Progesterone making me fat

Hello robinebc,

Welcome to the EmpowHER community. I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with body tenderness, weight gain and being on an emotional rollercoaster.

Why did your physician prescribe a bioidentical progesterone?

For your benefit and the benefit of all our readers, bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones women make in their bodies. They’re not found in this form in nature but are made, or synthesized, from a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy. Bioidentical progesterone is simply progesterone. It’s micronized (finely ground) in the laboratory for better absorption in the body.

Compounding pharmacies use some of the same ingredients that are made into FDA-approved products, but their products are not FDA-approved or regulated.

In doing some research, I found BodyLogicMD, which is a physician founded and physicians staffed website. Regarding bioidentical progesterone use, "Reaching optimal hormone levels is a balancing act that may take some time to get right. Your hormones need to be tested a few times and your dosages may be adjusted over time as we look for the ideal treatment plan for you. During this process, any hormone imbalances that may occur can cause side effects. In some cases, they may be similar to the symptoms you were initially experiencing - or they may even be worse.
The adverse effects that may occur depend upon which hormone levels remain unbalanced. While seeking optimal hormone balance with bioidentical hormone therapy, you may experience a variety of such effects, including but not limited to:
Headaches
Irritability
Mood swings
Increased acne
Difficulty sleeping
Breast tenderness
Itching at the application site

Once your hormones have reached an ideal balance, you are likely to see a drastic reduction or absence of these adverse effects."

Regarding weight gain, "Progesterone has been reported to possibly cause weight gain or weight loss. If you think a drug you are taking is causing weight gain, tell your health care provider. Do not stop any medication or change the dose without first talking to your provider"

" Most prescription medications associated with changes in body weight affect the central nervous system. These include antidepressants like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)." everydayhealth.com

robinebc, you really need to speak with your physician about these symptoms and your concern.

Regards,
Maryann