US Faces Progesterone Shortages as Demand for Menopause and Fertility Treatments Increases

Jun 17, 2026

The U.S. faces intermittent shortages of progesterone for menopause and fertility treatments, driven by a surge in demand for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This follows the FDA's removal of a safety warning in late 2025, which helped triple prescriptions since 2021. While manufacturers like Amneal are increasing capacity, patients face difficulties, prompting a turn to less-regulated compounding pharmacies and raising safety concerns among doctors.

U.S. progesterone supply shortages

▪Progesterone shortages are considered milder than those for estrogen patches, partly due to available alternatives and because not all HRT patients require it.
▪The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists lists oral progesterone from Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Hikma Pharmaceuticals in its shortages database.
▪The progesterone supply issues follow existing difficulties for patients in filling prescriptions for estrogen patches, another common hormone therapy.
▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not officially list progesterone as being in shortage.
▪The U.S. is experiencing intermittent shortages of oral progesterone, which is used in fertility and menopause treatments.

Rising HRT demand post-FDA change

▪Demand for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) rose sharply after the FDA removed a long-standing safety warning from many such therapies in late 2025.
▪Progesterone is often prescribed with estrogen to reduce uterine cancer risk and relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes.
▪Progesterone-containing HRT prescriptions for women aged 45 and older more than tripled between January 2021 and May 2026.
▪According to health analytics company Truveta, prescribing rates for progesterone-containing HRT have increased by over 19% since the FDA's 2025 label change.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer supply responses

▪CVS Health reported that manufacturers have been unable to provide sufficient Hormone Replacement Therapy supplies for several months.
▪Amneal Pharmaceuticals acknowledged increased demand for its progesterone capsules and is increasing manufacturing capacity at its New York facility.
▪According to an FDA database, nine companies manufacture oral progesterone, though Dr. Reddy's stated it has not done so in the U.S. since 2022.
▪Michael Ganio of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists noted that manufacturers have not disclosed a specific cause for the shortages.

Compounding pharmacy alternatives

▪Compounding pharmacies are permitted to prepare their own drugs when the FDA has declared a shortage or when personalized doses are needed.
▪Some patients and providers are turning to compounding pharmacies for progesterone and estrogen amid commercial supply issues.

Compounded medication safety concerns

▪Dr. Gillian Goddard of NYU warned that compounded products could contain incorrect dosages, potentially leading to health issues and costly procedures.
▪Medical experts caution against using compounded progesterone as it is not subject to the same strict regulatory process as FDA-approved drugs.