Natural Progesterone & Side Effects

Natural progesterone can help relieve premenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, breast tenderness, headaches, breast fibroids and irregular periods. Natural progesterone is available in both capsules and a cream.

Oral Progesterone Capsules

• Oral progesterone may cause drowsiness and should be taken at night. Some forms contain peanut oil and should not be taken by women with peanut allergies.

Progesterone Cream

• Many doctors, such as the late hormone specialist Dr. John R. Lee, believe progesterone cream to be safe, with few or no side effects. Cream should be applied to a different area of the body each time to avoid skin irritation.

Side Effects

• Though some studies have shown progesterone hormone therapy to be safe, naturopathic physicians such as Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Joseph Mercola have expressed doubts about the effectiveness and long-term effects of progesterone cream. Dr. Mercola believes that continued elevated levels of progesterone can lead to imbalances of other adrenal hormones, such as testosterone, cortisol and DHEA.

Adrenal Hormone Imbalances

• Imbalances in adrenal hormones can lead to other health problems such as weight gain, immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, depression, obesity and cancer.

Balancing Hormone Levels

• To keep hormone levels balanced, Dr. Mercola advises using low-dosage creams with 10 percent progesterone or using varying concentrations to mimic the body's natural cyclical hormone production. Following a healthy diet and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can also help keep hormone levels balanced.