Progesterone
Progesterone (or its synthetic form, progestin) is a crucial hormone in combination HRT for anyone with a uterus. While estrogen treats many menopause symptoms, progesterone is added specifically to protect the uterine lining (endometrium) from the overgrowth that unopposed estrogen can cause, which reduces the risk of uterine cancer.
What people track
- Individuals on combination HRT track not only the effect on hot flashes but also progesterone-specific effects. This includes changes in sleep quality (progesterone can have a calming or sedative effect), mood, and side effects like bloating or breast tenderness. Tracking helps to find the right balance between estrogen and progesterone.
Tracking tips
- Many people have a progesterone schedule for the evening; log your usage and note any impact on your sleep quality.
- Use the mood tracking feature to see if you notice any changes in anxiety or irritability.
- Note any physical symptoms like bloating or breast tenderness to discuss with your clinician.
Clinician discussion prompts
- My sleep log shows some changes since starting progesterone; is this a typical response?
- Can we review my mood data to see if the addition of progesterone has had a positive impact?
- I've been tracking some bloating; are there different forms or schedules of progesterone we could consider?