Dydrogesterone
Is It Right for You?
A complete guide to Dydrogesterone — what it treats, how it works, dosages, side effects, and when a clinician may prescribe it following an online consultation.
What Is Dydrogesterone?
Dydrogesterone is a progestogen used mainly as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Taken with an oestrogen, it protects the lining of the womb during menopause treatment.
It is also used for some other hormone-related conditions, such as certain menstrual problems and to support early pregnancy in particular situations. It is found in combined HRT products with estradiol, such as Femoston, and as a single ingredient (Duphaston).
Dydrogesterone is a prescription-only medication in the UK. A licensed clinician can review your symptoms and medical history through a telehealth consultation and prescribe where appropriate.
What Conditions Is Dydrogesterone Used For?
Dydrogesterone is mainly used for:
given with oestrogen to protect the womb lining in women who still have a womb.
helping with certain irregular or absent periods and other progesterone-related issues.
used in some situations, such as threatened or recurrent miscarriage, under specialist guidance.
If you still have a womb and take oestrogen for menopause, a progestogen such as dydrogesterone is essential to protect the womb lining. Do not stop the progestogen part of HRT without advice, as oestrogen alone can thicken the lining.
How Does Dydrogesterone Work?
Dydrogesterone is a progestogen, similar to the body's natural progesterone. In HRT, it counteracts the effect of oestrogen on the lining of the womb.
Oestrogen alone can cause the womb lining to thicken, which over time raises the risk of problems. Dydrogesterone keeps the lining in balance, reducing this risk.
It is described as having few androgenic effects, meaning it is less likely to cause male-type hormonal effects, and it acts mainly on the womb lining and hormonal signalling.
Dosages & Administration
The correct dose depends on the type and severity of infection, age, weight, and kidney function. Always follow your clinician's instructions. The table below is for general reference only.
Administration Tips
Take it exactly as prescribed, as the timing within your HRT cycle matters for protecting the womb lining and controlling bleeding.
Tell your clinician about any unexpected bleeding, especially new or heavy bleeding, so it can be checked.
Side Effects of Dydrogesterone
Side effects are usually mild. They reflect its progestogen action and are often part of overall HRT effects.
- Breast tenderness
- Headache or migraine
- Bloating
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Changes in bleeding pattern
- Signs of a blood clot - swollen, painful leg, chest pain, breathlessness
- New, heavy, or persistent unexpected vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Severe allergic reaction
Tell your clinician about any unexpected, persistent, or heavy vaginal bleeding on HRT. While often harmless, it sometimes needs investigation to rule out problems with the womb lining.
Drug Interactions
Always disclose all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements to your clinician or pharmacist before starting dydrogesterone.
Some epilepsy medicines, rifampicin, and St John's Wort can reduce the effect of HRT hormones; your clinician will advise.
These can affect hormone levels; your clinician will review your suitability.
Tell your clinician about other hormones you take so your HRT can be balanced safely.
Dydrogesterone is usually given with oestrogen; the overall HRT regimen is considered as a whole.
Important Warnings
If you have a womb, the progestogen part of HRT is essential to protect the womb lining. Take it as prescribed and do not skip it without advice.
HRT has both benefits and small risks, including effects on clot and breast risk that vary by type, dose, and your own health. Your clinician will discuss these with you.
HRT may be unsuitable with certain conditions, such as some cancers, clotting disorders, or liver disease. Share your full medical history.
HRT is reviewed regularly to check it is still suitable, effective, and at the lowest dose needed for your symptoms.
Speak to a Clinician About Treatment
Getting advice no longer means sitting in a waiting room. Through The GP Service, you can consult with a licensed clinician in minutes — from home, on your lunch break, or wherever works for you. If treatment is clinically appropriate, your clinician can issue a prescription during the consultation. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
The treatment you need, when you need it.
Dydrogesterone FAQs
Yes. A licensed clinician can review your menopause symptoms and medical history through a telehealth consultation and prescribe dydrogesterone-containing HRT where appropriate.
If you still have a womb, a progestogen like dydrogesterone protects the womb lining from the thickening that oestrogen alone can cause, reducing the risk of problems.
This depends on the regimen. Cyclical HRT usually gives a monthly bleed, while continuous combined HRT aims for no regular bleeding, though spotting can occur at first.
It is a progestogen that acts in a similar way to natural progesterone, with relatively few androgenic effects, which some people tolerate well.
Tell your clinician. Some bleeding changes are common when starting HRT, but new, heavy, or persistent bleeding should be checked.
There is no fixed limit; it is reviewed regularly to balance benefits and risks for your symptoms and health. Your clinician will advise on duration.