Progesterone
60-day supply.
If estrogen is the "gas pedal" that keeps you active and vibrant, progesterone is the "brake and repair system." It promotes deep sleep, calms anxiety, protects the uterine lining, and balances estrogen's stimulating effects. Essential for any woman on estradiol therapy.
Interested in Progesterone?
Our medical team will evaluate if this medication is right for you during your consultation.
Dosage & Administration
Typically prescribed in capsule form, 25mg to 200mg, usually taken at night due to its calming/sedative effects. Exact dosing is highly individualized based on your labs, symptoms, and whether you still have a uterus (uterine protection requires adequate progesterone dosing).
Important: Like any prescribed medication, dosing varies from person to person. Always follow the dosage prescribed by your healthcare provider. Optimize 360 personalizes every protocol based on your labs, symptoms, and goals.
Side Effects
- Drowsiness and Dizziness: The most distinct side effect — often described as a "warm, sleepy feeling." This is why it's taken at bedtime.
- Headaches: Mild, particularly during dosage changes.
- Bloating: Some women experience mild water retention.
- Mood Changes: Adjusting progesterone is extremely personalized. Some women need higher doses for mood stability, others need lower.
Why Choose Optimize 360 for Progesterone
- Prescribed and monitored by Dr. Steve Farmer — 30+ years in hormone medicine
- Comprehensive lab work before prescribing — we never guess
- Sourced from licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies
- Transparent pricing — the price above is what you pay, no hidden fees
- Telehealth available nationwide — medications shipped to your door
- Unlimited messaging with your provider throughout treatment
Get Started Today
No memberships. No referral needed. Schedule your consultation and we'll take it from there.
Related
How Progesterone Works
Progesterone is a steroid hormone naturally produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and (during pregnancy) the placenta. In hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical micronized progesterone provides the same molecular structure as endogenous progesterone. Its primary role in HRT is to protect the uterine lining (endometrium) from overgrowth caused by estrogen, but it also has significant effects on sleep quality, mood stabilization, and anxiety reduction through its metabolite allopregnanolone, which acts on GABA receptors in the brain.
Benefits & Clinical Evidence
Beyond endometrial protection, progesterone offers notable quality-of-life benefits. Many women report markedly improved sleep within the first week of starting progesterone, due to its natural sedative effect via GABA receptor activity. It may also reduce anxiety, support mood stability, and contribute to bone density maintenance. The REPLENISH trial and other studies support the safety profile of micronized progesterone, showing it carries a lower risk of breast cancer and blood clots compared to synthetic progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera).
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Any woman on estradiol replacement who has an intact uterus needs progesterone for endometrial protection. Women experiencing sleep disruption, anxiety, or mood instability — even without estrogen therapy — may also benefit from progesterone's calming effects. Women who have had a hysterectomy may still be candidates if they are seeking progesterone's sleep and mood benefits, though it is not required for endometrial protection in this case.
What to Expect: Treatment Timeline
Sleep improvements are often the first benefit noticed, frequently within the first 3-5 nights. Mood stabilization typically follows within 1-2 weeks. Endometrial protection is ongoing with consistent use. Progesterone is usually taken orally at bedtime to leverage its sedative effect. Lab work is periodically reviewed to ensure hormone levels remain balanced. Available at Optimize 360 from $71.31/month.
Side Effects & Safety
Common side effects include drowsiness (which is why it is taken at bedtime), bloating, breast tenderness, and occasional mood changes during the adjustment period. These effects typically improve within the first month. Micronized progesterone has a significantly better safety profile than synthetic progestins — the distinction between bioidentical progesterone and synthetic progestins is clinically important and well-supported by evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Micronized bioidentical progesterone has the same molecular structure as the progesterone your body produces. Synthetic progestins (like Provera/medroxyprogesterone) have different structures and have been associated with higher risks of blood clots and breast cancer in studies like the WHI.
A: You can. While progesterone isn't required for endometrial protection after hysterectomy, many women still benefit from its sleep-promoting and mood-stabilizing effects. Discuss with your provider whether it makes sense for your protocol.
A: Oral micronized progesterone is typically taken at bedtime due to its sedative effect. This timing actually turns a "side effect" into a benefit — it helps improve sleep quality. Take it with food for better absorption.
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