Elsevier

Fertility and Sterility

Volume 72, Issue 3, September 1999, Pages 389-397
Fertility and Sterility

Modern Trends
Micronized progesterone: clinical indications and comparison with current treatments

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(99)00272-1Get rights and content
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Abstract

Objective: To integrate and evaluate the pharmacokinetic, endocrine, and clinical effects of micronized progesterone formulations.

Design: Published articles concerning the pharmacokinetics of orally administered progesterone and the potential clinical uses of oral micronized progesterone were reviewed. Results concerning their use for secondary amenorrhea, premenopausal bleeding disorders, luteal phase dysfunction, termination of premature labor, hormone replacement therapy, and premenopausal syndrome are summarized. Critical issues to be resolved through ongoing preclinical and clinical research are highlighted.

Result(s): Because of the enhanced bioavailability of oral micronized progesterone, the compound may be useful for a variety of therapeutic indications. Oral micronized progesterone is available in France, and a formulation recently has been approved in the United States for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. A large body of evidence, including the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions study, suggests that the use of a combination of estrogen and oral micronized progesterone is optimal for long-term hormone replacement therapy. There also are data indicating that oral micronized progesterone could be of potential use for the treatment of premenopausal bleeding disorders, luteal phase disorders, and premature labor.

Conclusion(s): Oral micronized progesterone has widespread clinical potential, particularly for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea and dysfunctional premenopausal bleeding, and as a component of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Keywords

Micronized progesterone
secondary amenorrhea
premenopausal dysfunction
luteal phase dysfunction
premature labor
hormone replacement therapy

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Supported in part by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marietta, Georgia.