Dydrogesterone

1 medicine

Dydrogesterone is a synthetic progesterone-like hormone used for luteal support in fertility treatment, irregular periods, and endometriosis; it must not be started with undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or an active hormone-sensitive cancer until these are investigated.

Duphaston

Dydrogesterone

10mg

Duphaston is a womens health medication containing Dydrogesterone, available as 10mg tablets.

from $2.13 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Dydrogesterone (commonly sold as Duphaston) is a synthetic hormone that closely mimics the body's natural progesterone, without the androgenic, male-hormone-like effects of some other progestins.
  • It is taken by mouth, usually starting on a specific day of your cycle or in early pregnancy, exactly as your prescriber directs.
  • Do not start it with unexplained vaginal bleeding: this needs investigation first, since a progestogen can mask an underlying problem such as endometrial disease.
  • Stop it and seek urgent care for symptoms of a blood clot: sudden leg swelling and pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

What dydrogesterone treats

Dydrogesterone treats irregular, heavy, or absent periods and premenstrual symptoms linked to low progesterone. It supports the uterine lining in early pregnancy for women with a history of recurrent miscarriage, and is widely used for luteal-phase support after IVF and other assisted-reproduction procedures. It is also used, often together with an estrogen, in endometriosis and in menopausal hormone therapy to protect the uterine lining.

How dydrogesterone works

Progesterone normally rises after ovulation to thicken and stabilise the uterine lining, supporting a pregnancy if one occurs. Dydrogesterone binds to the same progesterone receptors and reproduces this effect closely, with little activity at androgen or estrogen receptors. This is why it is generally well tolerated compared with some older synthetic progestins.

Before you take it

  • Do not use it with undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, active or past hormone-sensitive breast cancer, or severe liver disease until your prescriber has assessed you.
  • Tell your prescriber about a personal or family history of blood clots, migraine with aura, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Some antifungal, antibiotic, and antiepileptic medicines change hormone levels in the blood and can reduce how well dydrogesterone works.
  • If you become pregnant while taking it for fertility support, keep taking it and follow your prescriber's instructions on when to stop.

Side effects

Common effects include mild nausea, breast tenderness, headache, and spotting or a change in bleeding pattern.

Seek urgent medical care for:

  • Heavy or persistent vaginal bleeding.
  • Sudden leg swelling, pain, or warmth.
  • Chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing up blood.
  • Severe abdominal pain.

Safety essentials

  • Any unexplained or breakthrough vaginal bleeding needs prompt assessment, both before starting treatment and if it appears during treatment, to rule out serious uterine disease.
  • Stop dydrogesterone and get urgent care for any sign of a blood clot (leg swelling, chest pain, sudden breathlessness); a personal history of clots needs specialist review before you start.
  • Do not use it if you have an active hormone-sensitive cancer, since progestogens can stimulate hormone-responsive tissue.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.