Key takeaways
Estradiol gel (Divigel) and progesterone injection are both used to address hormone-related conditions, but they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses. Divigel is an estrogen replacement therapy primarily used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It is applied topically to the skin of the thigh once a day. Progesterone injection, on the other hand, is a progestin used to treat lack of menstrual periods and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormone imbalance. It's also often used off-label as part of infertility treatments. It is typically injected into the thigh or butt muscle once daily. While both medications can cause breast tenderness and weight changes, Divigel is associated with risks such as blood clots and certain cancers, and should be used along with a progestin in most cases. Progesterone injection side effects include injection site pain, fluid retention, and breast tenderness.
