Is Progesterone safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Progesterone poses heightened risk.
What is progesterone?
The IUPAC name is (8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-acetyl-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one.
Also known as: (8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-acetyl-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one, Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, Agolutin, Crinone.
- IUPAC name
- (8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-acetyl-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
- CAS number
- 57-83-0
- Molecular formula
- C21H30O2
- Molecular weight
- 314.5 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC(=O)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C)C
- PubChem CID
- 5994
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Progesterone poses heightened risk.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
High riskProgesterone poses pregnancy risk through potential teratogenicity, altered pharmacokinetics (increased blood volume, changed CYP activity), and placental transfer. FDA pregnancy category should be evaluated.
Known reproductive toxicant (GHS H360) or confirmed endocrine disruptor. Placental transfer is presumed. Fetal exposure during critical developmental windows may cause structural malformations, growth restriction, or functional deficits.
Regulatory consensus
5 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Progesterone. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC (progestogens as a class Group 2B in Vol 72, 1999; Group 1 for combined estrogen-progestogen preparations as pharmaceutical class in Vol 100A, 2012; natural progesterone specifically Group 2B) | 2012 | IARC Group 2B for progestogens including progesterone; Group 1 applies to combined estrogen-progestogen pharmaceutical preparations (OCs, HRT) as a class; endogenous luteal phase and pregnancy hormone; important pharmaceutical in assisted reproduction; less carcinogenic than synthetic progestins; not classified for carcinogenicity by NTP or US EPA as individual compound | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 3 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 3 positive / 7 negative reports) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter progesterone
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Progesterone:
-
Ester quats (diethyl ester dimethyl ammonium chloride)
Trade-offs: Slightly different performance feelRelative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is progesterone safe for kids?
Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Progesterone poses heightened risk.
What products contain progesterone?
Progesterone appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to progesterone?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about progesterone?
Progesterone has been classified by 5 agencies including IARC (progestogens as a class Group 2B in Vol 72, 1999; Group 1 for combined estrogen-progestogen preparations as pharmaceutical class in Vol 100A, 2012; natural progesterone specifically Group 2B), EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Progesterone in the baby app
Look up products containing progesterone, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- IARC Monographs Vol 100A 2012: Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Group 1; Progesterone Group 2B Vol 72 1999; Micronized Progesterone Favorable vs Synthetic Progestins; HRT Endometrial Protection; GABA-A Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone; CAFO Livestock Estrus Synchronization (2012) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →