Micronized progesterone vs Medroxyprogesterone (2026)

Quick answer: Micronized progesterone (Prometrium) is body-identical and preferred in several guidelines. Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) is synthetic: the WHI estrogen-plus-MPA arm showed increased breast-cancer risk, and observational cohort data suggest a smaller risk signal with micronized progesterone — direct head-to-head RCTs are lacking.

Related comparisons(3)

Estradiol vs Estriol
Estradiol patch vs Estradiol gel
Bioidentical HRT vs Synthetic HRT

Sources(2)

Peer-reviewed and regulatory references. External links open in new tab.

Rossouw JE et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin (WHI). JAMA, 2002 ↗
Fournier A et al. Postmenopausal hormone therapies and breast cancer risk by progestagen type (E3N cohort). J Clin Oncol, 2008 ↗

Compare Micronized progesterone vs Medroxyprogesterone

Both medications in the HRT category. Deep clinical comparison coming soon. See all medications for now.