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[karenja]

Hi bit worried I'm on estradot patches and meant to take Utrogestan orally for 25 days, struggled with it so decided to try it vaginally for 12 with fifteen day break only managed 6 been off them for 5 days or thereabouts haven't had a bleed - should mistook estradot too I'm due to change patch today x

[Taz2]

 Sorry you are still worrying karenja. There's some good advice on your other thread http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26439.msg409282.html#msg409282

You really can't still use the estradot if you're not also taking the correct amount of utrogestan as this puts you at risk of endometrial cancer. As Honeyb says it might be better to stop altogether if you are not able to give it the three months for side effects to settle down. Most of us have to go through some kind of unwell feeling while the hormones are taking effect.

Taz x

[karenja]

Hi taz yes think I'm
Going to have to come off or start Utrogestan properly don't know when is start it again now and already feeling poorly with cough and cold x

[honeybun]

Sorry you are feeling bad.

As Taz says you are starting to run risks now. Probably better to come off and let your body settle before trying again if you need to.
I would also have a word with your GP as they might want to do a scan and check everything is ok.

Hope your cold clears soon. It's never easy is it.

Honeyb
x

[karenja]

thanks Honeybun, yes Im off tomorrow so will speak to gp then, Happy New Year to you.

Iv taken the patch off now as too risky x

[honeybun]

Good decision I think.


Happy New Year to you too.


Honeyb
x

[Hurdity]

Hi karenja

The others are right in that prolonged use of oestrogen without progestogen increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (thickened lining) which itself can lead to cancer in a few cases.

However this is not going to happen overnight and therefore you do not need to take your patch off. It really is better that you try to keep to a consistent regime as your body won't know what's happening to it! It is better to leave it on and at least give your oestrogen levels a chance to stabilise.

As for the utrogestan - you haven't really given it a proper chance. I feel for you if you are having such bad side effects that you can't cope. Some women (very few) are highly intolerant of progesterone. However you mentioned fatigue - this is absolutely normal, as well as initial feelings of being spaced out, maybe foggy head etc. What was it that made you stop taking them after 6 days?

Not sure what you mean by "should mistook estradot" ??

The reason you haven't had a bleed may be because your lining hasn't built up enough during the time you had oestrogen only. Do I remember you don't usually bleed on HRT? When did you last have a bleed and what had you been taking? However the amount of bleeding is dose dependent on the amount of progesterone ( as well as oestrogen).

re the side effects - are you also using Vagifem? I make sure I am well plumped up with vagifem before and during my utrogestan cycle to minimise systemic absorption and therefore side effects.

Re a 7 day regime. Prof Studd recommends this regime for progesterone intolerant women but these will be women who are seeing him privately - very expensive and so that he can monitor their uterus. So - it is possible to take HRT with a short progesterone cycle but it is not advisable to do this unsupervised  because of the risks mentioned.

My view is that you need to try again with the Progesterone. I can't see how the GP can help you since s/he was reluctant to prescribe that you are using in the first place. Unless you are getting terrible migraines, or are so tired that you can't function, the other symptoms are perfectly normal and unfortunately need to be tolerated - the rest of us put up with them, as we did with periods and pms!! Perhpas ask for a referral if you can to a menopause clinic if there is one near you?

Keep a diary of what you are doing and how you feel as well - but try not to focus on every twinge - we all get those! Good luck... 

Hurdity x

[karenja]

Hi Hurdity have sent you a private message to, if Im to put a fresh estradot patch on (due to change today anyway) when now will I start the progesterone again, as ive taken six and had six days off.

Last natural bleed last December but I did have bleed when I came off the first hrt I tool ellesete duet too early that was back in June I think, I have also just turned 54, this seems to have a bearing?

Sorry I don't know what I was trying to say by should mistook estradot either?

what is vagifem is that instead of the estradot? x

[karenja]

Hi Ladies I may just put a fresh estradot patch on but don't know where I am now when I will start the Utrogestan again as used it for six days and have now been off it six days, when would I start again? would that be in nine days time? x

[honeybun]

I think you should speak to your GP. You had decided to stop everything which I think is the right thing to do. Your body must be all over the place with all the chopping and changing.

I know that a lot of ladies on the forum and that includes me, have tried all sorts but mostly under a doctors advise.

You really need to get things sorted properly. We can relate our own experiences but that's all they are. You should seek medical advice before putting on another patch or trying anything else.

Others may disagree but that's my opinion.

Wishing you well.


Honeyb
X

[Hurdity]

Hi karenja

You only just took the patch off today so just put it back on again! Mine sometimes drops off for a few hours and I haven't noticed!

Re the progesterone. I can't remember exactly what you were on before and when you stopped eg did you go straight from the progesterone part of combi HRT ( patch or pill) onto Estradot? However no matter - I would just actually start the Utrogestan again today if possible and try to do 11 days if you can.

When you are post-meno or very late peri-meno then the cycle is artificial so no problem to start again straight away.

Make a chart and cross off each day as it comes. Try to think of something to distract you if you feel rough. If you work full-time and you are off tomorrow that will give you 3 mornings to cope with without having to work hopefully. Then it's only 8 more and only 5 of which you are at work. Try to find a way of waking yourself up before work - coffee in the morning, some vigorous exercise and tell yourself that any dizziness or foggy head will pass. Pace yourself and try not to do too much. I don't know what work you do.....

If you want to speak to your GP still then do that too - especially re your chest pain but from what you say you have a bug too ie cough and cold so that's bound to make you feel miserable and run down especially at this time of year. It's too early to worry about lack of bleed as yet because you didn't take the progesterone for long enough. I would go for 3 full cycles and see where you are with it.

Make sure you are having plenty of Vitamin C and fresh fruit etc and a good diet to help you recover from your cold and keep yourself as well as you can!

Above all try not to worry!

Hurdity x 

[karenja]

Hi so took my first ultrogestan last night (trying again) between I've been taking cough mixture and not sleèping feel groggy and yuck and at least this morning I could go back to sleep I can't tomorrow - will try and perserve one down! X

[warwick01]

Hi Karenja

When you stopped after 6 days did you have a bleed??? I only took 7 myself and had a heavy bleed 6 days following last tablet.

Good luck second time round ??

[karenja]

Hi Warwick no haven't had a bleed which I understand is ok? Do u take ultrogestan vaginally? I do wonder whether I need to check this is ok with gp as he prescribed them orally for 25 days and I'm using them
Vaginally for twelve ( if I can last) just trying to help side effects x

[Kittyjay]

Hi Karenja - sorry the utrogestan regime is not going easy... Wanted to share with you that I am on 2nd month of utrogestan (vaginally 1-25 days) with estradot patch 50. My first month was hideous to be honest. Anxiety all over the place, painful heavy bleed about day 21 and I actually thought I was going insane and having a breakdown/meltdown. 
Can't believe I stuck with it...but I did ... And month 2 is much better so far. I actually belly laughed yesterday for first time in months and feel much calmer than last month. Not sure if I will continue with the vaginal route forever as its not that practical (if I ever get my libido back!) but for now it avoids health anxiety I have for taking hrt orally.
If you can find a way to stick at it for a couple of months, you may find it does get easier. Hugs xxx