Dydrogesterone - Uses, Side Effects, Storage and Drug Interactions

What Is Dydrogesterone?

Dydrogesterone or synthetic progesterone works similar to the female hormone progesterone. It is used to manage menstrual disorders caused by the deficiency of hormones in females. In addition to managing menstrual problems, the drug also helps to prevent miscarriages and abortions. It is used to relieve pain and cramps that arise due to menstruation. Dydrogesterone can also be used to manage endometriosis. It is a condition in which the female shows symptoms like menstrual irregularities and abdominal pain. Dydrogesterone can also be used to treat secondary amenorrhea, a condition in which menstruation has stopped due to menopause or the absence of pregnancy.

How Does Dydrogesterone Work Against Menstrual Problems?

Dydrogesterone can be used in combination with estrogens for hormone replacement therapy in menopausal females, and low sex hormones in females. Dydrogesterone consists of the female hormone progesterone, which directly controls women’s ovulation and menstruation. It causes secretive changes in the endometrial lining of the uterus, promotes the growth and development of breasts, inhibits the maturation and release of follicles, relaxes the uterus, and helps retain pregnancy. The main advantage of the drug is that it directly acts on the progesterone receptors in the uterus to produce the necessary effects.

What Are the Medicinal Benefits of Dydrogesterone?

Dydrogesterone 10 mg is a female hormone that maintains the ovarian and menstrual cycle in females. The medicinal benefits of Dydrogesterone are listed below:

• Management of Female Infertility - It helps in female infertility by preparing the lining of the uterus for pregnancy. It regulates the menstrual cycle and prevents repeated miscarriages. Therefore, this drug can increase the chances of pregnancy in females who have had a history of multiple abortions.

• Management of Menstrual Pain - Dydrogesterone relieves menstrual pain and cramps, which cause a lot of discomfort during the menstrual period. Females with a painful menstruation period experience many problems in their lives. Hence, they must try to take a rest, drink a sufficient quantity of water daily, and manage stress.

• Management of Premenstrual Syndrome -This syndrome is characterized by a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur before periods. Dydrogesterone helps reduce the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, including bloating, swelling, mood swings, and tiredness. It also helps relieve pre-menstrual syndrome pain, headaches, and cramps.

• Management of Endometriosis - Endometriosis is a condition wherein the endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus or womb. The main symptoms of endometriosis include pain in the lower back and stomach, pain during sexual intercourse, constipation, diarrhea, and difficulty in conception. Dydrogesterone prevents the growth of the endometrial tissues and relieves the symptoms.

What Are the Uses of Dydrogesterone?

Dydrogesterone must be prescribed for the following purposes:

1. Dysmenorrhea.

2. Endometriosis.

3. Secondary amenorrhea.

4. Menstrual abnormalities.

5. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

6. Risk of abortion.

7. Premenstrual syndrome.

8. Recurrent abortions.

9. Infertility due to the deficiency of corpus luteum.

10. Hormone replacement therapy.

What Warnings and Precautions Must Be Followed Before Taking Dydrogesterone?

The patient must keep the following things in mind before taking Dydrogesterone:

• This drug is not recommended for patients with allergies to Dydrogesterone, its ingredients, or other medications.

• This drug is not recommended for females suffering from undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.

• Pregnant females must not use this drug. They must consult their doctor to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of the drug.

• Lactating mothers or the ones planning to breastfeed the baby must refrain from using this drug as it might pass from the milk to the baby and harm it.

• Patients taking this drug might experience drowsiness or dizziness, so it is advised that the patient does not perform any activities, including driving a vehicle or other things.

• Children below 18 years of age must not use this medication.

• Patients suffering from liver diseases must be carefully monitored because this drug might produce side effects and worsen the patient’s condition.

• Patients suffering from liver diseases must consult the doctor before taking this drug.

How Should Dydrogesterone Be Used?

Dydrogesterone is available in several forms meaning the drug can be taken by mouth, vagina, or injected into the muscles through other routes. It is also available as a vaginal ring and intrauterine device, which can be used for birth control or contraception. The patient can take Dydrogesterone 10 mg without food in the evening or at night. The tablet is taken by mouth, so it must be swallowed with a full glass of water. If the patient has been prescribed more than one tablet, a proper time interval must be maintained between the two doses. The patient must make sure that he takes the drug at the same time during the day. If the patient forgets or misses a dose of Dydrogesterone, he must take it immediately. If more than 12 hours have passed since the last dose, the patient must skip the missed dose and resume the drug as per the new dosing schedule. The patient must remember that the missed dose must be avoided as they increase the risk of irregular bleeding. Overdosage of the medicine must be completely avoided as it might produce symptoms including abnormal bleeding, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How Should Dydrogesterone Be Stored?

Dydrogesterone should be stored at room temperatures between 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct contact with heat, light, and air must be avoided as it might damage the properties of the drug. In addition, the medicine must be kept away from children as the exposure might produce serious side effects.

What Are Some of the Side Effects of Dydrogesterone?

Some of the most common side effects of Dydrogesterone are listed below:

• Nausea.

• Abdominal pain.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Rash.

• Itching.

• Hives.

• Cough.

• Depression.

• Headache.

• Mood swings.

• Dizziness.

• Drowsiness.

• Breast pain.

• Vaginal bleeding.

• Stomach pain.

• Menstrual disorders.

What Drugs Must Be Avoided With Dydrogesterone?

Dydrogesterone can interact with the patient's vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Drug interaction is when the substance changes and how the drug works, which can be harmful or prevent the drug from working properly. The drugs that can interact with Dydrogesterone are listed below:

1. Phenobarbital.

2. Phenytoin.

3. Carbamazepine.

4. Rifampicin.

5. Rifabutin.

6. Herbal medications like sage or Ginkgo Biloba.

7. Ritonavir.

8. Nelfinavir.

9. Nevirapine.

10. Efavirenz.

11. Metronidazole.

12. Clindamycin.

13. Acetazolamide.

In Which Diseases Should Dydrogesterone Be Avoided?

Dydrogesterone must not be given under the following conditions:

• Breast cancer.

• Liver diseases.

• Thromboembolism.

• Depression.

• Fluid retention or edema.

• Glucose intolerance.

• Retinal thrombosis.

• Thyroid diseases.

• High cholesterol levels.

• Bleeding from the uterus.

• Cyst of the ovaries.

• Weight gain or obesity.

Conclusion:

Dydrogesterone is a drug that helps females overcome the problems related to menstruation, infertility, and pregnancy. This drug is a boon for females who underwent recurrent abortions and have irregular menstrual cycles or other disorders. Dydrogesterone is easy to use and can be taken orally or implanted in the body in the form of birth control devices or vaginal rings. The patient must inform the doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Pregnant females or those planning to breastfeed the baby must take the medications only after the doctor's consent.