From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
A typical starting dose for topical progesterone is 20-40 mg applied once or twice daily to the skin, as indicated by the most recent and highest quality study available 1. The cream is usually dispensed in concentrations of 1-2%, meaning each gram contains 10-20 mg of progesterone. When applying, use approximately a quarter-sized amount (about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon or 1-2 grams of cream) on areas with thin skin such as the inner wrists, inner arms, neck, or inner thighs, rotating application sites to prevent skin irritation. For vaginal application, typical doses range from 25-100 mg daily. Topical progesterone is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, where it can help address symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as those experienced during perimenopause or menopause. The dose may need adjustment based on symptom response and hormone testing. Start with the lower dose and increase gradually if needed under medical supervision, as individual responses vary. Some key points to consider when using topical progesterone include:
- The effectiveness of topical progesterone creams and gels in protecting the endometrium from unopposed estrogen is controversial, due to the very low serum progesterone levels achieved 2.
- Salivary and capillary blood levels of progesterone are very high when using topical preparations, and a protective effect on the endometrium has been reported in a limited number of studies 2.
- Topical alcohol-based gels may yield luteal-phase serum progesterone levels, but studies with these preparations are limited 2.
- Long-term studies with percutaneous progesterone creams and gels are needed to provide valuable information for the treatment of postmenopausal women with this popular route of administration 2. Side effects are generally minimal but may include breast tenderness, drowsiness, or local skin irritation, as reported in several studies 3, 4, 5, 1.