Progesterone
Luteal-phase support after IUI, retrieval, or embryo transfer
Sold as Endometrin, Crinone, Prometrium, progesterone in oil
Progesterone supports the uterine lining after ovulation, IUI, or embryo transfer, and is what a frozen-transfer cycle uses in place of the hormone a natural corpus luteum would produce. Given vaginally as a capsule, insert, or gel, or as an intramuscular oil injection.
When it is given
Started around the retrieval or before a frozen embryo transfer and continued through the two-week wait, and often for several weeks into a pregnancy if the transfer works.
What it actually costs
The national average price a US pharmacy pays to acquire this drug, published by CMS for every priced package. A wholesale floor, not a retail quote.
- Progesterone 200 MG CapsuleNDC 70700016301 · effective Aug 19, 2026$0.42/ ea
- Progesterone 200 MG CapsuleNDC 69452023420 · effective Aug 19, 2026$0.42/ ea
- Progesterone 200 MG CapsuleNDC 65162080810 · effective Aug 19, 2026$0.42/ ea
- Progesterone 500 MG/10 ML VialNDC 00143972501 · effective Aug 19, 2026$1.44/ mL
- Progesterone 500 MG/10 ML VialNDC 70700028622 · effective Aug 19, 2026$1.44/ mL
- Progesterone 500 MG/10 ML VialNDC 63323026110 · effective Aug 19, 2026$1.44/ mL
- Progesterone 500 MG/10 ML VialNDC 55150030610 · effective Aug 19, 2026$1.44/ mL
- Progesterone 500 MG/10 ML VialNDC 00591312879 · effective Aug 19, 2026$1.44/ mL
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) · as of Aug 19, 2026
Across a whole stimulation cycle, medication typically totals $3,000–$7,000, which is the number that matters for a budget. See the full cycle breakdown or how families pay for it.
What the prescribing information says
The current FDA structured product label, as published through openFDA and DailyMed. Excerpted verbatim, not summarised.
Boxed warning
WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, BREAST CANCER and PROBABLE DEMENTIA FOR ESTROGEN PLUS PROGESTIN THERAPY Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia Estrogens plus progestin therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS , Cardiovascular disorders and Probable dementia . ) The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke and myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS , Cardiovascular disorders . ) The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of the WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) combined with MPA (2.5 mg), relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women. (See CLINICAL STUDIES and WARNINGS
What the FDA label approves it for
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Progesterone capsules are indicated for use in the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women who are receiving conjugated estrogens tablets. They are also indicated for use in secondary amenorrhea.
Dosage and administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prevention of Endometrial Hyperplasia Progesterone capsules should be given as a single daily dose at bedtime, 200 mg orally for 12 days sequentially per 28-day cycle, to postmenopausal women with a uterus who are receiving daily conjugated estrogens tablets. Treatment of Secondary Amenorrhea Progesterone capsules may be given as a single daily dose of 400 mg at bedtime for 10 days. Some women may experience difficulty swallowing progesterone capsules. For these women, progesterone capsules should be taken with a glass of water while in the standing position.
Warnings and cautions
WARNINGS See BOXED WARNING . 1. Cardiovascular disorders An increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, and myocardial infarction has been reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. Should any of these occur or be suspected, estrogen with progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. Risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (for example, personal history or family history of venous thromboembolism [VTE], obesity, and systemic lupus erythematosus) should be managed appropriately. a. Stroke In the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy, a statistically significant increased risk of stroke was reported in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (33 versus 25 per 10,000 women-years). The increase in risk was demonstrated after the first year and persisted. (See CLINICAL STUDIES .) Should a stroke occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately. b. Coronary Hear
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Progesterone capsules should not be used in women with any of the following conditions: Progesterone capsules should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to its ingredients. Progesterone capsules contain peanut oil and should never be used by patients allergic to peanuts. Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer. Active deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or history of these conditions. Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and myocardial infarction), or a history of these conditions. Known liver dysfunction or disease. Known or suspected pregnancy.
Label for PROGESTERONE, source: openFDA structured product labels · as of Sep 5, 2026
What has been reported to the FDA
FAERS is a voluntary reporting system. A high count reflects how widely a drug is used and how often people report, not how dangerous it is, and a report is not proof the drug caused the event.
- headache 2,094
- off label use 1,831
- fatigue 1,795
- drug ineffective 1,775
- pain 1,482
- nausea 1,475
Source: openFDA FAERS (drug adverse events) · as of Sep 5, 2026
About Progesterone
What is Progesterone used for in fertility treatment?
Progesterone supports the uterine lining after ovulation, IUI, or embryo transfer, and is what a frozen-transfer cycle uses in place of the hormone a natural corpus luteum would produce. Given vaginally as a capsule, insert, or gel, or as an intramuscular oil injection. Started around the retrieval or before a frozen embryo transfer and continued through the two-week wait, and often for several weeks into a pregnancy if the transfer works.
How is Progesterone given?
Vaginal / injectable. Started around the retrieval or before a frozen embryo transfer and continued through the two-week wait, and often for several weeks into a pregnancy if the transfer works.
How much does Progesterone cost?
The national average price a US pharmacy pays to acquire it (CMS NADAC) is $0.42 per ea, effective Aug 19, 2026. That is a wholesale floor, not the cash price you are charged. Across a whole IVF cycle, stimulation medication typically totals $3,000 to $7,000.
Other medications in a cycle
- EstradiolBuilds the uterine lining before a frozen embryo transferLuteal support and transfer prep
- LetrozoleOvulation induction (commonly first-line for PCOS)Ovulation induction
- Clomiphene citrateOvulation inductionOvulation induction
- Follitropin (FSH)Controlled ovarian stimulation for IVFOvarian stimulation