Prometrium - Menopause Message Board

jasmarie · 03-11-2009, 07:07 AM

Just got Rx for Prometrium. I did not know there was a pill (since 1998) on the market that is supposed to be "natural" progesterone. My question: If large drug companies aren't interested in "natural" products because if they cannot be altered synthetically, they make no money on them. How can Prometrium be "natural" if it is marketed by a large pharmaceutical company and they are selling this for $58 a month at Walmart to $75 a month at Walgreens. The ingredients claim to be made from wild yam which is natural so how can they claim it is natural and make a large profit on the sale of this product? I am debating whether to fill my new prescription or try to find another doctor who will give me a RX for compounded cream at compounding pharmacy. Would appreciate any comments.

kittywitty · 03-11-2009, 03:04 PM

If I were you, I would research that medication thoroughly before I put it in my body. A new doctor referred to me by my gyno recently wrote me a script for it. After doing extensive research on it, I said, 'No way in hell I'm taking this crap!' Judging by the list of side effects for this medication, both common and rare were a mile long, I seriously doubt if it's 'natural' at all. True, not everyone will experience side effects. However, I am someone who is a guinea pig and very sensitive to side effects. I told this quack doctor this and also that I have a history of depression (even suicide attempts), and she just blew me off and gave me the script anyway. To top it off, many of the common side effects of it (depression, mood swings, anxiety, etc.) are things that I'm already experiencing due to peri. So, I'm confused

, how exactly was it supposed to help me? Right now I'm using a bioidentical progesterone cream called Oasis Serene that I buy off the net until I can find a different doctor. So far, so good. I'm low in progesterone and testosterone. Good luck.

Chantal231 · 03-11-2009, 10:05 PM

Prometrium is bioidentical to the progesterone that or bodies make.

That is why it is allowed to be labeled progesterone. Whereas synthetic products like provera, norethridone,etc are labeled progestins.

Chantal

herekittykitty · 03-12-2009, 06:36 AM

I think the difference here is in the delivery of the progesterone. With Prometrium, you are taking a pill by mouth. Therefore, it has to pass through your liver and that is where the problem comes in. That is why you can get the more severe side effects like blood clots and such.

The progesterone cream is delivered through the skin and doesn't pass through your liver, bypassing the filtering systems in your body and therefore not subjecting you to the more severe side effects. That is the shortened version of what my doctor told me.

jasmarie · 03-12-2009, 11:54 AM

I guess my question is this: If Promethium is supposed to be natural, how can a big drug company produce this product, the FDA approves it, and the company sells it for a huge profit (ranging from $59.00 to $75.00/month @ 3 different pharmacies that I called) - when supposedly a "natural" product cannot be sold for a profit since it is natural. It has to be "tweaked" somewhere along the line, even though I did look up the ingredients and it does say it comes from wild yam, they have to be changing something to make it patentable to sell it for a profit. It does have Red #40 and Yellow #10 coloring which is absurd - for what to make the pill appear pink?? I did read all the side effects as well. Why would a natural product have so many side effects? I do not undestand why my doctor gave this to me when she knew my feelings on everything being natural, unless she just does not "get it". When I tried to explain Dr. Lee's theories to her she basically said it was wrong for me to base everything on one person's theories!! Dr. Lee studied women's health issues for over 20 years. Thanks for everyone's input and for anyone who reads this please add your input as well.