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HORMONES -
SIDE EFFECTS OF PROVERAtm

The question of side effects is not to be taken lightly. In his book "Natural Progesterone", Dr. John R. Lee presents just an abbreviated list of the side effects of Proveratm (medroxyprogesterone), the most common progestin used in menopausal treatment. He lists five specific Warnings:

  • Increased risk of birth defects such as heart and limb defects if taken during the first four months of pregnancy.

  • Beagle dogs given this drug developed malignant mammary nodules.

  • Discontinue this drug if there is sudden or partial loss of vision.

  • This drug passes into breast milk, consequences unknown.

  • May contribute to thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein in conjunction with blood clots), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), and cerebral thrombosis (stroke).

Dr. John Lee also list eight Contraindications (existing conditions you may have that preclude use of the drug):

  • Thrombophlebitis, inflammation of a vein in conjunction with a blood clot.

  • Thromboembolic disorders, disorders caused by traveling blood clots.

  • Cerebral apoplexy, (strokes).

  • Liver dysfunction or disease

  • Known or suspected malignancy of breast or genital organs

  • Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

  • Missed abortion

  • Known sensitivity, allergy to the drug

He lists ten possible Adverse Reactions

  • May cause breast tenderness and galactorrhea, excessive secretion of milk from the breast after nursing has ceased.

  • May cause sensitivity reactions such as urticaria (skin eruptions), pruritus (itching skin), edema (swelling) or rash.

  • May cause acne, alopecia (loss of hair of the scalp) and hirsutism (excessive hair growth in unusual places, especially in women).

  • Edema (water retention), weight changes (increase or decrease).

  • Cervicalerosions and changes in cervical secretions.

  • Cholestatic (Liver) jaundice

  • Mental depression, pyrexia (fever), nausea, insomnia, or somnolence.

  • Anaphylaxis (severe acute allergic reactions).

  • Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein associated with blood clots) and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).

  • Breakthrough bleeding, spotting, amenorrhea (absence of menses), or changes in menses.

When Proveratm is taken with estrogens there are five other Consequences that have been observed.

  • Rise in blood pressure, headache, dizziness, nervousness, fatigue.

  • Changes in T3 uptake values (thyroid).

  • Pre-menstrual-like syndrome, changes in appetite.

  • Cystitis-like syndrome (urinary tract infections).

  • Erythema multiforme (red rashes on the skin), erythema nodosum ( red painful nodules on the legs), hemorrhagic eruption, itching.

In contrast, Natural Progesterone has -I repeat- no known side effects.

The above information was taken from Raquel Martin's book,
The Estrogen Alternative.