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[Ursula]

Hello,

I am starting this tonight for 10 days. I have a history of aura migraines and I'm a little apprehensive. My specialist said I could take orally or vaginally but I can't remember what else she said about this, (my memories shot to pieces). So I am wondering if one of the routes is a better preventative?

Thank you!

[dazned]

Hi Ursula
 

I use mine vaginally last thing before going to bed I understand it absorbs better and more directly to where it's needed I.e the uterus. If you take them orally it has to go through the digestive system first ,also you shouldn't eat drink for 2 hours I think it is before hand ,I must have my evening cuppa and maybe some biscuits or other nice thing before bedtime so that's why I use it that way. Good luck which ever you decide.

[Mary G]

Hello Ursula,

I'm sorry to hear that you suffer with migraine aura, so do I and it is horrible.  Mine are definitely caused by synthetic progestins and I just can't tolerate them at all.  After many different trials, I have started using Utrogestin 100 mg (not a synthetic progestin apparently) vaginally for 7 days every 5 weeks and so far, it seems to have worked well with no side effects, not even any breast pain which I get if I take them orally.  I was told that it would give me a scant bleed but I have to say that it is rather heavier than that!  That said, I think that this would be the best option for you but according to the specialist I see, it is important to only use it for a short period because it builds up in your system and could cause a migraine.  I tried taking it orally every day (continuous combined) for a while with a estrogen patch (I have since moved onto the gel with is better) and I had a migraine aura - by that I mean visual disturbance without headache.  Good and luck and please let know how it works out. 

[evey]

Good luck Ursula with your regime, I have had a lot of support for this forum over changing my regimes over the months!!

Mary G - please can I ask how much oestrogel you use, how many pumps? I use 2 pumps and I started on the utro at 7 days, then increased to 10 days, however as I did not have a bleed on the 10 day regime last 2 cycles am now starting 200mg for 12  days (previously was 100mg).

[Spangles]

Hi Ursula
I use mine vaginally as I get more side effects if I use it orally. Occasionally my bladder can be a bit sensitive but bladder sensitivity can occur during menopause anyway.
Thanks
Shellb
xXx

[oldsheep]

I take oral. Think it might help sleep more that way and sleep is a big problem for me. I also use vagifem every other night so pessaries might be problematic.

[Mary G]

evey, I use three pumps of gel per day.  This does mean I get a heavier bleed but unfortunately I have to keep the estrogen levels quite high to keep the silent migraines (migraine aura without headache) away.  Am I correct in thinking that you did not get any bleeding on the 7 day utrogestan regime and that is why you have upped the dose?  My problem is the complete opposite, I have periods even if I don't take any progesterone at all but the only difference is they last for two weeks as opposed to 5 days with progesterone - it's the same volume of blood but over a longer period.  Therefore, I take the utrogestan to control the bleeding and make it more manageable - obviously it does give better protection of the womb as well.  I had an internal ultrasound scan recently and they told me that I don't have any build up but I'm not surprised considering the amount of blood I lose!

[Greenfields]

I take it orally but have to be careful to make a note of when I stop eating in the evening so that I allow 2 hours to pass after eating before I take it.

I actually have problems getting off to sleep of late but I don't know whether that's the utrogestan or my evorel patch impacting it.

[Ursula]

Thank you all for your responses. I tried the V route and so far, touch wood, no migraine and feel ok. What I did experience was insomnia, may have just been coincidence but never had this symptom before. And slight nausea during the night. Hopefully tonight I will sleep!

[Greenfields]

Thank you all for your responses. I tried the V route and so far, touch wood, no migraine and feel ok. What I did experience was insomnia, may have just been coincidence but never had this symptom before. And slight nausea during the night. Hopefully tonight I will sleep!

If you look at the leaflet, you will see sleep issues are listed as a side effect, as is nausea.

My experience so far (I'm in to my second cycle with it) is that I've had a whole range of different side effects and they've come and gone over time - so it's a good idea to keep a journal for your record and to discuss with your Dr.  Good luck! xx

[evey]

Thanks Mary G, well I am post meno, I am 56, so many different experiences for everyone!!  Yes I have tinkered quite a lot with this utrogestan!!  Was scared initially to use 200mg cos of the side effects I read about so I used 100mg for 7 days,  then always using the 100mg utro used either  for 10. Days, etc my problem was always extreme tiredness that I couldn't cope with whilst working, I've had various periods of bleeding, had a scan 6 months ago and the lining was thin, since then using utro at 10 days for 2 cycles got breakthrough bleeding and not much, lastly no bleeding for last 2 cycles at 10 days then the next month 12 days, so..... Realised this is not good I have to have a bleed so started 200 mg utro for 12 days, I plan to do this for a few months until I have a lining scan in mid August, if the lining is ok then I may lengthen my cycle to every 2 months, and have 6 monthly or yearly scans!! Now on 5th day of utro and yes it has made me very tired and foggy, but I just keep busy and ignore it then it seems to be a lot better!  Also it has made my bladder funny and I do have bit of a bladder prolapse but I have upped the kegal excercies and it has really helped, so that issue has got a lot better!   Sorry if I have gone on a bit, I think this site just lets us read about everyone else's experiences, get ideas, info and get it off our chests!     

[Ursula]

Another update... I took the Utrogestan for 10 days and I'm now having a withdrawal bleed. Amazingly *touch wood* I have had no side effects, since the slight hiccup of the first night. The only down side is the bleed! I haven't had one for a year, the only benefit of the menopause in my opinion!

*What I am experiencing now is nausea, like morning sickness, (so far on 1st and 2nd day of bleed). I wonder if this is to do with the reduction of progesterone?

[Briony]

Another update... I took the Utrogestan for 10 days and I'm now having a withdrawal bleed. Amazingly *touch wood* I have had no side effects, since the slight hiccup of the first night. The only down side is the bleed! I haven't had one for a year, the only benefit of the menopause in my opinion!

*What I am experiencing now is nausea, like morning sickness, (so far on 1st and 2nd day of bleed). I wonder if this is to do with the reduction of progesterone?

Glad you've been OK with the Utrogestan. I took 200mg for 14 days, despite migraines with auras, and had no problems beyond a little tiredness on the first few days of the first month. Not sure why the nausea occurs, but I have had it a lot (pre HRT / the pill).  Interestingly, it has got better since I've been taking additional oestrogen (I thought it might make it worse).