Following consultation, a You Health provider determined that oral Progesterone capsules are medically appropriate and necessary for your treatment.

Progesterone Oral Capsule

The following medication overview provides an overview of frequently asked questions related to progesterone oral capsules. You will also receive a physical document called a drug monograph or patient drug information in the package with your medication when it arrives from the pharmacy which contains full information about generic progesterone oral capsules — you should read all of the information that comes with your prescription shipment before taking your medication.

It’s important that all of your healthcare providers are aware of your current treatments. Please let your primary care provider, specialists, and pharmacist know of your diagnosis and new medications to ensure safety with any other medications you may be taking.

In this medication overview you will find more information for the following:

1
How to use your medication
2
Side effects
3
Important safety information and warnings
4
Frequently Asked Questions

How to use your medication

Take 1 capsule by mouth daily before bedtime.

Side effects

The most common side effects of Progesterone Capsules include: Stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating, headaches, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, breast pain, fluid retention, vaginal yeast infection and irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting. These are not all the side effects of Progesterone Capsules You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important safety information and warnings

Do not take Progesterone Capsules if you:

Have abnormal and unusual vaginal bleeding
Are allergic to peanuts
Have, have had, or suspect breast cancer
Have, have had, or suspect vaginal cancer
Have had ovarian cancer but not had ovaries removed or been in remission for ovarian cancer for at least 1 year
Have had uterine or endometrial cancer but not had uterus removed or been in remission for uterine or endometrial cancer for at least 1 year
Have had cervical cancer but not had cervical cancer removed
Have a known or suspected estrogen-dependent cancer
Have active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and heart attack), or a history of these conditions
Have, or have had blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)
Have or have had liver dysfunction or disease
Have kidney dysfunction
Are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant
Are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed
Are allergic, or have had an anaphylactic reaction to the active ingredient in Progesterone Capsules. Progesterone is synthesized from a starting material from a plant source and is chemically identical to progesterone of human ovarian origin. Progesterone Capsules contain 100mg or 200mg of micronized progesterone, per capsule. Progesterone, USP is a white or creamy white, odorless, crystalline powder.
The inactive ingredients for Progesterone 100 mg capsules include: ferric oxide yellow, gelatin, glycerin, lecithin (soybean), peanut oil, titanium dioxide.
The inactive ingredients for Progesterone 200 mg capsules include: glycerin, lecithin (soybean), peanut oil, titanium dioxide.

Tell your healthcare provider about your other medical conditions, including if you:

Have liver problems
Have kidney problems
Have seizures (epilepsy)
Have asthma
Have diabetes
Have problems with your thyroid
Have migraine headaches
Have heart problems, or have had a heart attack
Have had a stroke
Have endometriosis
Have lupus
Have a high level of calcium in your blood
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
Are breastfeeding. Progesterone Capsules can pass into your breast milk

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines can affect how Progesterone Capsules work, and Progesterone Capsules can also affect how other medications work.

General information about the safe and effective use of Progesterone Capsules

Progesterone Capsules are to be taken at bedtime, as some women become very drowsy and/or dizzy after taking Progesterone Capsules. In a few cases, symptoms may include blurred vision, difficulty speaking, difficulty with walking, and feeling abnormal. If you experience these symptoms, discuss them with your clinical care team right away.
If you experience difficulty in swallowing Progesterone, USP Capsules, it is recommended that you take your daily dose at bedtime with a glass of water while in the standing position.

Medications are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not take Progesterone Capsules for conditions for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Progesterone Capsules to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

Keep Progesterone Capsules out of the reach of children

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. The product information provided is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is perimenopause and menopause?

Menopause occurs when monthly periods permanently stop for at least 12 months. During this time, the ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone, and the ovaries stop releasing eggs. Menopause does not occur suddenly, it can take years for ‘the change’ and this period of transition is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, periods become irregular and you may begin to feel menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. This medication is used to help alleviate those symptoms.

Is there a test for menopause?

Testing is not always recommended for most women, because a single blood test does not tell whether you are in perimenopause or menopause. Diagnosis is made using the patient’s reported medical history and a symptom assessment.

