Table 3.
Side effects reported in included studies of progesterone according to method of administration
| Side effect | Suppository/pessary
|
Oral micronised
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug | Placebo | Drug | Placebo | ||
| Cycle length changes | 40 | 42 | 5 | 5 | |
| Breast swelling/bloating | 28 | 20 | 5 | 8 | |
| Change in blood loss | 24 | 28 | |||
| Nausea | 19 | 14 | 2 | 1 | |
| Vaginal pruritus | 19 | 13 | |||
| Cramps | 13 | 15 | 4 | 2 | |
| Headache | 12 | 5 | 9 | 0 | |
| Flu-like symptoms | 7 | 3 | |||
| Pregnancy | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Dysmenorrhoea | 5 | 5 | |||
| Depression | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | |
| Dizziness/lightheadedness | 3 | 4 | 24 | 6 | |
| Rectal pain | 3 | 3 | |||
| Anxiety | 2 | 5 | |||
| Acne | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Fatigue/sedation | 2 | 2 | 46 | 23 | |
| Insomnia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| Hot flushes | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Confusion/memory problems | 1 | 3 | 17 | 1 | |
| Body hair growth | 1 | 2 | |||
| Decreased libido | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Night terrors | 1 | 1 | |||
| Increased appetite | 1 | 1 | |||
| Altered taste | 1 | 1 | |||
| Dry skin | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ringing in ears | 1 | 0 | |||
| Totals | 194 | 180 | 126 | 60 | |