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[TNM45689]

Hi

I am post-menopausal at 46 and just been to the Chelsea & Westminster Menopause Clinic - have been given 50mg estradiol and 100mg utrogestan. I am so nervous about starting especially reading about everyone's personal experiences.

Also, the estradiol seems quite low compared to alot of you ladies.

Any reassurance much appreciated.

Thanks
xx

[Dotty]

Go for it.

I've been on Oestrogel and Utrogestan for 3 months and it's worked wonders. No side effects.

[Kernow]

Hi there,

I know how you feel, I was exactly the same.

Take a leap of faith..sure you'll be fine
I'm on Estradot 37.5 and Uterogestan 200mcg sequi.

Use the forum, there are lots of knowledgeable bods on here, good luck x

[Dancinggirl]

TNM4589 - the regime you have been given can be really great.  The oestrogen level is a standard dose and should be fine.  The ladies who take higher doses do so because they are not absorbing for some reason but most women are fine on that dose.

Starting on a continuous HRT regime is not always the best option but you are attending a good menopause clinic and they should give you support if you find this regime gives too many side effects - Utrogestan suits many women extremely well - you do need to take it at night on an empty stomach to allow for proper absorption. 
Just start the HRT and see how it goes - until you try, you'll never know whether this regime suits you or not and if it doesn't then you will try something different.  At your age you need HRT to protect your heart and bones, so don't hesitate - just enjoy feeling better. DG x

[TNM45689]

Thanks so much Dancing girl xx

[SunnyG]

I'm on this regime and have been for about 6 months having started HRT a year ago. It's been a life saver for me. I would really recommend it.

I take the Utrogestan vaginally, less side effects like upset stomach etc. I still find it makes me very sleepy and a bit grumpy but less so than taking it orally.

[Dancinggirl]

Sunny g - do you use Utrogestan  vaginally every day?? Doesn't this irritate your bladder and vaginal area? Pleased to hear this hrt combo works well for you.
TMN456 is doing a continuous regime and I really wouldn't recommend using the progesterone vaginally every day! Utrogestan 100mg should be taken orally every night if used continuously but she can switch to a sequential version if she finds the Utrogestan makes her too sedated. DG x

[SunnyG]

Hi DG, no I use 100mg for 7 days a month, as I'm really sensitive to progesterone. I doesn't irritate me at all, Julie Ayres, Consultant in Leeds recommended doing this, although it isn't licensed in the UK to be used like this (I believe it is in France). You just have to put it quite high up. I use a finger but a few ladies on here use a pessary inserter.

[Dancinggirl]

 Sunny G - I suspected you only used it for a few days each month - I do know it can be used vaginally but I found it irritated my ‘lady bits' like crazy!!!  We are all different so what works for one women won't work for another but it's great for TMN456 to hear you are doing well on this regime. 

As TMN456 is doing a continuous regime it wouldn't be wise to use Utrogestan vaginally - it might also curb the sex life rather too much as well . DG x

[SunnyG]

Oh yes, okay That makes sense 

[TNM45689]

Hi they have given me the Utrogestan as a tablet to take continously - I thought as my periods have stopped that if I did not take continuously I would get a bleed. I am so confused - do many people take the tablet continously or do they still do on a cycle even though their periods have stopped (I guess this would make you have a bleed again?) - sorry I am really not sure how this all works!?

Thanks so much
xx

[Dancinggirl]

TMN - it is all very confusing when you start on this journey with HRT.
You could use a sequential hrt regime but it would mean you would get a monthly bleed,  although some women do get away with doing a longer cycle e.g. a bleed every 6 weeks but this needs to be monitored.
Many women choose to stick with a sequential hrt regime and put up with a monthly bleed, to avoid using progesterone too much - sunnyG is obviously very sensitive to progesterone so she does a reduced progesterone phase but this method needs to have regular scans to ensure the womb lining doesn't build up.
You may find you are fine with this progesterone - the important thing is not to expect problems. It is a shame that you have opted to start with a continuous regime - are you keen to avoid having bleeds again? You may still get some bleeding or spotting in the first few months on any continuous hrt regime so don't be alarmed if this happens as this is very normal.
The prescription you have been given could be used sequentially or continuously so if you want to start this HRT sequentially you can simply look under TREATMENTS at the top of this page and look at the ‘progesterones' section to see how to do things.
This is obviously very new for you but we are here to support you.
 DG x

[Dotty]

Hi TNM45689 - I take the utrogestan for 25 days of every month and I have had no problems with it at all.  I went straight onto a Conti regime (3 years post meno). I started on Evorel Conti which didn't help at all.  I have been on Oestrogel and Utrogestan now for 3 months and it has got rid of all my awful symptoms.

Don't worry about it, just go ahead and do it.

[TNM45689]

Thanks Dotty - why just 25 days?
xx

[Dotty]

The dose for post meno is for 25 days out of 28. My specialist told me to start on 1st of the month for 25 days and then have a break till the 1st of next month. However, some specialists say take it every day.