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INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS: CYCLIC PROGESTERONE THERAPY
Why Might I Need To Take Cyclic
If your period starts before you have finished the 14 days of Progesterone Therapy?
progesterone (for example, on the 9th day of taking it) finish
Progesterone is one of the two important female hormones the full 14 days, but start the next progesterone 14 days after
for women. (Estrogen is the one we usually hear about). When the period began. This allows for a “catch up” of progesterone menstrual cycles are disturbed, even in a way that is not obvious, ovulation is normal and progesterone levels become DIAGRAM 2
Your doctor may prescribe progesterone to control heavy periods, severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) or to help with irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair, low bone density or sore and lumpy breasts. Cyclic progesterone therapy may also help achieve fertility. It is also very important therapy for night sweats, breast tenderness or heavy flow in If your period starts while you are still taking pro- gesterone, always continue taking it for the full 14 days. If this flow persists you may need a higher dose of progesterone, or What Medications Can I Choose?
take it for a longer time. The early flow is a sign of high estrogen over-stimulating the endometrium (lining of the name Provera®) is a chemical form of progesterone that has been used for over 40 years -- is a very close cousin of natural If you have not started to flow within two weeks of progesterone. It is stronger so the natural dose is 10 mg. a day. taking progesterone, stop for 14 days. After this 14-day period start taking progesterone again. A one-day dose costs from 35 to 50 cents. Oral micronized progesterone (Prometrium®) is the same As soon as your period returns, start taking proges- thing your ovaries make. Three 100 mg. capsules is the natural terone again 14 days after the start of your flow, as shown in Diagram 1. dose. Because it causes sleepiness, take this medication on your way to bed. One day’s dosage costs about $1.50. Either medication will have the important effects on flow, breasts and Are There Any Side Effects?
no serious side effects from progesterone therapy. It does not cause blood clots, migraine headaches or When Do I Take It?
increase the risk for breast cancer. It effectively prevents If you get a period regularly and your periods are usually endometrial cancer. Pharmacy references often state that 27-30 days apart, start progesterone on the 14th day after flow progesterone causes everything that’s been shown on the birth began and take it for 14 days, or until cycle day 27. If your control pill (high dose estrogen and male-hormone-like kinds cycles are regular but short (for example, if your period starts of synthetic progesterone). In very rare instances an allergy every 19 – 26 days) start cyclic medroxyprogesterone or may occur. (Oral micronized progesterone is in peanut oil; progesterone on cycle day 12. You would take it for 14 days, therefore those with an allergy to peanuts must NOT take it.) You may notice some changes in your breasts, feelings of warmth and other evidence of normal progesterone action. If DIAGRAM 1
you get moody, feel bloated and have very sore breasts it CYCLIC PROGESTERONE THERAPY
means progesterone is temporarily stimulating your body to make high estrogen levels. This improves after one cycle. May be copied and distributed FREE. For bulk distribution authorization, please
contact the author at the address below.
Prepared by Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research 4137-2775 Laurel Street (4th Floor) Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1M9 E-mail: CeMCOR@interchange.ubc.ca Reprinted from an article originally printed in The Canadian Journal of Diagnosis, 1997.

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