If you are thinking of talking to your doctor about taking progesterone to help with your menopausal symptoms, you might be interested to know more about progesterone cream. As an alternative to taking pills, progesterone cream is a convenient way to balance your progesterone hormone levels.

A word of caution: American readers can easily buy progesterone creams over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. In Canada, progesterone cream is available by prescription only. Readers in the U.K. and Australia should also be aware that you may be able to send away for progesterone creams online, but make sure you understand any risks; Australians may import progesterone cream for their own use but are strictly forbidden from distributing it to anyone by selling the cream or even just giving it away.

Regardless of where you live and how readily available progesterone cream is, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional before deciding to use this product. Your doctor will determine if progesterone cream is the right option for you or if you might benefit from other forms of hormonal therapy.

Progesterone cream basics

Progesterone cream is applied to the body and is then absorbed through the skin layers. When taking progesterone orally, the medication travels through the body and is processed through the liver. Progesterone cream does not need to work its way through the body in the same manner and bypasses the liver.
Progesterone cream provides the same benefits as its oral counterpart.

Progesterone helps to deal with many menopausal symptoms including night sweats and hot flashes, anxiety and panic attacks, mood swings, insomnia, and low libido. Progesterone can also help improve thyroid function and elevate moods. Additionally, progesterone balances hormonal levels in the body and works by preventing estrogen levels from becoming too dominant. Even though estrogen decreases, without sufficient progesterone levels, the estrogen present can lead to greater risks of developing breast and uterine cancers.

Progesterone creams are relatively safe but be on the lookout for any possible side effects. If you notice any unusual skin rashes or irritations or develop unusually itchy skin conditions you should talk to your doctor. Other side effects may include swollen and tender breasts, erratic mood swings, stomach cramps or bouts of nausea. You could also develop unusual drowsiness or dizziness or experience unusual bleeding.

Applying progesterone cream is best done on clean, dry skin that is free from any other oils, creams, lotions or cosmetics which can all interfere with the skin’s absorption abilities. Generally, progesterone cream is applied in thin layers throughout the day rather than just trying to spread one think layer all at once. The skin can absorb only so much product at any given time and when too much cream sits on the skin’s surface for too long the product will simply evaporate; think of water than cannot be absorbed into saturated ground.

Progesterone cream is also applied to areas of the body where the skin is thinner, such as the breasts and inner thighs or possibly the neck. All parts of the skin will absorb product but the cream will be more easily absorbed in the noted areas.

Progesterone cream is just one of many options available for you to explore when researching and selecting menopause treatments. You and your doctor can find the solution that works best for you and helps you thrive during menopause; not just survive.

Menopause, Your Doctor, and You