What is Progesterone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Progesterone overview

BRAND NAMES:

Generic Names:

  • Progesterone

Uses:

  • Treats menstruation problems caused by a hormone imbalance.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Progesterone used for?

Progesterone belongs to a class of drugs called progestins. It is used to treat a condition known as endometriosis. It works by regulating the ovulation and menstruation cycles in women. Progesterone comes in the form of an injection. It should not be used with estrogen to prevent heart disease or dementia since doing so may increase the chances of dementia, a blood clot, breast cancer, stroke or a heart attack. Consult your doctor for more information.

What form(s) does Progesterone come in

  • Injectable

What are common Progesterone doses?

  • Vial 10ML of 50MG/ML

  • Bottle 100GM of

  • Bottle 100GM of 40%

  • Bottle 500GM of 40%

Common Progesterone prescriptions

  • Progesterone
    100mg capsule

  • Progesterone
    200mg capsule

  • Progesterone
    10ml of 50mg/ml vial

How to take Progesterone

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

  • This medicine is usually given every day for 6 to 8 days, depending on the reason you need it.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • This medicine is usually given every day for 6 to 8 days, depending on the reason you need it.

What to do if you miss a dose of Progesterone

Progesterone contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to progesterone, sesame seeds, or sesame oil. Do not use it if you have a history of liver disease, cancer of the breast or genitals, or blood clots (including stroke or heart attack).

Progesterone warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, heart disease, migraine headaches, epilepsy, asthma, kidney disease, or a history of depression.

  • This medicine may cause blood clots, which may lead to serious problems such as stroke, embolism, or thrombosis.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine may make you sleepy, tired, or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Unusual, heavy, or nonstop vaginal bleeding

Progesterone interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, heart disease, migraine headaches, epilepsy, asthma, kidney disease, or a history of depression.

  • This medicine may cause blood clots, which may lead to serious problems such as stroke, embolism, or thrombosis.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine may make you sleepy, tired, or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Progesterone side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood

  • Depression

  • Unusual, heavy, or nonstop vaginal bleeding

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Light breakthrough bleeding or spotting

  • Breast pain or tenderness

  • Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given

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