Hi SilverFairy
I'm not sure what symptoms you have that you have decided on Progesterone only?
It is not usually classed as HRT as such because HRT really refers to oestrogen or oestrogen + progesterone replacement.
However during peri-menopause when hormone levels fluctuate wildly some women are particularly sensitive to the surges and drops of progesterone which can fluctuate more than in the menstrual cycle. I understand some women find that progesterone during the second half of the cycle can minimise the surges and the level is more consistent. However as oestrogen levels also fluctuate many women are also sensitive to this, and definitely later in menopause when oestrogen levels drop to a constant low level, women find that replacing oestrogen is what is needed. Some women are also sensitive to the fall in oestrogen at the end of the cycle and this also causes other symptoms.
Progesterone is always at a low level suring the early phase of the menstrual cycle and cycles between this and the high level following ovulation - to maintain a pregnancy, and post-menopausally it remains at the same low level once ovulation is over for ever and the ovaries have ceased working.
Many women however find that progesterone itself causes permanent pmt type symptoms throughout the second half of the cycle so intake would be kept to a minimum!
If you have decided to take it, there is no danger in taking it at any time but as I explained above it depends on your reasons.
Have you seen the article on this site about peri-menopause?
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.phpHurdity x