Progesterone Side Effects

Progesterone is a female steroid hormone that helps in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, or assists in getting pregnant. It is also used in early pregnancy if a woman is at a high risk of miscarrying since progesterone aids in pregnancy without the loss of embryo or fetus. Women who have completed menopause are also advised to take progesterone to treat hormonal changes and their symptoms. It is available over the counter in the form of pills, creams, oils, shots, or suppositories in a naturally sourced or synthetic form, called progestin. Further, you can also find it in contraceptives, such as birth control pills or injections, and in hormone replacement therapies for menopausal women. Unfortunately, apart from benefiting a woman’s body, progesterone has several side effects associated with its use. Glance through the following to find out these negative effects.

 

 

Excessive consumption of progesterone pills causes a change in the breasts of a woman. This is probably one of the most common side effects of taking progesterone. Common to what a woman experiences during premenstrual syndrome, these birth control pills can result in several changes including a change in the size of the breasts, tenderness of breasts, weight gain, and others.

 

The digestive system of a woman is also largely affected by the intake of progesterone pills. Excessive consumption of these pills can cause problems, such as nausea, heartburn, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. If any woman suffers from any of these signs, she should consult a doctor at the earliest.

 

The menstrual cycle of a woman is also at a high risk with consumption of progesterone pills. The cycle can get irregular, leading to excessive bleeding or long and short durations of periods.

 

When progesterone levels get too high, women are likely to experience mood swings or depression. Other women may also complain of feelings of euphoria. However, depression is the most common side effect resulting due to consumption of a product containing only progestin, as against one that even contains estrogen, which acts as a neutralizer on progesterone.

 

With an increase in the consumption of progesterone pills, women undergo several sleep issues, ranging from tiredness to sedation to insomnia. Experts indicate that low levels of progesterone induce sleep while higher doses inhibit it.

 

Bloating is another common side effect of excessive progesterone that, in turn, leads to weight gain. Women can also suffer from fluid retention, a common problem during premenstrual syndrome.

 

Dizziness or faintness, chest pain, coughing out blood, leg swelling or pain, blurred vision, double vision, bulging eyes, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and sudden difficulty in breathing are some serious side effects of progesterone, which should be reported to a doctor immediately. Other serious negative effects include vaginal bleeding, rapid heartbeat, uncontrollable shaking, lumps in breast tissue, severe migraine headaches, and hoarseness or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, or ankles. Any experience of these symptoms should not be ignored. Using progesterone creams, oils, and gels also have several negative effects, such as change in sex drive, difficult or painful sexual intercourse, vaginal itching, visual or speech disturbances, increased appetite, urination at night, joint pain, constipation, nervousness, pain around vaginal area, or pain in the groin.

 

These several side effects of progesterone can even be life threatening. Hence, it should only be used if prescribed by your healthcare professional.