Progesterone (oral)
Women who have gone through menopause sometimes take progesterone. Progesterone is a female hormone; it is prescribed to postmenopausal women to help them re-establish their hormone balance. These women take the medication orally every day for the rest of their lives. Patients should take the medication at around the same time every day for maximum benefit.
Side Effects/Warnings
This medication increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Women should not smoke while on the medication in order to minimize this risk. Women who take hormones orally are also at greater risk of breast cancer and of age-related dementia.