Can I still get pregnant on this medication?

As long as you are still having periods, even if they do not happen often, it is possible to get pregnant. If you have sex and do not want to get pregnant, you MUST use some form of birth control. If you think you may be pregnant, do not use this medication and you should have a pregnancy test and know the results.

Can I continue taking this medication if I become pregnant?

No. If you become pregnant or decide to try to conceive, please alert your provider who will direct you to follow up with your primary care provider or OBGYN for continued management.

I’m in perimenopause (I haven’t yet reached menopause). Can I keep taking my birth control while starting hormone therapy for my symptoms?

If you’re currently using hormonal birth control—such as the pill, patch, vaginal ring, or shot—it’s important to talk to your provider before starting hormone therapy for perimenopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy is used to manage perimenopausal symptoms, but it does not prevent pregnancy. Because it is still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause, you’ll still need effective birth control if you are trying to avoid pregnancy. Your provider can help you choose the safest and most effective approach for you. You may need to switch from a hormonal contraceptive to a non-hormonal or barrier method (like a copper IUD or condoms) while using hormone therapy.

What if I have vaginal bleeding while taking this medication?

Hormone therapy can cause light, unscheduled vaginal bleeding, often called “spotting”. This may occur while your body adjusts to the medication (or whenever you change doses or stop the medication). Spotting may occur for several months. For some women, the hormones makes their period unpredictable and causes heavier, more frequent or longer periods.

Vaginal bleeding after menopause can happen for other reasons and may be a sign of a health problem. It is most important to understand the cause of the bleeding, such as vaginal dryness, the hormone treatment itself, or other medical conditions, such as polyps of the uterus.

What happens if I stop this medication?

Progesterone is used to help protect the lining of the uterus in women who are taking estrogen. Stopping the medication will increase risks (including the risk of endometrial hyperplasia) if estrogen is not also stopped. Do not stop taking progesterone without first discussing it with a healthcare provider.

How long can I take this medication or stay on treatment?

The symptoms of menopause start in perimenopause and may last for years. However, it’s recommended that treatment only be used at the lowest dose necessary and for the shortest amount of time necessary to relieve moderate-to-severe symptoms. You should consult a provider if you are considering discontinuing treatment and regularly reassess your need to manage symptoms. Hormone therapy should be immediately discontinued if a contraindication develops, such as breast cancer, liver disease, or stroke.

Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?

While it doesn’t need to be completely avoided, drinking alcohol while taking oral progesterone is not generally recommended. Some studies suggest combining alcohol with progesterone causes dizziness and drowsiness, or make these symptoms worse. Do not operate machinery or drive if you have these symptoms.

Can I take cannabis while taking this medication?

There is limited research on using cannabis products while using hormone therapy. Interactions are possible, and cannabis causes its own side effects (such as cognitive impairment and sedation) that users should be aware of.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Please refer to the package insert that accompanied your progesterone for instructions on how to handle a missed dose.

Do I need to discontinue hormone replacement (HT) if I have an upcoming planned surgery?

Yes, it is recommended to discontinue estradiol (patch, pill, or vaginal cream) at least 4 weeks before surgery or during extended periods of immobility. Speak with your surgeon about when it is safe to restart hormone therapy (HT).

When can I expect to see improvement in my symptoms?

Symptom improvement from estradiol pills or patches often takes 4–12 weeks of consistent use of HRT.

I have high blood pressure. Will Hormone Therapy (HT) affect it?

Hormone Therapy (HT) can sometimes cause a small increase in blood pressure. However, certain types such as Transdermal Estrogen (patch) and micronized Progesterone may have a neutral or potential beneficial effect on blood pressure compared to oral preparations. Your primary care provider should continue to monitor your blood pressure regularly while you are on HT.

You can also help manage your blood pressure with healthy daily habits:

- Do not smoke, use tobacco or vape - Get tips for healthy nutrition in the app - Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (less than 2 drinks weekly) - Reduce the amount of salt in your diet - Get regular exercise (up to 150 min per week is optimal) - Aim for at least 7 or more hours of restorative sleep each night Ask your healthcare provider if there are any additional steps you can take to manage your blood pressure.