Women's Perspective on Progesterone: A Qualitative Study Conducted in Australia

This study explored the perspective of women using compounded progesterone preparations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Victoria, Australia with eight self-selected women who were dispensed a progesterone-only preparation. Participating women gained symptome relief for migraine, painful breasts, mood swings, bloating, hot flushes, and other conditions. The participants also experienced unexpected benefits such as improvement in irregular and painful periods, relief from cystitis, or increased libido, without any reported negative side effects. The participants appreciated the ability to adjust the dose and dosage form to their individual requirements and held a positive perception of progesterone as a "natural" product. Accessibility of progesterone treatment is limited due to the limited number of doctors that have knowledge about the treatment, little information available for lay people, and cost. Participants who had been treated with progesterone were willing to share their experience with others, and many heard about progesterone therapy from their social contacts. The cost of progesterone therapy, which was often more expensive than traditional hormone replacement therapy, was outweighed by the benefits received. These women found that progesterone treatment, although hard to access, was beneficial over conventional therapy.