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[SilverFairy]

Is anyone here just taking bio identical Progesterone for their menopause symptoms?

[Taz2]

That's an interesting question. I have always thought that most of the meno symptoms such as hot flushes, dry skin, vaginal problems are caused by too little oestrogen and that the progesterone is only added to protect the womb so this is something new to me. I'm sure someone will be along soon to give their advice. I know that some women do feel better on the progesterone phase of HRT - sadly I'm not one of them!

Taz x

[Suzyq]

I did progesterone only for over a year and it helped all my symptoms but I only had symptoms during the two weeks from ovulation I.e. When estrogen drops and you should have high progesterone levels! I didn't as my progesterone has been zero for a few years! Even now I am using progesterone daily as if I don't I get terrible anxiety, fatigue etc. the daily progesterone helps so much. My specialist felt that using for only 12 days was too much for me with the rapid rise and falls

[sue23]

hi please could you tell me what one you are on,progesterone that is, I haven't a womb or cervix, but still overies, I have my trouble after the 23rd of each month for two weeks, that's when I would of had a period, 

[Suzyq]

I was using ultrogestan but am now using compounded progesterone cream which I get on prescription (but I live in canada). Are you on estrogen?

[SilverFairy]

I was on my third HRT regime, which I had researched (this site and many more!) I had to give up the previous two due to bad headaches. I believed, again by research, that it was the progesterone causing these (I had suffered badly from PMT before my menopause) so was looking to try bio identical.

I chose to ask for Utrogestan 100mg and Estrodot 25mg. I had been on it for about 6 weeks? when I came across a website extolling the virtues of Progesterone only HRT. I was a tad cynical, as they also sold the product, but read all I could because I was still getting vague headaches (although it may not have been due to the HRT) and weight gain, which almost certainly was!!
I also have Graves and felt the oestrogen (an anti thyroid, for want of the scientific term!) was making me more hypo.
According to the website, if your Vitamin D levels are too low (and some other things, you would need to read through) and the amount of progesterone you are taking, too low, you will have symptoms of Oestrogen dominance.
Anyhoo, two weeks ago I stopped using the Estrodot and starting opening up the Utrogestan capsule and rubbing it into my skin, changing area each night. I have had no flushes which I get within two/three days of stopping oestrogen. I don't feel as tired, but that may be that no oestrogen means I'm less hypo thyroid. I haven't lost weight, but neither have I put anymore on. Sleep is a bit erratic, one night ok the next not so good, but again I think that has to do with my Graves and being less hypo (I was sleeping every night like a stone, 10/12 hours, but not feeling the least refreshed in the morning)
So, I will try this for minimum 3 months unless I get any weird side effects.

[Suzyq]

Will be interesting to see how you get on!  Please keep posting.

[Sarah2]

How do you know that the progesterone is being absorbed through your skin?

[Cassie]

Thats what I was wondering Suzy...have you a uterus or not? With the cream, if you do have a uterus, do you get regular bleeds and have checks to see what the lining is looking like?

[Sarah2]

Although Utrogestan can be absorbed vaginally, as the tissues are obviously designed for this, I'd be worried that it could be absorbed through 'ordinary ' skin. It was equally possible that the headaches were because of too little oestrogen- I get one when I try to reduce my Oestrogel.

I think you need to be careful. For a start, how are you going to access Utrogestan in the amount you will need without a prescription? Or maybe you have been given 3 months' worth?
I wouldn't want to use any type of hormones without medical input because you really don't know what they might do - good or bad!

[Hurdity]

This is what it says on this site about progesterone cream - which you will be replicating by rubbing in utrogestan:

PROGESTERONE CREAM "Natural" progesterone cream is available on private prescription in varying strengths. Studies have shown inconsistent results on effect on menopausal symptoms. Claims for a protective effect on bones have not been confirmed. Women who take systemic estrogen for menopausal symptoms must also take progestogen to protect the womb lining from being stimulated by the estrogen. Progesterone cream is not suitable for giving protection to the womb lining and should not be relied on for this purpose..

The theory of oestrogen dominance has been knocking around for ages and there are, as far as I know no trials or evidence to support this idea.

The bottom line is - your oestrogen levels drop to their lowest levels about 2 years following your last period and as well as early symptoms ( such as flushes sweats etc) there are later consequences of prolonged oestrogen deprivation that progesterone - as a different hormone- cannot treat. These later consequences include vaginal atrophy, and bladder problems ( probably the most noticeable) and potential problems with bones ( oesteoporosis) as well as heart and circulation.

Unfortunately there is no way of distinguishing between the reliable scientifically tested information, and theories where products are sold. You will find that most such sites are American where there is a different healthcare system and a huge number of independent practitioners recommending and offering all sorts!

My view is - if progesterone only HRT was recommended during and after menopause - then it would be available on the NHS, and there would be scientific information and trials demonstrating its efficacy.

There is an interaction between thyroid and estrogen metabolism I understand - but that doesn't alter the facts about oestrogen deprivation.

Hurdity x

[Sarah2]

I agree 100% with what Hurdity posted.

Another comment that may be useful- my gynae has written something about natural progesterone and says that although it is available in cream or gel form in some countries,  the dose needed is unacceptably large for application through the skin and would not be absorbed in the right level needed for uterine protection. (This excludes vaginal use of Utrogestan)

This suggests that the amount you would get from 100mg would not have any effect.

He adds that there are some women who feel that OTC progesterone creams relieve hot flushes but there are no scientific trials which show this.

There is another consideration and maybe others can comment: when women stop HRT ( sequi) they should end with a bleed. If you  have stopped your oestrogen and not had a bleed then you may need to use the Utrogestan in the way it works to thin your uterine lining, one last time, although 6 weeks of unopposed oestrogen at a low dose it not very much.

[Suzyq]

I do still have a uterus and bio-identical progesterone cream is widely prescribed here. To answer your question about how I know whether the progesterone is being absorbed, I am currently having blood tests every six weeks or so until we get to a regime that seems to be working, and I will have scans as required. There is actually a very recent Canadian study about the efficacy of progesterone only in reducing he symptoms of menopause - I do not know how to post a link or I would do!

[Sarah2]

So you aren't in the UK? Ah...

But I'm still puzzled. If you are able to access bio identical progesterone cream via your drs who are giving you blood tests, why use a capsule of Utrogestan instead of working with your drs?
Are you telling that what you are doing so they can monitor what's showing up in blood tests?

[Rowan]

Its silverfairy who is opening utrogest capsules and rubbing it in, something I have read other women are doing.

Suzyq uses compounded natural progesterone cream that has been prescribed. It is not available over the counter in Canada as it is in America, she is also correct about studies using only progesterone for menopause symptoms.