Would you prescribe progesterone to a female patient of reproductive age to induce a heavy period?

No, Do Not Use Progesterone to Induce Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Progesterone is not indicated for inducing heavy periods and would be counterproductive to this goal. Progesterone and progestogens are actually used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, not to induce it 1, 2.

Why This Is Not Appropriate

Progesterone's Actual Effect on Menstruation

• Progesterone reduces menstrual blood loss, not increases it—this is the opposite of what you're asking about 1, 2
• When used cyclically (luteal phase days 15-26), oral progestogens are commonly prescribed to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, though evidence shows they are less effective than other options like tranexamic acid or the levonorgestrel IUS 2
• Longer courses of progestogen (days 5-26) are also used to decrease heavy menstrual bleeding, not induce it 2

Established Clinical Uses of Progesterone

Progesterone has specific evidence-based indications that do not include inducing heavy bleeding 3:

• Endometrial protection in hormone replacement therapy (200 mg daily for 12-14 days/month) 4, 3
• Prevention of preterm birth in women with short cervix (vaginal progesterone 200 mg daily) 4, 3
• Prevention of recurrent preterm birth (17-OHPC 250 mg IM weekly) 3
• Secondary amenorrhea diagnosis and treatment (medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg for 10 days) 3
• Fertility-sparing therapy for select endometrial cancers 3

Important Clinical Caveat

If the goal is to induce withdrawal bleeding (not heavy bleeding) in a patient with amenorrhea, progesterone challenge testing is appropriate—medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg daily for 10 days can induce withdrawal bleeding within 2-7 days in women with adequate estrogen 3. However, this is fundamentally different from inducing "heavy" menstrual bleeding and serves a diagnostic purpose.

What Actually Causes Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

If you're looking to understand what increases menstrual blood loss, progesterone deficiency (not supplementation) can contribute to dysfunctional bleeding 1. The therapeutic approach is to provide progesterone to stabilize the endometrium, not withhold it 1.