Women's Health

Progesterone

Micronized bioidentical progesterone to balance estrogen support and help with sleep.

Prescription onlyProvider supervisedCare team managed

Begin Your Journey See How It Works

Form Oral capsule, taken at bedtime

Dosing Nightly, or cyclic days each month, as your provider directs

Onset Sleep effects can be noticed within the first week

Monitoring Symptom review at 6 to 8 weeks, then every 6 months

Overview

What Progesterone is

Micronized progesterone is bioidentical to the progesterone your ovaries produced. In a hormone protocol it protects the uterine lining when you take estrogen, and many women find it steadies sleep and mood on its own. It is taken at bedtime because it can cause drowsiness. Your provider decides whether continuous or cyclic dosing fits you.

Who it may be appropriate for

Women taking estradiol who have a uterus
Women in perimenopause with sleep disruption, irregular cycles, or mood shifts
Women who want a bioidentical option reviewed by a provider

Who it is not for

Women with a history of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease
Women with unexplained vaginal bleeding
Anyone with a peanut allergy, for capsule formulations that contain peanut oil

What to expect

Your protocol, over time

1

Week 1

Take it at bedtime. Drowsiness is expected and is why it is dosed at night.
2

Weeks 2 to 8

Sleep and mood often settle. Some spotting can occur while your body adjusts. Follow-up at 6 to 8 weeks.
3

Ongoing

Reviewed with your estradiol protocol every 6 months.

Monitoring

What your care team watches

Every protocol is built on labs and reviewed by a licensed provider. Your care team tracks these markers and flags anything that needs attention before you have to ask.

Reviewed alongside your estradiol panel Symptom and bleeding log Up-to-date cervical and breast screening

Important safety information

Read this before you begin

Carries the same class boxed warnings as combined hormone therapy: cardiovascular events, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and probable dementia in women over 65 on combined therapy.
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, breast tenderness, bloating, and headache.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Report unexplained vaginal bleeding, leg swelling, chest pain, or sudden headache immediately.
Some capsules contain peanut oil. Tell your provider about any peanut allergy.

This is not a complete list of side effects, warnings, or interactions. Your provider will review your full history before prescribing and will provide complete medication information with your prescription. If you experience a medical emergency, call 911.

Questions

Frequently asked

Can I take it without estrogen?

Yes, in some perimenopause protocols. Your provider will decide based on your symptoms.

Why at bedtime?

It commonly causes drowsiness, which many women welcome as a sleep aid.

Is it the same as progestin in birth control?

No. Progestins are synthetic and act differently. Micronized progesterone is structurally identical to your own hormone.

Membership provides access to Fortem's clinical care platform and provider network. All medical decisions are made by licensed providers. Fortem Health does not practice medicine. Results vary by individual. This platform is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Medication availability depends on state licensing and clinical appropriateness.