treatments to support embryo implantation and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
• Bone Health: Progesterone plays a role in bone building and remodeling. Its supplementation can contribute to increased bone density, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.
• Heart Health: There is evidence suggesting that progesterone can improve cardiovascular health. It may enhance lipid profiles (cholesterol levels) and reduce the risk of arterial plaque buildup, thus contributing to heart health.
• Reducing PMS Symptoms: Progesterone supplementation can alleviate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, such as mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness. By balancing hormones, it helps to manage these monthly discomforts.
• Balancing Hormones: In hormone replacement therapy, particularly during menopause, progesterone is used alongside estrogen. This combination helps balance hormone levels, reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and other complications associated with estrogen-only therapy.
• Skin Health: Progesterone can influence skin health positively. It may improve skin elasticity, hydration, and even reduce the occurrence of hormonal acne, offering a more youthful and healthier skin complexion.

What Are Typical Dosages of Progesterone?

The typical dose of progesterone prescribed can vary widely based on the individual’s needs, the specific condition being treated, and the form of progesterone used. It’s important to follow the dosage prescribed by a healthcare provider, as they will tailor it to the individual’s health status and treatment goals. Here are some general guidelines:

• For Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): In the context of menopause treatment, progesterone is often prescribed to balance estrogen therapy. The dose can range from 100 to 300 mg per day, typically taken for 10 to 14 days of each treatment cycle.
• For Menstrual Irregularities and PMS: To regulate the menstrual cycle or for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, doses can range from 400 mg per day taken in divided doses to 200 mg at bedtime, starting on day 14 to day 28 of the menstrual cycle.
• For Fertility Treatments and Pregnancy Support: In cases of infertility or to support early pregnancy, progesterone is often prescribed in doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg per day, in divided doses. The specific dose and method of administration (oral, vaginal, or injectable) depend on the individual’s circumstances.
• In Topical Forms: Progesterone cream is another common form, especially for menopausal symptoms or PMS. The dose for creams can vary, usually around 20 mg per application, applied according to specific instructions related to the menstrual cycle or treatment plan.
• For Sleep Disturbances: Lower doses, such as 100 mg of oral micronized progesterone, may be used for improving sleep quality.

Prescription vs. Over-The-Counter Supplements

Most over-the-counter (OTC) products labeled as containing “progesterone” actually contain ingredients derived from plants (like soy or wild yam) that may mimic progesterone or be used to chemically synthesize progesterone in a lab. However, the body cannot convert these plant-derived substances into progesterone on its own. Therefore, these products do not directly provide progesterone but may contain chemically synthesized progesterone added to them.

Prescription progesterone is available in several forms, including oral capsules, vaginal gels, creams, and suppositories. The dosages of prescription progesterone can vary widely depending on the form and the specific health condition being treated. For example, oral progesterone capsules commonly come in dosages of 100 mg or 200 mg, which are used for hormone therapy or to support pregnancy.

On the other hand, products marketed as dietary supplements that claim to contain progesterone can vary significantly in terms of progesterone content. These supplements might contain progesterone in much lower amounts, often in micrograms (µg) rather than milligrams (mg), where 1 mg = 1000 micrograms. Dietary supplements might use plant-derived compounds that are similar to progesterone, such as diosgenin from wild yam. However, the body cannot convert these compounds into progesterone without laboratory processing, making their effectiveness and bioavailability questionable.

Who Should NOT Take Progesterone?

Progesterone, like any hormone supplement, isn’t suitable for everyone. Certain individuals should avoid taking progesterone due to potential health risks or interactions with existing conditions. These include:

• People with a History of Hormone-Sensitive Cancers: Individuals who have had cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as certain types of breast or ovarian cancer, should typically avoid progesterone supplements as they can possibly stimulate cancer growth.
• Those with Liver Disease: Progesterone can further strain the liver, so those with liver diseases or severe liver dysfunction should avoid it.
• People with Blood Clotting Disorders or History of Stroke: Since progesterone can increase the risk of blood clots, it should be avoided by people with clotting disorders, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or a history of stroke.
• Pregnant Women (unless prescribed): While progesterone is critical in pregnancy, supplemental progesterone should only be used under strict medical supervision, as inappropriate use can have adverse effects.
• People with Heart Disease: Those with heart disease or a history of heart attacks should be cautious, as progesterone may affect cardiovascular health.
• Allergic Reactions: Individuals who have shown allergic reactions to progesterone or any components of the progesterone formulation should not take it.
• Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding: If the cause of the bleeding hasn’t been diagnosed, progesterone should not be used as it may mask the underlying issue.
• Individuals with Peptic Ulcers or Kidney Disease: Progesterone can exacerbate these conditions, so it should be used with caution or avoided entirely in such cases.

Food Influences on Progesterone

It’s important to note that while diet plays a role in hormone balance, it’s one of many factors. These foods and nutrients can play an important role:

• Vitamin B6: This vitamin is crucial for progesterone balance. It aids in the proper function of estrogen and progesterone. Foods rich in B6, such as bananas, spinach, poultry, and whole grains, can help in maintaining adequate progesterone levels.
• Magnesium: Magnesium contributes to hormonal balance, including the regulation of progesterone levels. It’s found in foods like dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Adequate magnesium intake can support the body’s production of progesterone.
• Zinc: Zinc is essential for hormone production, including progesterone. Foods like lean meats, shellfish, seeds, and nuts are high in zinc and can help in supporting hormonal balance.
• Healthy Fats: Healthy fats are crucial for hormone production. Avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds provide the body with the necessary fats to produce hormones, including progesterone.
• Fiber: A high-fiber diet can aid in the excretion of excess hormones and help maintain a balance. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• Cholesterol-Rich Foods: Cholesterol, found in foods like eggs and dairy products, is a building block for steroid hormones including progesterone. Consuming these foods in moderation can support progesterone production.
• L-Arginine: This amino acid, found in protein-rich foods like turkey, chicken, and pumpkin seeds, can improve blood flow to the ovaries, which might help with progesterone production.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, is thought to help increase progesterone levels by improving the health of the corpus luteum, which is responsible for progesterone secretion in the ovaries.

To Sum It Up

In dosages available in prescriptions, progesterone supplements offer a range of health benefits for women’s well-being. These include regulating menstrual cycles, relieving menopausal symptoms, enhancing mood, supporting fertility, promoting bone health, improving heart health, alleviating PMS symptoms, balancing hormones, and benefiting skin health.

Most OTC products labeled as “progesterone” use plant-derived substances like soy or wild yam, which the body cannot directly convert to progesterone, though they may contain added synthetic progesterone. At such low dosages, peer-reviewed evidence does not support the use of such supplements.

This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.