Who generally needs progesterone when using estrogen therapy for menopause?

When using estrogen therapy for menopause, progesterone is generally needed for women who still have a uterus. This is because estrogen alone can cause the uterine lining to thicken, which increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone is prescribed to keep the uterine lining thin and healthy, acting as a protective "lawnmower" to estrogen's "fertilizer."

If you do not have a uterus (for example, after a hysterectomy), you typically do not need progesterone with your estrogen therapy, though there may be specific situations where your doctor recommends it.

At Alloy, our menopause-trained doctors will review your health history and help you decide if progesterone is right for you. You can learn more about our progesterone product and how it works to protect your uterus on our Progesterone product page.

For a deeper dive into the benefits of progesterone beyond just endometrial protection, check out the relevant chapter in our YouTube video: Benefits of Progesterone Beyond Endometrial Protection.

If you want to get started or find out what’s best for your situation, you can take our online assessment and connect with a menopause-trained doctor here at Alloy.

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This answer was created using the following resources:

• Progesterone
• A New Approach to Aging with Alloy - Benefits of Progesterone Beyond Endometrial Protection
• Catching Up with Dr. Sharon Malone | Alloy
• Do You Need Menopause Hormone Therapy?
• Catching Up with Dr. Mary Jane Minkin | Alloy