YOU SHOULD NOT USE PROGESTERONE THERAPY IF YOU ARE:

-Currently pregnant/breastfeeding or planning pregnancy

-Have a history of any of the following:

-Allergy/hypersensitivity to progesterone products

-Blood clots, acute thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic or other clotting disorders

-Breast/Ovarian/Cervical/Endometrial cancer

-Liver disease

-Missed abortion or ectopic pregnancy

-Abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of your normal menses, which has not been evaluated/treated

-History of a stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain (cerebral apoplexy)

-History of heart attack or active coronary artery disease with chest pain/angina

-Uncontrolled major depression or other psychological disorder

-Dementia or other neurological disorder

Please let your provider know if you are at high risk for any of the above conditions or have any of the following risk factors:  

Family history of breast/genital cancer, family history of blood clots or clotting disorder, depression that is not treated/stable, endometriosis, diabetes, hypertension, smoker, have bone mineral density changes or other bone disease, kidney disease or reduced kidney function, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), migraines, asthma or epilepsy.

If you take warfarin or other oral anticoagulants, your dosage may need to be adjusted while using progesterone.

Discontinue if any of the following develop: yellowing of the skin, visual problems (may cause contact lens intolerance), any signs/symptoms of a blood clot, migraine with unusual severity, significant blood pressure increase, or severe depression. You should discontinue use 4 weeks before major surgery or during any period of prolonged immobilization. Make sure to read the links provided to understand and familiarize yourself with all potential side effects.

Side effects may include sexual side effects (such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm quality, and gynecomastia) and psychological side effects such as depression, anxiety, or brain fog. These side effects have been shown to resolve when the medication is discontinued; however, in very rare cases, they may persist. If you have a history of severe or untreated depression or another mental health condition, we advise consulting with a mental health professional before starting therapy. There have been rare reports of breast cancer in patients taking finasteride/dutasteride, so it is not advised to take this medication if you have a prior history of or are at high risk for breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers. *Prostate/PSA: You must inform all your healthcare providers that you are taking Finasteride/Dutasteride because it can lower your PSA results. Your provider will need to adjust their interpretation of your results and may want to check your PSA more frequently (for patients over 40). Suppose you have a history of prostate cancer or are at high risk. In that case, you will need to discuss Finasteride/Dutasteride with your urologist/oncologist before starting treatment because there is some evidence that these medications may increase the risk for developing a high-grade prostate cancer. Please inform your provider if you have any history of urological problems, BPH, or current symptoms of reduced urine flow, because it is advised that you have your prostate evaluated prior to starting Finasteride/Dutasteride.