PROMETRIUM (PROGESTERONE)

Prometrium Description

Prometrium medication contains the bioidentical hormone called Progesterone, meaning it is chemically identical to the same hormone produced by your ovaries.

Progesterone has a variety of important functions in the body. Progesterone prepares the lining of the uterus to protect and nourish a growing baby during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta during pregnancy to nourish the baby.

Prometrium or generic Progesterone may also be prescribed to control or regulate the menstrual cycle in the treatment of amenorrhea.

Prometrium Uses

If you are a postmenopausal woman taking Estrogen hormones and have not had a hysterectomy, your doctor may prescribe Prometrium to prevent endometrial hyperplasia. This is a condition in which your uterine lining becomes abnormally thick and may worsen or occur often if you are only taking Estrogen without Progesterone.

Usually during the latter part of your menstrual cycle Progesterone causes the lining of your uterus (endometrium) to shed. However, if you do not ovulate, Progesterone is not produced so the lining remains and could continue to grow if you are only taking Estrogen. To help stop this from happening, talk to your doctor about a prescription for Prometrium or generic Progesterone. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Prometrium may also be prescribed to treat primary and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when a young woman has never started menstruation, while secondary amenorrhea refers to a woman that has stopped having periods. This may be due to a gynecological disorder, being very underweight, a serious illness, or from physical stress as experienced by long distance runners.

Prometrium Benefits

Many doctors and researchers are in agreement that even if you have had a partial or complete hysterectomy and are no longer able to become pregnant, your body will still benefit from taking Progesterone. This hormone is responsible for carrying out many functions, including the prevention of osteoporosis, protecting against cardiovascular disease by reducing blood pressure and inhibiting the buildup of cholesterol. Progestins are a synthetic version of Progesterone and do not exhibit as many benefits as Prometrium can as a bioidentical hormone.

Before You Take Prometrium

The presence of other medical problems may affect your ability to safely take Prometrium. Make sure you tell your doctor if you currently have or have had any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding
• Allergy to peanuts or peanut oil
• Blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
• Breast cancer
• Heart attack
• Liver disease
• Stroke

Prometrium Precautions

Prometrium or Progesterone generic should be used with caution with Ketoconazole, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin because they slow the breakdown of Progesterone and increase its levels in the body.

There is a very slight chance that this medicine could increase the risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer in some women. Using large doses of this medicine over a long period of time and using it with an estrogen medicine may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or dementia. Talk with your doctor about these risks.

Possible Prometrium Side Effects

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Joint pain
• Mood swings
• Abdominal pain
• Breast tenderness

You should stop using Prometrium and check with your doctor right away if you have: pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves; difficulty with breathing; a sudden, severe headache; slurred speech; a sudden, unexplained shortness of breath; a sudden loss of coordination; or vision changes while using this medicine.