Progesterone
Progesterone is especially important in women with a uterus. It has a protective affect against endometrial cancer. It is also thought to help with depression, libido, and osteoporosis. It increases the breakdown of fat. It protects against fibrocystic breasts.Many doctors do not feel that it is necessary for a woman without a uterus to take progesterone. In my experience it has definitely helped a number of women with sleep disorders. For that reason it should be taken at night. It can be applied as a cream or gel, or swallowed as the capsule, or dissolved under the tongue in a sub lingual preparation. And important distinction occurs between bio identical progesterone and a synthetic progestin, such as Provera.
Provera is a potent progestin that may cause fluid retention and lead to an increased risk of blood clots. Studies have shown that women on estrogen and natural progesterone at much higher levels of HDL or good cholesterol than those on estrogen and Provera.
For these reasons most doctors practicing bio identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), do not like to use Provera. Sadly the US medical community makes no distinction between synthetic progestins like Provera and bio identical progesterone.