7 Progesterone Benefits for Menopause

 



Progesterone is a natural hormone from the ovaries. It’s important in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, uterus, and breast development. 

It’s prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women (particularly those who still have their uterus). It's used to prevent endometrial hyperplasia (a thickening of the uterine lining) that  occurs when taking estrogen alone.

On average, it’s prescribed in combination with estrogen (either continuously (every day) or cyclically like 12-14 days per month). Women take this for irregular periods, endometriosis or luteal phase support in fertility treatment and it’s available in: 

  • Pills

  • Injections

  • Intrauterine device (IUD)

  • Vaginal gel

  • Patch applied to the skin

  • Foods that have zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B, and magnesium


Oral micronized progesterone pill is the most popular as it's the most familiar for most people.

Progesterone for Menopause

Taking progesterone in a hormone replacement treatment plan makes menopause and postmenopause symptoms manageable.


1. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Estrogen withdrawal leads to VMS (hot flashes and night sweats) as it reacts to the decrease by releasing the stress hormone norepinephrine. Progesterone stabilizes the severity and frequency of VMS by:

Thermoregulatory Stability – Progesterone regulates the hypothalamus (the brain’s temperature control center) and reduces hot flashes frequency and severity.

Vasodilation Control – It stabilizes blood vessel function and prevents sudden dilation (which causes the sensation of heat during a hot flash).

A randomized controlled trial that lasted 12 weeks involved 133 healthy postmenopausal women aged 44 to 62 years. They were 1 to 10 years after their final menstruation. Participants were administered 300 mg of oral micronized progesterone daily at bedtime. The study reported a reduction in VMS scores for the progesterone group compared to the placebo group.

2. Sleep Quality

40% to 60% of menopausal women complain of sleep disturbances. These figures are common to women transitioning to menopause (perimenopause). Progesterone has a calming effect and enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation) in the brain, promoting better sleep.

3. Mental Health

Progesterone’s antidepressant-like effects stimulate the brain’s limbic system (manages emotion and behavior).

Postmenopausal women are prone to anxiety, migraine, moodiness, and depression because their body is not

producing enough progesterone.


Progesterone in HRT relieves postmenopausal anxiety, nervous tension, and moodiness. Additionally, some studies

proved it improves visual and verbal memory of postmenopausal women that took it regularly. 


4. Endometrial Cancer Risk


Women in their productivity stage shed their lining (endometrium) every month (period). Once the fertility stage is over,

the endometrium remains in place. 


Menopausal women taking estrogen-only HRT or other HRT types that have higher doses of estrogen cause the lining

to thicken. A thicker endometrium increases endometrial cancer risk. So, doctors prescribe progesterone along with

estrogen to keep the lining thin. 


5. Low Libido


40% to 50% of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience low sex drive because of stress and vaginal

dryness. Experts noted these numbers will increase when they turn postmenopausal because of sexual dysfunction. 

Progesterone HRT improves libido by increasing testosterone production and boosting arousal levels. Also, it increases vaginal lubrication and reduces pain during intercourse. 

6. Skin Health

Declining estrogen levels makes menopausal women dry and thin. This results in many skin health issues, like acne,

easy bruising (takes longer to heal), melasma, wrinkles, eczema, flushing, and sagging. 


Progesterone supports collagen production through:

Stimulating Fibroblasts – Fibroblasts are cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin. Research shows that progesterone enhances fibroblast function (leading to better skin repair).

Increasing Skin Hydration – Progesterone helps with sebum production and water retention. It keeps the skin plump and hydrated (indirectly supporting collagen function).

Protecting Against Oxidative Stress – By modulating inflammatory pathways and reducing oxidative damage, progesterone slows collagen breakdown and preserves skin health.

A study published in The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that topical progesterone improved skin elasticity and thickness in postmenopausal women over a 16-week period.

7. Heart Health

While estrogen is the primary protective hormone of the heart, progesterone supports heart function by improving blood

vessel flexibility, reducing inflammation, and regulating blood pressure.

It relaxes and widens blood vessels by stimulating nitric oxide production to improve circulation and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Also, its anti-inflammatory effects prevent arterial damage and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup).

A 2020 study published in Menopause reported that women using bioidentical progesterone along with estrogen had better arterial flexibility.

Recommended Dosage

On average, HRT treatment lasts for 2 to 5 years (or until postmenopause symptoms lessen). However, this duration varies according to individual needs and healthcare factors. The recommended dosage for progesterone is:

  • For menopausal women, 200 milligrams (mg) daily for 12 days each 28-day cycle.

  • For people who have not had a period for at least 3 consecutive months, 400 mg daily for 10 days.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Headache

  • Irritability

  • mood swings

  • muscle, joint, or bone pain

  • Nausea

  • Tiredness

  • Vomiting

  • fluid retention or weight gain

  • breast pain or tenderness

  • vaginal discharge or bleeding

It's not recommended for

  • had uterus removal

  • over 60 years old

  • have been menopausal for longer than 10 years

  • allergic to any medications or peanuts

  • have a personal or family history of breast cancer, heart attack, dementia, osteoporosis, blood clots, and liver disease.

Sources

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Causes of Vaginal Bleeding on HRT

Image
  60% of menopausal women on HRT (no matter the type) experience vaginal bleeding. depends on the type of HRT a woman is taking: If you're taking sequential HRT (estrogen daily and progesterone for part of the month), you'll likely experience withdrawal bleeding at the end of the progesterone cycle (similar to a period), lasting 3-7 days. Sequential HRT is recommended during perimenopause or in the first 2 years after menopause. This bleeding (withdrawal bleeding) is lighter than a typical menstrual period. This therapy has a scheduled bleeding and it’s ideal for women who want to take control of their period. With continuous combined HRT (estrogen and progesterone daily), bleeding is less common as some women experience spotting or light bleeding in the first few months. This treatment is recommended 1 or 2 years after menopause. Some women switched from sequential HRT to continuous HRT because of less bleeding. On average, vaginal bleeding or spotting starts after the first...
Read more

Why Most Menopausal Working Women Left Their Jobs?

Image
  Nearly 8 out of 10 women go through menopause while still at work. A study by BUPA and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found 72% of menopausal women felt unsupported at work and nearly 36% experienced stigma discussing menopause in their workplace. Recognizing the importance of supporting employees through menopause promotes well-being and inclusivity in the workplace. The UK's SimplyHealth survey in late 2023 showed that 23% of menopausal working women considered resigning and 14% were planning to submit their notice. These came from 2,000 working women aged 40 to 60.  While this data is small compared to the 1.1 billion menopause or postmenopause women, this speaks volumes about how women view their working conditions. What are the top reasons? 1. Menopause Symptoms Affecting Job Responsibilities According to London's Faculty of Occupational Medicine 8 out of 10 women go through menopause while still at work. Most of them experience its onset be...
Read more

8 Perimenopause Facts

Image
  Perimenopause or 'around menopause' is when the body makes the natural transition to menopause. Women start perimenopause at different ages. Mostly, it starts when they're mid-30s.  The common symptoms are irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness. Once the woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, she's officially reached menopause and the perimenopause period is over. This article highlights the 8 perimenopause facts that will guide you in your transition.  1. Perimenopause affects mental health. About 4 in 10 women have mood symptoms during perimenopause that are similar to PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Perimenopausal women feel irritable, have low energy, feel tearful and moody, or have a hard time concentrating. Unlike PMS, these symptoms come at times unrelated to the menstrual cycle and they occur for years with no pattern. This type of mood change is known as perimenopausal mood instability . Additionall...
Read more