Progesterone and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2010

Progesterone for Progesterone Insufficiency "I'm pregnant and my lab work came back indicating I have a low progesterone level. My doctor prescribed Prometrium and initially I took the medication in the daytime, but then found that it makes me extremely tired. I decided to start taking the medicine at bedtime then started having very bizarre dreams only when I take the medication at bedtime. I informed my doctor, but he dismissed the side effect as not being related. I'm positive the side effect is from the medication. I hope this comment lets other women who experience this side effect know that you are not alone. Just because it's not a listed side effect doesn't mean it can't happen."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• chi...
• March 10, 2010

Progesterone for Amenorrhea "This drug is effective at inducing a period, but it has awful side effects. Basically, you will feel pregnant-tired, dizzy, hungry for junk food, and bloated. My breasts grew half a size within 3 days of taking. Then the rest of me caught up and I gained 5 lbs in the 10-day time frame that I took this drug. But it did do what it was supposed to do, so I can't totally complain."

• ACE...
• November 13, 2008

Progesterone for Uterine Bleeding "My doctor is having me take this medication because I have excessive bleeding. So far, the bleeding has stopped, but I'm on day 10, and the side effects are kicking in. I have breast tenderness, stomach cramps, and it makes me very tired. Overall, so far it has done what it needs to do. I go off of it in 2 days, I'm hoping that my body will regulate."

• 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."

• cur...
• February 2, 2013

For Endometriosis "I've been taking this medication for a year now and was hoping I'd get used to it, but no luck. It did initially help with the wicked menstrual cramps I'd get on day 2 (vomiting from pain), but I can't take enough of it due to the side effects. I can only take it on the weekend, then it ruins my whole weekend. I feel tired, dizzy, can't think clearly, clumsy, and kind of drunk. It also stays in my system a really long time, 24-36 hour half-life, so I'm drunk and dizzy for that long. Bummer because it doesn't make me feel nauseous at all, like the pill does. Still, I may try the birth control pill instead. Can't really function on this and not sure I should be driving, much less working on it."

• Cyb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2020

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I got a hormone test and have low progesterone and high estrogen. I am 48 years young. My new menopause doctor put me on 100 mg of progesterone, but I didn't like the side effects. I was really tired, and my period started up again. I went off it and feel better. I think I am going natural because I don't think there is a medical reason for taking this. I'm afraid to tell my doctor because I was pressured into it. Nine years ago, I took a Depo shot, 15 mins later, I fell on my knees on the sidewalk in NYC in a skirt and couldn't stand up for 20 mins. A group of Dominican men called an ambulance for me. The EMS gave me water, and I went home. I proceeded to bleed for 3 months after. They also had to give me calcium because it caused bone loss. I'm not saying this is the same, but it is progesterone, and unless I have a life-threatening illness that requires hormone replacement, I think I'm going natural."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2012

For Progesterone Insufficiency "I am using this in my FET cycle for IVF. I am 4 weeks, 4 days pregnant. I was taking 2 vaginal inserts (100 mg) each per day, but after blood tests came back showing a very low progesterone level, my Dr. is having me take an additional 600 mg per day in pill form (200 mg, 3x per day). My Dr. warned me that I would be very tired and possibly dizzy. I have been on the pills for 3 days now and have noticed that my breasts are very tender and swollen, which they weren't before, and it does make me a little drowsy, but not bad, it's manageable. I go back on Tuesday to check my levels."

• 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."

• Kan...
• March 18, 2020

For Gender Dysphoria "My gender clinic doctor recommended that I take a progesterone-only based birth control pill to stop my period before and while I start testosterone. I’ve been on it for about a week, and I’ve had spontaneous bleeding even though I started the pill at the very end of my cycle. I’m also getting really tired during the day and having a hard time staying asleep at night."

• 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."

• joj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

Progesterone "Two months into taking this med, I have found it's making me feel ill. Dizziness, shortness of breath, lethargy. I've had test after test. Then realized this all happened after starting this med."