Progesterone Cream Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives
Can progesterone cream ease symptoms of aging and hormonal changes?
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Progesterone cream is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is sometimes used to treat menopause symptoms, signs of skin aging, and bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis, but these uses are controversial. To date, there hasn't been much research into the use of progesterone cream and the evidence for its effectiveness is limited.
This article provides a list of purported progesterone cream benefits and discusses the side effects that can come with using it. It also includes dosage information along with what to look for in a progesterone cream product.
Related: 5 Signs You Are Entering Menopause
Progesterone Cream Benefits
Progesterone is a type of hormone that your ovaries produce. Its primary role is to help regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Most of the symptoms of menopause are caused by a drop in estrogen levels, but progesterone also drops during menopause. Low progesterone may contribute to certain menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Progesterone is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is prescribed to help prevent certain medical conditions and treat the symptoms of menopause. In oral HRT therapies, progesterone's primary role is to counter the negative effects of estrogen, such as an abnormal thickening of the uterine lining, which increases the risk of uterine cancer.
Progesterone cream is a topical medication containing progesterone. It is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of menopause, including:
Reducing hot flashes and vaginal dryness
Fighting fatigue
Improving mood and sleep
Relieving skin dryness, wrinkling, and thinning
Preventing osteopenia (loss of bone density)
Increasing libido (sex drive)
Reducing weight gain
Despite the health claims, research into progesterone cream has produced mixed and conflicting results.
Takeaway
Some over-the-counter plant-based creams such as wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) cream are marketed for "menopause support" and are sometimes labeled with the word "progesterone." Wild yam contains a compound called diosgenin that can be converted to progesterone in a lab. However, the body cannot change diosgenin into progesterone.
Menopause Symptoms
Progesterone cream has been poorly studied for its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of menopause. Many of the existing studies were done more than 10 years ago or involved small study groups. What's more, the existing studies have found mixed results, with some reporting significant improvement in symptoms and others reporting only slight or non-significant improvement.
Some studies have found that progesterone alone can help treat hot flashes, however, the data supporting the use of progesterone cream for this purpose is limited.
Takeaway
Other hormone replacement options are progesterone pills, suppositories, vaginal gels, and medicated patches that you place on your skin.
Skin Health
An older study published in the British Journal of Dermatology reported that progesterone cream led to firmer and more elastic skin. The study looked at 40 women who were perimenopausal (transitioning into menopause) or postmenopausal (after menopause). The women used either a 2% progesterone cream or a non-progesterone cream.
After four months, the women who used the progesterone cream had:
Fewer wrinkles
Less visible eye wrinkles
Less visible "laugh line" wrinkles
Firmer skin
Bone Density
A few studies have found that progesterone may help prevent and treat osteoporosis, however, most of these have only looked at oral progesterone therapy for this benefit. More research is needed to compare the effects of progesterone cream and progesterone pills on bone loss.
One review of studies found that a combination of estrogen-progesterone therapy was more effective at increasing spinal bone density than estrogen therapy alone. Again, however, most research has studied progesterone as an oral medication and not as a cream.
Risks of Using Progesterone Cream
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates and tests medicinal drugs to make sure they are safe and effective. However, the same doesn't apply to progesterone cream and supplements.
The FDA considers progesterone cream a cosmetic product, but that doesn't mean it should be used without consideration. Progesterone cream may have the same effect on your body as progesterone pills, so it's important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Possible Side Effects
Progesterone cream usually has mild side effects. When taken orally, however, progesterone can trigger side effects such as:
Drowsiness
Nausea
Headaches
Breast pain
PMS-like symptoms (cramps or bloating)
Oily skin
Acne
Hirsutism (excessive body hair growth)
Depression
Anxiety
Abnormal blood clotting
These side effects are also possible with progesterone cream.
You may experience skin irritation if you regularly apply progesterone cream to the same area. To prevent this, rub the cream into different areas every time you use it.
The safety of progesterone cream for pregnant or breastfeeding women hasn't been studied. Progesterone cream should never be used on children. If you are using or planning to use progesterone cream, talk to your healthcare provider first.
Contraindications
Progesterone cream may interfere or interact with other medications you are taking. When discussing progesterone cream with your healthcare provider, be sure to inform them about any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, or vitamins that you are taking.
In addition, progesterone cream may not be recommended for people with:
Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
A history of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots
Breast or endometrial cancer
Liver disease
Dosage and What to Look For
Progesterone cream is not the same thing as "natural progesterone creams," which are made from wild yam or soy. True progesterone cream is only available with a prescription from a compounding pharmacy.
Progesterone cream is sold in various strengths, ranging from 20 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) to 250 mg/mL. Healthcare providers may suggest that 20 mg/mL daily is enough to manage hot flashes. A progesterone cream dose of 75 mg/mL may lead to the same progesterone levels as taking a 150 mg or 200 mg oral dose.
Some healthcare providers will suggest applying the cream once a day for six days and skipping every seventh day if you're using it to prevent hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Where Do You Apply Progesterone Cream?
You can apply the cream to your neck, inner thigh, forearm, lower abdomen, or vaginal area. If you are using another hormone on your skin, like testosterone, don't apply the progesterone cream to the same part of the body.
Alternatives to Progesterone Cream
The hormone progesterone is naturally made in your body. While there are no foods that contain progesterone, several nutrients can support your body in making more, including:
Vitamin C: Some research shows that taking vitamin C supplements regularly can significantly boost your progesterone within a few months. You can also get vitamin C through foods, such as oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Zinc: This mineral helps your pituitary gland make more follicle-stimulating hormone, which then stimulates ovulation and tells your ovaries to make more progesterone. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, shrimp, red meat, and cashews.
Magnesium: A 2015 study published in the journal Menopause found that magnesium supplements reduce menopausal hot flashes by helping the body balance estrogen and progesterone levels. Magnesium-rich foods include cacao, kale, black beans, and cashews.
Vitamin E: This powerful antioxidant plays an important role in female reproductive health by supporting the release of follicle hormone followed by progesterone. Almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin, and broccoli are great sources of vitamin E.
Good cholesterol: Your body uses cholesterol to make progesterone, estrogen, and vitamin D. Sources of healthy HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol include coconut oil, turkey and red meat, eggs, and yogurt.
Summary
Progesterone cream is an alternative hormone replacement therapy. It is usually used along with estrogen replacement therapy to help prevent certain cancers. On its own, it may help reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes and prevent bone loss, however, these benefits have not been well studied.
Progesterone cream is not the same thing as natural creams made from wild yam or soy. These products do not contain progesterone and cannot be converted to progesterone in the body. Talk to your healthcare provider before using any of these products to help treat the symptoms of menopause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is progesterone cream used for?
Progesterone cream is a type of hormone replacement therapy used to manage uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
Does progesterone cream boost fertility?
Low levels of the hormone progesterone may indicate infertility or irregular ovulation. Some research shows that using progesterone cream may boost fertility in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.
How is progesterone cream made?
The progesterone used in creams comes from diosgenin, a plant-based estrogen. This hormone is naturally found in wild yam and soy. The diosgenin is chemically converted to progesterone in a lab. That progesterone is then used to make progesterone cream.
What are progesterone boosters?
Some companies try to promote wild yam products as natural progesterone "boosters." Despite these claims, your body can't convert diosgenin found in wild yam into active progesterone. Avoid these products.
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