Using Progesterone Capsules for Hormone Replacement in Postmenopausal Women
Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when she stops having her period. That's why some people call menopause "the change of life." A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for an entire year and there are no other causes for this change.
Menopause symptoms include:
- Vaginal changes, such as dryness or irritation
- Changes in your period, including abnormal bleeding or "spotting"
- Hot flashes (sometimes known as hot flushes)
- Night sweats and sleeping problems (including insomnia)
- Thinning and weakening of your bones
- Mood changes
- Urinary problems
- Problems with concentration or memory
- Less interest in sex and changes in sexual response
- Weight gain or increase in body fat around your waist
- Hair thinning or loss.
For some women, these symptoms are quite severe, and some form of
menopause relief may be necessary. This may include medications,
natural menopause relief remedies, or non-medical ways to deal with the symptoms.
Estrogen medications are quite effective at relieving the
symptoms of menopause. However, for women with a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy), taking estrogen medications alone (without progesterone or a progesterone-like hormone) can cause the lining of the uterus to build up, which can lead to cancerous changes.
Progesterone capsules are approved for preventing this buildup (known as endometrial hyperplasia) in postmenopausal women taking
conjugated estrogen medications (
Cenestin®,
Enjuvia™, or
Premarin®). Although progesterone capsules are not approved for this use in women taking other types of estrogen, there is no reason to expect that the medication would not be effective for such use.
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