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Are Depression And Insomnia Side Effects Of Progesterone Intake?

Posted on Mon, 5 Dec 2016

Question: I started taking progesterone and for the first time in my life. For some reason, I became unable to sleep, depressed, cried excessively, and became suicidal. I also had extreme leg cramping after I took my dosage. These symptoms began after about 2 days of taking progesterone, and became worse with each day. I stopped taking the progesterone after about four days and a trip to the psych ward. I am now fine, but I will not take the progesterone again. I can't find any material online that describes this kind of reaction to progesterone. What do you think might have happened? I'm fine now that I'm off the progesterone. It's very humiliating even talking about this.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Very rarely it can happen.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic Forum. Thanks for writing in to us with your health query. I have gone through your query and understand your concerns completely. In very rare instances it can happen that progesterone can cause severe mood swings and psychological stress. I have seen one similar case to yours sometime back and now the patient is doing fine off progesterone. There is very little explanation given for such a reaction in literature. The only remedy is to avoid progesterone in future. Regards Dr Manisha Jain

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (8 minutes later)

Thank you so much. I believe I had the same rare reaction as your previous patient. I also have thyroid disease that has just been diagnosed, and I take Levothyroxin for that. I was diagnosed with low testosterone, so I take that too. However, my progesterone levels were fine, so I don't know why my doctor prescribed progesterone. Do you know why she might have prescribed progesterone if my levels were O.K.? Again, I only had low testosterone.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Menstrual history needed

Detailed Answer:
I hope everything turns out fine and your thyroid status has nothing to do with it.
Progesterone is usually advised to take care of irregular periods so please tell me your menstrual history to see the reason for prescription of progesterone

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (7 minutes later)

Prods were very regular my whole life, until the last 1 year. At age 48 and 49, I thought it was normal for periods to become lighter and lighter and then stop completrly, which is what gradually happened over the last year.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need of progesterone

Detailed Answer:
Yes dear nothing to worry now as most likely your periods will go by themselves now.
No need to take progesterone in future.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (3 hours later)

Thank you for your answere. They have been extremely helpful. May the Divine Assistance bless you!

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Welcome Mam.
In case you have any other question please feel free to ask in future

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar