What is the difference between progestin and progesterone

Thanks for getting back to me. The exhaustion has been constant since approximately her early teens. She could easily sleep 12 hours a day and still be completely exhausted. This is one of the primary research areas for Idiopathic Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy. This study seems to agree with your first point.

A hypersensitivity to ALLO could have been in her problem, but in that case, the symptoms would have been restricted to the luteal post-ovulation phase which is the last two weeks of the cycle.

Because we only make ALLO after ovulation. Pretty much any progestin will shut down ALLO. The problem is that many progestins have their own negative effects on the mood and nervous system. Maybe just enough to suppress ovulation but not so much as to cause side effects. Hi, just discovered your blog which is amazing. I have had several uterine polyps removed in the past and my periods are regular but very heavy.

Does it mean a new polyp formed? I did a scan and my Dr could not see any polyp but he also said that they can be hard to see….

Is there any solution to my pain? Thanks Lara. I did read those, and my Dr says I do not have endometriosis nor adenomyosis, my Dr says it is all due to a thick uterine layer from estrogen dominance. Keep looking for someone that does. It discusses the problem of anovulatory cycles estrogen dominance and thickened uterine lining. Micronised bioidentical progesterone can be obtained as the brands Prometrium, Utrogestan, or compounded capsules.

Amazing, here I am worrying that having come off the Merina that my body will miss all the progesterone!!! I think its a disgrace that we are not more informed about what we put in our bodies… thank you for this information. Makes me dizzy and feel a little anxious and depressed. Is this common and any other suggestions. I took a natural compound for 6 months and felt amazing.

We always assumed it was due to long-term use of birth control, which I stopped. There were some life stressors, but I swore it was another imbalance, and yet, all came back normal.

Again and again. One was the 13th day of my cycle, and one was the 18th after ovulation. Hi Lara! Thanks to you and your book I started to understand better my specifics and after 3 months BBT charting and testing progesterone 7 days after ovulation it seems I do have a progesterone deficiency. So I need to start supplementing progesterone, but in Europe is hard to find natural progesterone. Its interesting that for both progestins and progesterone are described the same side effects such as blood clots, depression and liver disfunction.

What do you thinkabou that? From what I can see on their website, Progesteril contains only wild yam and soy and no hormones, bioidentical or otherwise. Unless the hormones are there but not on the ingredient list. Thank you, just one thing more — is it still pharmaceutical, isnt it? It is not make from wild yam as the progesterone creame is made. Hello Lara, just to clarify, would levonorgestrel block progesterone lower it , making cortisol high or would it increase progesterone levels overall?

Very much interested in your reply, thank you! When levonorgestrel is given in a dose sufficient to block ovulation most pills and implants , then it switches off progesterone entirely. Because ovulation is the only way to make progesterone. The levonorgestrel in the Mirena IUD is a lower dose and so does not always switch off ovulation but it sometimes does , so does not lower progesterone as much.

I have been recommended the mirena to stop heavy periods as my ferritin is and has been well below acceptable for a long time. Had radioactive nuclear scan and thyroid ok. Should I just change my diet or be looking at progesterone therapy? Or is my only option surgical eg ablation? Or will I find the movie re natural answers in your book as I do t want to mess up the balance and communication pathways even more before I hit menopause. Just trying to figure out why my hair started to miniaturize after being on those shots during weeks of my pregnancy.

Hi Leah, I can understand your frustration. When natural progesterone could be given instead. I really hope it changes soon! As for your symptoms, it would make sense to me that exposure to that progesterone-like drug could set you up for a progesterone allergy. But, I do not know that to be true.

As far as I can tell. Is the P shot, often given during pregnancy to prevent pre-term labor, bioidentical progesterone? Whoops, saw that you already answered this below in the comments to one of my earlier questions, no less. Any idea what the standard dose is for these shots am just trying to figure out how much I was given and I no longer have my script handy?

