What are the Side Effects of Natural Progesterone?

Adverse Reactions

Because progesterone creams contain the hormone identical to that produced by the human ovary, side effects are usually minimal. If experienced these may include breast tenderness and swelling, fluid retention or slight vaginal bleeding. Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headaches and light headedness have been reported occasionally and usually disappear with adjustment of dose.

The Natural-Progesterone-Advisory-Network.com website rarely hears of cases where there is not a logical explanation for the abovementioned side effects.

In our experience, ‘bad’ side effects using progesterone do not necessarily indicate ‘dangerous’.

We interpret such side effects as estrogen dominance wake-up crisis, where the introduction of progesterone is ‘waking up’ and stimulating the estrogen receptors, thereby exacerbating the estrogen effects in the body.

These side effects may occur in cases of long-term use at high doses when not indicated, and where breaks from cream have not been adhered to. Or, perhaps where inferior creams have been used. We discuss this throughout our Resource Website in greater detail, and provide techniques for overcoming estrogen dominance with the use of progesterone.

Being human-identical, progesterone has a significant safety margin. For example, a woman could apply a dose of up to 400mg progesterone (similar to levels of a pregnant woman in her last trimester), and perhaps experience a state of relaxation and drowsiness. This dosage would not necessarily represent a risk to her health even though ovarian output of progesterone at ovulation is roughly 15-20mg.

One therefore has room to experiment with drug dosage levels without causing themselves harm.

However, we do NOT recommend that you slap on 400mg of progesterone cream. We’re simply pointing out here that should extra cream be necessary to treat and abate symptoms, it’s not going to harm or jeopardise your health, particularly when you body is crying out for the progesterone you are applying.

Having said all that, where possible work in consultation with a trusted medical practitioner who understands bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and can help you achieve optimal results.