Progesterone and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2020

Progesterone for Uterine Bleeding "I am on 200 mg Prometrium due to uterus bleeding and enlarged uterus wall. Other than the bleeding, I had no post-menopause issues (I am 57 with high estrogen levels). After 2 days of taking the medication, bleeding stopped - great! After a few more days, I started gaining weight, breast tenderness, breast enlarging, very strange dreams every night, very tired during the day although I sleep at least 8 hours now, and bad headaches. Too many side effects for me. I went to my naturopathic doctor to do detailed hormone tests. Result = extremely high progesterone level. Make sure you get your hormones tested before taking the medication!"

• 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."

• Len...
• July 16, 2019

For Progesterone Insufficiency "On June 30, 2019, the pharmacy filled my prescription with a new generic drug from the manufacturer Akorn for micronized progesterone 100 mg capsules. I take 300 mg each night. The generic for Prometrium from the Akorn manufacturer-generic micronized progesterone, I started itching, now I am itching head to toe. Also, I started having headaches and dizziness. I started having strange vivid dreams, not sleeping well, and increased hot flashes. I have been taking Prometrium for many years, including other generics, without any problems. I decided to stop taking the Akorn manufacturer generic micronized progesterone 100 mg capsules and request a new prescription of Prometrium. The FDA wrote two warning letters to Akorn in 02/2018 and 06/2019 at the same plants where the medication was made. It may be contaminated with unknown foreign substances. My co-pay after insurance for a 90-day supply was $241.24 for a quantity of 270 capsules, 100 mg each. Very expensive for a generic that harmed me!"

• Lau...
• June 27, 2019

For Progesterone Insufficiency "I started generic Prometrium for 10 days (for premature menopause) then stopped because I broke out with itchy red bumps on my arms and legs. And, I still got hot flashes. When I stopped taking the progesterone (200 mg at night) I started getting foggy brain again and terrible face aches and headaches. I restarted the generic Prometrium after a 5-day hiatus and after the red itchy bumps dried up. Now that I take the 200 mg again, no more head or face aches, and mild hot flashes finally disappeared. However, I continue to have vivid exhausting dreams every night that I take this. My sleep is not deep or restful. It is night after night of lucid, unwanted crazy dreams. This is an unreported side effect - I read other women experienced this, too. Also, I get tiny somewhat itchy bumps under the skin on both of my hands. I wonder if the brand name Prometrium would have these bad effects on me as well..."

• swh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2012

Progesterone for Progesterone Insufficiency "I am 49 and have been on this medication for one cycle. The side effects have not been as bad as I had anticipated. I had a few mild headaches, a bit of bloating, tender breasts, and a mild acne breakout, and was a bit tired a few days. I am taking it for a proliferative endometrium, and after 4 days being off the medicine, I am getting a period, so it seems to be working as planned. I am taking 200 mg."

• 617...
• September 24, 2017

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I take progesterone 100 mg once a day and estradiol 1 mg once a day. I have bad headaches and start bleeding again when my period stopped almost 2 years ago. My hot flashes slowed down but are still there. Am I supposed to do these things? I need to know more from someone who takes those meds."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2016

For Uterine Bleeding "I am 44 years old and taking AK2 generic for Prometrium for unusual uterine bleeding. The doctor put me on this to stop my irregular bleeding, but so far, after 4 days of taking it, I am still bleeding with some clots. I am supposed to take this for 12 days. He said my progesterone levels were really low, and the endometrium had built up too much in my uterus. The first time I took it, I got really dizzy and sleepy, so now I am taking it at night. I have had a bad headache on two different occasions and a fast heartbeat and definitely feel brain fog and can't think. This medicine is no fun. I had a normal cycle up until a month and a half ago, but a few months before that, I noticed a reduced cycle, so I am having low hormonal levels, I guess."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

Progesterone for Premature Labor "Mild side effects such as fatigue and hunger, horrible headaches if not taken at all. Seems to work, however, for the price paid for the medication, seems like they could include an applicator like the ones they give with gels and OTC yeast meds, etc. It's not fun or very easy trying to shove pills in your VAGAY with your fingers every single time you must use this medication."

• Min...
• June 13, 2020

For Amenorrhea "I’ve been taking this progesterone pill for nine days orally. The first few days were fine, just had a bit of nausea. Then around my 5th night, when I took it at night, about an hour and a half later, I had dizziness and felt like I was in another world. It feels like laughing gas. I also am noticing bloating and, on the next day, headaches. It also makes me have mood swings once the dizziness has left my body. It makes me very tired, and I sleep great. I’ve had these symptoms since then. No sign of bleeding since then and I am not sure if it will work for me. But it says if you have these symptoms, you will get results, so I’m hopeful."