Sorry I misled you there. Thank you, Lara. My biggest frustration is that I specifically asked my high-risk OB in a major metropolitan area what the ingredients and side effects were. I was told that the shots were identical to natural progesterone and that there are no risks of side effects. My doctor put me on medroxyprogesterone and told me it is not effective as birth control. He is clearly confused.

I told him it is birth control because that is what it says. I am so frustrated. I need to add that he told me to use it because I am currently going through fertility treatments.

I see that you said bioidentical progesterone is used in fertility treatments. Will this cause harm to me or my child since I was given a progestin and not bioidentical progesterone? I exercise regularly and have a well balanced, nutritious diet.

I need help! I am wondering though — would getting more progesterone help with menstrual pain? Looking for a serious answer!

Do you think progesterone cream would help with ovulation pains that come every month? Even if you have regular cycles? For my patients, I sometimes recommend a dairy-free diet and low-dose iodine to resolve ovulation pain. It depends on whether there is another condition present like endometriosis. Is that a progestin as well?

And is there a natural progesterone strong enough to suppress menstruation completely? Lutenyl is the progestin nomegestrol acetate. I really need to supplement natural progesterone, but it is cost prohibitive for me on a retired income to do this through a doctor.

Are there any over the counter natural progesterone products available that are trustworthy? Had the Mirena IUD inserted to treat heavy bleeding caused by a submucosal fibroid. It worked. The bleeding stopped. I stopped having periods. GYN was insistent about leaving it in. After a miserable year, I found a new GYN, had the Mirena removed, and immediately started bleeding like never before. Had 2 hysterscopic myomectomies 6 mos. My mood is fine, but the bleeding continues.

Upped the dose to mg. Still bleeding. These are my questions: 1 Are there differences between generic bio-identical micronized progesterone capsules and brand-name Prometrium? Generic bioidentical micronized progesterone is the same as Prometrium. You could try talking to your doctor about a higher dose mg dose of the Prometrium.

It might work used in conjunction with the heavy period treatments dairy-free and turmeric. Please see my heavy period post. One of the reasons that Mirena disrupts mood is that it alters the stress adrenal response, so you could try it combined with treatments for the stress response including magnesium, zinc, and yes, maybe Prometrium. Hello, Is there a difference ibetween prometrium and the generic teva progesterone, beyond the fillers in them?

Are they both bioidenticals? Teva is a name of generics manufacturer. Hi Lara, I was prescribed Duphaston a progestin 12 days a month to help regulate my periods always been irregular probably due to PCOS.

Or should I insist on Prometrium or bioidentical progesterone cream? A far better solution is the correct the underlying reason for PCOS , thereby promoting regular ovulation. Will progesterone supplements cause IUDs to be ineffective? I currently have Mirena and I am dealing with the side effects of having too much estrogen and no progesterone such as acne, low libido, and mood swings. My daughter has PMDD. I am fairly certain the gynecologist will recommend birth control. Are ther options out there?

She is not sexually active and Would prefer not to be on animal-based synthetic hormones. Hi, dr. Wich could be a safe dosis to support a lutheal phase or to get a period? A high-dose progesterone-induced bleed is not a real period. A real period is one that follows ovulation and a luteal phase. A luteal phase is defined as the time following ovulation.

So the strategy to have a real period is to figure out why ovulation is not occurring and then correct THAT. For more information, please see my Ovulation post , and also my book Period Repair Manual. My fear was that i tooked so much of it progesterone. Thank you for this awesome website and help! I have had PCOS for 15 years I am 27 years old and have used birth control to help regulate periods for all of these years.

About 5 months ago I started a gluten, dairy, and soy free diet as well as cut out sugar and caffeine. I am extremely wowed by the results I have had thus far. I have been able to get off of my anti-depressant and birth control. Feeling great! My doctor wants me to take Progesterone if I do not get my period, for I am trying to conceive. My pharmacist prescribed me the generic version of Prometrium…and it was filled as Progesterone Capsules. Are these Progesterone Capsules really the same thing as Prometrium?

