Safety of Proov Pro Supplements with Prescribed Progesterone During Luteal Phase
There is no evidence-based guidance on combining over-the-counter progesterone supplements like Proov Pro with prescribed progesterone, and this combination should be avoided due to potential for excessive progesterone exposure and unpredictable interactions.
Key Safety Considerations
Lack of Evidence for Supplement Combinations
- No clinical studies have evaluated the safety or efficacy of combining prescription progesterone with over-the-counter progesterone supplements 1, 2
- The FDA-approved progesterone formulations (micronized progesterone capsules) have been studied only as standalone therapies, not in combination with supplements 1
Risks of Excessive Progesterone Exposure
Prescribed progesterone already carries known side effects that could be amplified by additional supplementation:
- Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, and feeling abnormal 1
- Headaches, breast pain, nausea, vomiting, and fluid retention are frequently reported 1
- Some women experience extreme dizziness and drowsiness severe enough to impair driving or operating machinery 1
Formulation and Dosing Concerns
- Different progesterone formulations and routes of administration are not interchangeable and serve distinct clinical purposes 3, 4
- Prescription progesterone dosing is carefully calibrated (typically 100-400 mg depending on indication), and adding unregulated supplement doses creates unpredictable total exposure 1
- Over-the-counter supplements lack the manufacturing controls and standardization of FDA-approved medications 5
Metabolite Accumulation Risk
- Oral progesterone undergoes >90% first-pass hepatic metabolism, producing high levels of metabolites (particularly 5-alpha reduced forms) that cause drowsiness and dizziness 5, 2
- Adding supplemental progesterone could further increase these problematic metabolite levels
Clinical Recommendation
If you are taking prescribed progesterone for a specific medical indication (such as luteal phase support, threatened miscarriage, or preterm birth prevention), do not add over-the-counter progesterone supplements without explicit approval from your prescribing physician 1.
What to Discuss with Your Provider
- The specific reason you were prescribed progesterone
- Why you are considering additional supplementation
- Whether your current progesterone dose is adequate for your clinical situation
- Alternative evidence-based interventions if your current therapy seems insufficient
Important Caveat
The safety profile of prescription progesterone has been established only for FDA-approved formulations used as monotherapy 1, 2. Combining with supplements introduces unknown variables that could compromise both safety and efficacy of your prescribed treatment.