The Side Effects of Progestogens
Progesterone is a hormone that occurs naturally in your body. In its synthetic form, it can be called progestin or progestogen. Both natural progesterone and synthetic progestogen can have side effects. These can include worsening of depression symptoms and changes in your blood sugar level. It can also make you feel sleepier than normal. In addition, you may show signs of estrogen dominance and be more prone to problems caused by a rise in the Candida bacteria.
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Worsening of Depression
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When progestogen is used without estrogen, as is the case with using Depo-Provera, if you are prone to depression or to experiencing clinical signs of depression, these can become worse. It may be necessary to adjust your dosage so that your depression symptoms are better controlled.
Changes in Your Blood Sugar
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Hormonal regimens can result in lower readings of fasting blood sugar levels. This can be a good thing, especially if you have problems with elevated blood sugar levels or if you have diabetes. However, taking progestogen alone has been shown to cause an increase in blood sugar levels.
If this occurs and you are already diabetic, you may find that you have to adjust your insulin dosage or may even have to start taking insulin if you previously were not. Further, if you are considered pre-diabetic or at risk for diabetes, this may cause your risk factors for contracting diabetes to rise.
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Increased Sleepiness
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Using progestogen can cause you to feel sleepier than you normally do, even if you are getting the same amount of sleep each night. This occurs because it lowers the regulation of estrogen receptors. Your brain needs the response caused by these receptors to manufacture serotonin.
If this occurs, you may need to have the dosage adjusted and take slightly less until your body adjusts to it and the increased sleepiness has disappeared or diminished.
Estrogen Dominance
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When you first start taking progestogen, you may notice symptoms of estrogen dominance, especially during the first two weeks. These symptoms can include headaches, retaining fluid and swelling of your breasts.
This is happening because the estrogen receptors are responding to the progestogen and regaining their sensitization. This can be common especially if you have been progestogen-deficient for a number of years.
Increase in Candida
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The Candida bacterium is found in your intestinal tract. Too much progesterone can cause the white blood cells that inhibit the growth of Candida, which can cause your stomach to bloat and an increase in intestinal gases to occur. You can also contract a yeast infection because of the decreased amount of anti-Candida white blood cells.
The intestinal symptoms of an overabundance of Candida can be treated by eliminating grain products from your diet for approximately two weeks. Yeast infections can be treated with either prescription or over-the-counter treatments.
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