Menopause Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Prometrium
Prometrium is used to cause a period in premenopausal women who have stopped having them, as well as to prevent an excessive buildup of the uterine lining. This drug is identical in structure to the progesterone made naturally in the body. While most women have no problems with Prometrium, side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and breast pain can occur.
Interested in a Discount on Prometrium?
Enter your email address to see if eMedTV's free DiscountRx service has a program that could help you save on your prescription(s).
Thank you!
Thank you for your interest in DiscountRx from eMedTV. An email has been sent to the address you provided. Please follow the link within that email to see what offers may be available.
Prometrium® (progesterone capsules) is a prescription medication approved to:
- Prevent abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus in women taking estrogen hormone replacement therapy
- Cause a period in women who stopped having menstrual periods before menopause.
(Click Prometrium Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Prometrium is made by Solvay Pharmaceuticals.
Prometrium contains the hormone progesterone. It is structurally identical to the progesterone made naturally in the body. In fact, Prometrium is the only hormone replacement therapy medication with bio-identical progesterone that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Women who still have a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy) who take estrogen hormone replacement therapy must also take progesterone or a progestin (a synthetic progesterone-like drug) in order to prevent abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus caused by the estrogen. This abnormal thickening can lead to cancer of the lining of the uterus. Taking progesterone or a progestin decreases this risk. Of course, this applies only to women who still have a uterus (who have not had a hysterectomy). For women without a uterus, progesterone is usually considered unnecessary.
Prometrium is also approved to cause a period in women who have stopped having periods before menopause for various reasons. Stopping the drug after taking it for a short time (usually ten days) will cause "withdrawal" bleeding (a period) within seven days of the last dose. This mimics the normal drop in progesterone levels that causes regular menstrual periods.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD