Duphaston general information
What is Duphaston used for?
Duphaston tablets 10mg are used to treat several conditions that are the result of a lack of progesterone including menstrual disorders like, secondary amenorrhoea (menstrual periods that have stopped, are absent or irregular), dysmenorrhoea or painful periods, premenstrual syndrome and abnormal uterine bleeding, which occurs during the menstrual cycle instead of at the end. Duphaston tablets 10mg are also used to treat endometriosis (growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus causing pain and bleeding), infertility and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage); and are to counteract the stimulating effect of oestrogen on the endometrium, therefore reducing the risk of endometrial cancer, which can develop in response to oestrogen in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms. Adding a progestogen with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals and Duphaston 10 is used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate breast development and reduce the production of testosterone.
How does Duphaston work?
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. Endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone is produced by the ovaries during the second phase of the menstrual cycle. It acts on the endometrium (lining of the uterus) converting the proliferating phase to the secretory phase. This causes the endometrium, which has thickened in response to oestrogen during the first half of the cycle, to stop growing and start secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs; if not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation). The action of dydrogesterone in Duphaston 10helps re-establish a regular menstrual cycle in conditions where a lack of endogenous progesterone causes menstrual problems, such as in secondary amenorrhoea and abnormal uterine bleeding; and helps in the treatment of infertility and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) by stimulating the endometrium to prepare for a pregnancy and protect an existing pregnancy. Duphaston tablets 10mg act on the endometrium in all its locations to stop it growing, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding.
What does Duphaston contain?
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, that is used to treat a variety of conditions resulting from a lack of endogenous (naturally produced) progesterone.
What is the difference between a synthetic progesterone like Duphaston (dydrogesterone) and natural progesterone?
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. However, unlike natural progesterone it is easily absorbed and can be taken in tablet form at relatively low concentrations, whereas natural progesterone is not well absorbed by the gastrointestinal system and until recently could only be administered by injection, but now a new form of natural progesterone, which has been micronized (reduced to tiny particles so that it is better absorbed) is now available. Duphaston 10 can substitute for progesterone in treating conditions that are the result of a lack of progesterone in the body including menstrual disorders, endometriosis and can be used as part of a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regime to counteract the effect of oestrogen and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. However, unlike other synthetic progestogen, dydrogesterone does not interfere with the beneficial effects of oestrogen, such as preventing bone loss and regulating cholesterol and it is not chemically related to testosterone, and therefore has no virilising effects (inducing male characteristics), like, hirsutism or acne.
Treating endometriosis with Duphaston
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. During a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone (produced by the ovaries) acts on the endometrium and causes it to stop growing and start secreting hormones and other proteins needed to maintain a pregnancy, if conception occurs. If not, levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall and the endometrium is shed (menstruation). Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus which behaves in the same way as uterine endometrium, including its response to progesterone. Duphaston 10 acts on the endometrium in all its locations to stop it growing, which alleviates symptoms of endometriosis including pain and bleeding.
Treating menstrual problems with Duphaston
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. A normal menstrual cycle is dependent on the interaction of several hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries as well other regulating hormones produced by the pituitary gland. If any of these hormones are not produced in the correct amounts this can disrupt the cycle and cause problems like amenorrhoea (menstrual periods that have stopped, are absent or irregular) and abnormal uterine bleeding during the menstrual cycle instead of at the end. Duphaston 10 can re-establish a regular menstrual cycle by helping to restore natural hormone levels.
Duphaston for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. Taking oestrogen for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps reduce symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, including, hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy. Oestrogen also has several other beneficial actions in various metabolic processes including bone turnover and lipid (fat) metabolism, but its effect of thickening the endometrium (uterine lining), in the absence of progesterone, which inhibits endometrial growth, can lead to endometrial (uterine) cancer in some menopausal women taking oestrogen only HRT. Duphaston 10 counteracts the stimulating effect of oestrogen on the endometrium, reducing the risk of endometrial cancer, which can develop in response to an oestrogen, in women taking HRT for menopausal symptoms.
Duphaston for transgender treatment
Duphaston tablets 10mg contain dydrogesterone, a synthetic derivative of the female sex hormone progesterone, which means that its chemical structure closely resembles that of naturally produced progesterone and it therefore works in a similar way. Adding a progestogen with an oestrogen is thought to help the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals and Duphaston 10mg tablets are used as a component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and reduce the production of testosterone.
Duphaston for feminising hormone therapy
Duphaston tablets 10mg are used as a progestogen component of transgender hormone therapy along with the feminising hormone oestrogen, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, such as breast development, and reduce the production of testosterone.
What are the side effects of Duphaston?
The most frequently reported side effects when taking Duphaston tablets 10mg, include: nausea, bloating, breast pain, irregular bleeding, dizziness, weight gain, skin rash and itch.
When should Duphaston not be used?
You should not use Duphaston tablets 10mg if you:
- are allergic to dydrogesterone or any other ingredient in Duphaston 10
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, without discussion with your doctor
- have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
- a history of thrombosis (blood clots) or stroke
- abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
How should Duphaston be taken?
You should take Duphaston tablets 10mg, with a glass of water, with or without food, once or twice daily. The dose of Duphaston 10 you take, how often your take it and for how long depends on what you are being treated for. You should continue to take your tablets for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be for 5 days, or taken continually for several days a month and repeated each menstrual cycle for several months, as needed; or taken continuously.
How long should you take Duphaston?
You should continue to take your Duphaston tablets 10mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be for 5 days, or taken continually for several days a month and repeated each menstrual cycle for several months, as needed; or taken continuously.
Missed dose of Duphaston
If you miss a dose of Duphaston Duphaston tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Duphaston be stored?
You should keep your Duphaston tablets 10mg in the blister pack until use. Store in a cool dry place below 30°C.