Hi Lara i have pcos. Do you ever do consults? I would love to pay for some of your time. Ordering your book right now, regardless…. Lots of things happened between then and now including vitex berry did not help , diagnosis of PCOS with massive allergic reaction to medications birth control, metformin , diagnosis of adrenal fatigue none of the adrenal treatments worked. I found my own way to bioidentical progesterone cream last month and it has taken care of many of my symptoms!!!

I still have awful acne that comes and goes with the wind and my periods are off, but I feel amazing and my other symptoms seem to be going away slowly. I started again on day 8, but my period started after a week. It seems all the info on the internet is conflicting and I really need a professional opinion. Please let me know if we could have a Skype call!

And enjoy your holiday weekend. Best regards, Marlee. I generally do not like to give progesterone in the follicular phase before ovulation because it can disrupt ovulation. As for a possible Skype consult, please send me a private message. Have seen some practitioners say that progesterone used as a cream is x stronger than oral, injected forms. I am taking Prometrium by Merck, and have been told that this is NOT a natural biodentical hormone, yet I see it repeatedly referred to as being one.

You have even mentioned it on your blog post. Is there a different Prometrium product that I am not aware of or is this the product you are recommending in your post? Which is high compared to the dose of 20 mg that I discuss in my book. So for any hormone replacement there are two issues: First: is it bioidentical. I have just increased my dose of promethium to mg and taking two pumps of Estrogel and feel great.

Until today. I got my period. I have been in menopause for 3 years. Is this caused by too much estrogen? Too much progesterone? I should mention that I have adrenal fatigue and low cortisol. Please speak to your doctor about the fact that you got a period. At the right dose, post-menopausal HRT should not cause bleeding. I have endo and low progesterone, peri menopausal, mids, not on contraceptive pill since 21 , healthy diet. Am also going to supplement with your rec herbs and minerals.

Can I buy over-counter at chemist? Bio-identical progesterone is not available over-the-counter in Australia. Most people obtain either from a compounding chemist with a script , or order online from the US. Great website too thanks Lara. Actually, i was diagnosed at ovarian cysts and uterine polyp by ultrasonic. I have painful menstruation.

My doctor said me, that at first its important to reduce cyst and he prescribed mi hormonal birth control YAZ for three months.

He said me, that it makes the cyst smaller or let it disappear. I have to come to control in next month. Than, he will remove me uterine polyp. My question is, if its needs to take hormonal birth control HBM to make the cyst smaller or let it disappear.

Why is the HBM prescribing? What would you do to help her more naturally? Hi Lara, I just finished your wonderful book and am sleeping well again thanks to magnesium. So thank you! PDF 84 kb. Detailed search strategy. PDF 63 kb. Noor Asi, Phone: , Email: ude. Khaled Mohammed, Email: ude. Qusay Haydour, Email: moc.

Michael R. Gionfriddo, Email: ude. Oscar L. Morey Vargas, Email: ude. Larry J. Prokop, Email: ude. Stephanie S. Faubion, Email: ude. Mohammad Hassan Murad, Email: ude. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.

Journal List Syst Rev v. Syst Rev. Published online Jul Gionfriddo , 3 Oscar L. Morey Vargas , 4 Larry J. Prokop , 5 Stephanie S. Faubion , 6 and Mohammad Hassan Murad 1.

Morey Vargas. Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Corresponding author. Received Aug 14; Accepted Jun This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Abstract Background Use of menopausal hormonal therapy MHT -containing estrogen and a synthetic progestin is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Results We included two cohort studies and one population-based case-control study out of citations identified by the search.

Conclusions Observational studies suggest that in menopausal women, estrogen and progesterone use may be associated with lower breast cancer risk compared to synthetic progestin. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article doi Background Menopausal hormone therapy MHT is highly effective for the treatment of symptoms related to menopause [ 1 ].

