Progesterone and Depression: What Users Say

• SL2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2022

Progesterone for Perimenopausal Symptoms "I tried taking 100 mg of Prometrium daily for 3 days after entering menopause at age 51. I have not had a period in almost 1 year. It is awful stuff. It immediately gave me a horrible dull headache, a sense of depression, and a feeling of malaise. I'll stick with natural remedies for hot flashes, which Prometrium also made worse, frankly. It is also worth noting that I have never taken birth control or any other hormone supplements."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2022

Progesterone for Progesterone Insufficiency "Side effects not worth the gain. Had been using bioidentical progesterone (via a troche) for the last 12 years with no side effects, until my doctor retired, leaving a 5-month wait for a new bio-id doctor willing to take on new patients. In the interim, I moved to an online service that prescribed Prometrium. It's awful. I wake each morning feeling like I've been hit by a bus: deeply tired, no energy, no libido, and a consistently flat mood bordering on mild depression with swings of moodiness. The worst symptom, though, is the extreme increase in asthma and struggle to breathe even after the lightest exertion (something I've not experienced before and is equally frightening for my family). The service advised me to double the estrogel, hoping to balance it, then to cut the Prometrium dosage in half, but that's causing noticeable weight gain and the side effects lessen on the day after I don't take it, but not significantly. It's been 3 months of struggle. This drug clearly doesn't suit me."

• Jin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2022

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "First, I tried oral Prometrium and had an awful experience. Very drowsy the next day, extremely vivid dreams, and within two weeks, I was depressed. Switched to vaginal Prometrium, and at first, everything was fine. Then I started having panic attacks and high anxiety. I had labs drawn after I missed a few periods, my FSH was suppressed and my progesterone too high. Needless to say, I must talk to my Dr. about the dose. I never thought progesterone could make you anxious, but it has been awful for me. My progesterone levels were fine for my age in peri-menopause-now I have the progesterone levels of a woman trying to conceive! If you do need to take it, take it vaginally, not orally! The metabolites can make you feel awful, foggy, and out of it, but vaginally, no issue. Except in my case with the problems of anxiety and suppression of FSH and periods."

• Cup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2020

For Endometriosis "Took this medication, progesterone, post-hysterectomy for endometriosis. Made me very drowsy, so was forced to take it at night. Also caused extreme depression and fatigue, with a groggy feeling in the morning. Felt like I wasn't getting enough sleep. Completely got rid of my sex drive, couldn't even get turned on. Stopped taking it after a month and feel much better without it."

• qaf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2022

For Female Infertility "Repeat miscarriages in the first trimester. Given 200 mg of progesterone to take after ovulation until the period to support pregnancy. Took it for one cycle and became suicidal, depressed, and now am not experiencing a period. I used to have irregular periods and then had regular periods for almost 3 years, during which I've had multiple losses. Now am back to being irregular after this progesterone treatment. I stopped taking it because of the suicidal ideations."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2011

For Premature Labor "After each injection, I would be exhausted the next day. I would have severe depression, which seemed to get worse with each injection. I'm only 25 weeks and have to continue taking it until I'm 34 weeks. We'll see if it helps me go full term."