What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone that plays an important role in the female reproductive system. It is primarily produced by the ovaries and is used to prepare the body for pregnancy. During the menstrual cycle, progesterone is released in order to thicken the uterine lining and prepare for a possible fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels will drop and the uterine lining will shed as menstruation begins. However, if a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, progesterone levels will remain high as the body prepares for pregnancy. This includes preparing the breasts for milk production.
Progesterone and HRT
Hormone replacement therapy helps replenish low levels of hormones such as progesterone. When the body is unable to produce the necessary amount of a certain hormone, patients may look to outside sources to support their bodies’ natural functions. Progesterone is also used to treat a variety of conditions related to the menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall quality of life. Some people take progesterone to help improve sleep. Irregularities in progesterone can lead to:
- Abnormal ovulation
- Limited uterine lining growth (luteal phase defect)
- Abnormal thickening of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
- Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, etc.)
- Difficulty sleeping
Taking progesterone under the supervision of a medical practitioner may help alleviate several symptoms of this hormonal imbalance.
Compounded Generic Progesterone
Compounding pharmacies are able to create generic alternatives to popular progesterone products such as Prometrium. Our professional lab incorporates the necessary bioidentical hormone and an additional 1 or 2 ingredients in order to develop the desired hormone medication. This can come in a variety of dosage sizes and dosage forms including troches, capsules, gels, and more.
Ingredients Used in Compounded Progesterone
Our progesterone products are made as clean as possible in our board-certified lab. They include as few as 2 or 3 ingredients in the entire capsule. This will depend on the desired release of the medication (either fast release or slow release). We also do not use peanut oil, which is great for people with peanut allergies. Instead, we use yam or soy. We typically use yam, but client preference is always considered.
Prometrium vs Generic Progesterone Capsules
Prometrium is a popular progesterone medication used for HRT or other purposes. It is a brand-name drug that comes in capsules. Generic progesterone capsules are made by compounding pharmacies as an alternative to drugs such as Prometrium. Below are a few key differences:
| Prometrium | Generic Progesterone Capsules | |
|---|---|---|
| Dosage Size | 100mg or 200mg. | Anywhere from 1mg – 350mg as required by client. |
| Ingredients |
Inactive ingredients include:
|
Made as clean as possible with only 2 or 3 ingredients. This includes:
|
| Availability | Can be prescribed by practitioner and filled at any pharmacy. | Can be prescribed by practitioner but needs to be filled at a compounding pharmacy. |
| Drug Forms | Only available in capsules. | Available in capsules, troches, and rapid dissolve tablets (RDTs). Compounding pharmacies can also make gels and other topical forms if they are applicable to the prescription. |
How to Take Progesterone
Progesterone capsules, troches, or RDTs can be taken once daily. Capsules are swallowed and will be absorbed through the digestive system. Troches and RDTs, however, are sublingual forms that dissolve in the mouth. This avoids the first-pass metabolism by delivering the hormones through the capillaries in the cheeks and under the tongue. This increases bioavailability. Many patients will take their progesterone medication right before bed due to the drowsiness side effect.
A Great Alternative for Progesterone
Generic progesterone capsules are a great alternative to name-brand progesterone products. Compounding allows for special customizations to better fit the patient’s needs. Patients are not locked into specific dosage sizes. Any size can be compounded from 1mg to 350 mg. If capsules are not the best fit, progesterone can also be compounded into different forms such as troches and RDTs. Compounded generic progesterone can be a part of hormone replacement therapy with the guidance of your practitioner and pharmacist.
Rachel Burns, PharmD
Lead Pharmacist, ClearSpring Pharmacy
