Why Do Progesterone Supplements Delay My Period?

Progesterone supplements are used for several reasons, and in some cases, they can delay your period.

The most common reasons progesterone supplements are taken are:

• For hormone replacement
• To treat endometriosis
• To treat various types of cancer
• To induce menstruation
• To help support an early pregnancy for women prone to miscarriages

Delays in your cycle can occur for several reasons, however, and may not be the result of progesterone supplements. 

Some of the most common reasons are:

• Stress
• Illness
• Being underweight or overweight
• A simple miscalculation of the day
• Menopause
• Pregnancy

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How Does a Progesterone Supplement Contribute to the Delay in My Period?

During the menstruation process, progesterone is naturally released in your body.

Progesterone thickens the uterine lining of the uterus and secretes a fluid that helps nourish a fertilized egg and also promotes implantation of the egg(s).

However, with an increase in the progesterone hormone, the lining of the uterus can become increasingly thick. This will delay the full breakdown of the lining which causes menstruation.

What Do Progesterone Supplements Do?

Progesterone supplements have several forms that may be taken a variety of ways, as this brief video details:

Oral progesterone supplements are capsules in most cases, but some are called troches, which are dissolved underneath the tongue.

These pills are taken in the evening for a specific period of time, as instructed by a physician. Side effects of oral pills include breast pain, back pain, headaches, abdominal cramping, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness, and night sweats.

Injections are traditionally given in the gluteus maximus area and are usually a progesterone oil supplement. A needle injected into the buttocks contains the oil. Some of the side effects of the injection include drowsiness, acne, pain, nausea, and redness and/or swelling at the site of the injection.

Suppositories are gel supplements inserted into the vagina with a plastic applicator. Some side effects of the gel include constipation or diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, fatigue, cramps, difficulty in sexual intercourse, increased appetite, and fluid retention.

Another type of progesterone suppository, which is placed directly into the vagina with an applicator, produces the side effects of bloating, cramping, stomach pain and nausea, vaginal burning and/or irritation, headaches, and breast tenderness.

As stated above, progesterone is naturally produced by the female body. However, some women’s ovaries do not produce enough progesterone.  This limited production of progesterone can cause side effects when it comes to both conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy.

For women who do not produce enough progesterone naturally, supplements are normally prescribed. 

For women having a hard time conceiving, progesterone supplements will be given after ovulation to help thicken the lining of the uterus and also to increase the nutrients in the lining to help support an egg.

For women who have a history of miscarriages, progesterone supplements can be prescribed during the early portion of pregnancy for several weeks in order to help an egg develop.

Vaginally injected progesterone has been shown to decrease uterine contractions which can increase pregnancy rates for those women prone to miscarriages.

Are There More Serious Side Effects of Progesterone Supplements?

While progesterone supplements can be beneficial for those women in need of them, there are also some serious side effects that can occur. These side effects include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Stomach discomfort or pain
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Unusual swelling of the body
• Vaginal itching
• Vision changes
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Speech disturbances
• Jaundice

It is recommended that if any of the above-mentioned side effects occur, medical attention should be sought out immediately. Progesterone supplements are regulated by the FDA.

Before incorporating any new supplement or drug into your body you should contact your physician or nutritionist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

Are supplements safe?

Whether or not supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

Use the workout plan finder to find exercises that can be used to help relieve side effects of menstruation now, and consider signing up for our PRO Plan to stay focused and healthy and to help you meet your personal needs.