Methods A predefined protocol was developed by experts from the Endocrine Society to conduct this systematic review. Study selection Using an online reference management system DistillerSR Distiller SR, Evidence Partners Incorporated, Ontario, Canada , abstracts and titles that resulted from the electronic search strategy were independently evaluated by two reviewers for potential eligibility, and the full-text versions of all potentially eligible studies were obtained.

Risk of bias assessment We used a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale NOS [ 14 ] to appraise the risk of bias of the observational studies. Results The initial search resulted in citations. Open in a separate window. Table 1 Description of included studies. Table 3 The effect of progesterone vs. Table 2 Risk of bias assessment of the included studies.

Study Representativeness of the exposed cohort Selection of the non-exposed cohort Ascertainment of exposure Outcome of interest was not present at start of study Comparability of cohorts Assessment of outcome Adequacy of follow-up cohort Espie et al.

Discussion Based on this systematic review and meta-analysis, progesterone may be associated with lower breast cancer risk compared to synthetic progestins, when each is given in combination with estrogen. Clinical implications Accumulating evidence suggests that important differences in risks and benefits exist between various MHT regimens, making individualization of MHT essential. Strengths and limitations The strength of our review relates to following a predefined protocol, rigorous database search, and duplicate study selection and data extraction.

Conclusions Observational studies suggest that in menopausal women taking estrogen, progesterone use may be associated with lower breast cancer risk compared to synthetic progestin. Competing interests This review was funded by a contract from the Endocrine Society. References 1. National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health state-of-the-science conference statement: management of menopause-related symptoms.

Ann Intern Med. Bioidentical hormone therapy. Mayo Clin Proc. Endocr Rev. Glucocorticoid receptor activity discriminates between progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate effects in breast cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Lambrinoudaki I. Progestogens in postmenopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer. Prescribing menopausal hormone therapy: an evidence-based approach.

Int J Women's Health. Unequal risks for breast cancer associated with different hormone replacement therapies: results from the E3N cohort study. Santen RJ. Risk of breast cancer with progestins: critical assessment of current data. Progesterone receptor modulates ERalpha action in breast cancer.

Cardiovascular risk markers during treatment with estradiol and trimegestone or dydrogesterone. This is another case of confusing terminology. These umbrella terms confuse the non-medical among us and mask the fact that these products may have different ways of interacting in the body and different safety profiles.

The progestins listed on the right are generic names. Our hormone therapy chart shows all of the available products. Progestins are a class of drugs manufactured in a lab by pharmaceutical companies to act like the progesterone our bodies make. However, the chemical structure of the synthesized molecule is not the same as the naturally occurring one, which has an impact on the way these progesterone-like molecules bind to progesterone receptors in our bodies.

Progesterone dissipates quickly in the body, so progestins were designed to be more potent and have a longer-lasting effect. As such, progestins are more potent than natural progesterone. Progesterone USP, derived from plants and manufactured in a lab, is bioidentical — that is, molecularly identical to the progesterone made in our bodies. Looking at the chemical structure of progestins and progesterone, it is clear they are not the same.

For more types and structure pictures, see the first article in the references below. These images are from PubChem. Quick start guide to progesterone and progestins — by Anna Garrett, pharmacist. Research Suggests: There might safety and tolerability differences between progesterone and progestin products In , a randomized-controlled trial compared different estrogen and progestogen products that have progesterone-like effects combinations on markers of cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.

Early evidence in studies about the differential breast cancer risk with progesterone versus progestin. Another finding: controlled studies and most observational studies published over the last five years suggest that the addition of synthetic progestins to estrogen in hormone replacement therapy, particularly in a continuous-combined regimen, increases the breast cancer risk compared to estrogen alone. By contrast, a recent study suggests that the addition of natural progesterone in cyclic regimens does not affect breast cancer risk.

In terms of comparing safety, there has not yet been a randomized trial that demonstrates that bioidentical progesterone is safer than progestins synthetic, non-bioidentical. However, recent reviews of observational studies have raised the question of whether bioidentical progesterone is safer with respect to breast cancer risk than progestins like Provera medroxyprogesterone acetate 6,7.