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Progesterone Cream Safety

Progesterone in its synthetic form is commonly prescribed along with estrogen to treat symptoms of menopause. One application of progesterone is through a vaginal cream. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 6 million women are on estrogen-and-progestin therapy.

  1. Progesterone Cream Application

    • Progestin is the synthetic form of progesterone, which a woman's body releases during the menstrual cycle. The hormone can be administered through vaginal gel or intrauterine device (IUD). Progesterone cream is applied to the vagina to introduce hormones into the body and relieve vaginal dryness.

    Use

    • Progesterone cream is normally used in conjunction with estrogen therapy. Estrogen eases symptoms of menopause, but may cause a thickening of the uterine lining which may lead to uterine cancer. Progesterone, in the form of a pill or cream, decreases the risk of developing cancer by reducing the thickening of the uterine wall.

    Other Applications

    • Progesterone cream may also be used by men and pregnant and lactating moms, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The cream should be rubbed into soft tissues of the body including the neck, chest, abdomen and inside elbows. Application areas should be rotated. A dose for women should not exceed 1/4 tsp. and 1/8 tsp. for men, according to the FDA.

    Side Effects

    • Possible side effects with progesterone therapy include headache, mood swings, vaginal discharge, muscle, joint or bone pain, vomiting and upset stomach. Among serious side effects are loss of vision or blurry vision, swelling of legs, breast lumps, migraines, depression, unexpected vaginal bleeding, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, and weakness or numbness in limbs.

    Research

    • Studies conducted between 1993 and 2007 on combination hormone therapy, dubbed the Women's Health Initiative, found an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attacks and cancer in women taking progestin and estrogen. However, the incidence of death was not statistically significant.

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