Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jasmine_2015]

I tried twice to get used to Utrogestan 100mgs continuously and I just felt horrendous. My oestrogen level is still low so I think the build up of Progesterone in combination with low oestrogen was just making things worse. I took the decision myself to try the off license dose of 100mg every other day vaginally and things are definitely better. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[sheila99]

Thank you sheila. I havent tried everol. The estradot are giving me a rash tho.
Is the everol patch 2 weeks E patch and 2 weeks combined E and P?

Yes. That's the sequi that I used. I was peri, if your meno you can use the combined patch all the time. Might be useful to start on sequi so can tell if you're OK on the prog.

[Tc]

Good idea sheila. Well I feel like I've got a few options now. I felt so stuck before. So thanks so much ladies.
I'm going to leave the utro for 14 days although I'm worried about doing it. But it might get me nearer to an answer. I've got to wait for blood test in a month before changing the eastrogen. But I feel like I might be able to present the gynae with a few ideas now. Shes pretty clueless herself!! I'm seeing gp next week and I'm going to ask referral to C & W.
I'm so glad I posted this. I feel less anxious now about being thinking I might be a " hopeless case".
Much love to you all.xxx

[NorthArm]

Hi Tc, sorry to hear you're still suffering.....

With stopping the Utrogestan, remember you might feel even more lousy as the prog leaves your system (lasted with me about 4-5 days) and you might also get quite a heavy bleed xx

I'm using the mirena with a patch, so far so good, although I have dropped the patch back to 75mcg and T back to .3mg as I had a feeling it was a bit much. Again so far, so good.

Good luck with it all xx

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi TC- can I ask why you're on such a high dose of oestrogen? X

[Tc]

Northann thanks for the heads up!! It realy helps  to know that ahead of time as I wont panic if I get either effects now.  I am so  pleased for you that you seem to have found the right balance.  long may it continue. Xxx

Michele. I havent absorbed the eastrogen I've had at all so far which was borne out in a blood test. I must admit I increased it myself a couple of weeks ago as I was so desperate. I'm supposed to be on 100 patch.
Are you experiencing similar problems?
.

[Saffy]

As you know, TC, I think you're right to stop the continuous progesterone. I can't imagine functioning at all if I took it every day and I don't have anywhere near the side effects that you have. A few weeks without it is not going to cause any lasting issues even if you were absorbing the oestrogen properly.

I also got on really well with the Levornogestrel in Microgynon when I was younger but wanted to try the Utro as a first choice for HRT as I was suffering quite a bit of hair loss in early peri (levo is testosterone derived). Ironic really as I'm now on testosterone! Definitely worth thinking about the Mirena or maybe the Jaydess which is lower dose and some specialists seem to be offering it for progesterone intolerant women. My concern with it is the lack of control  - I would need to get it out NOW if it didn't agree with me plus I have the incredible disappearing cervix (smear tests are always fun  .)

[Hurdity]

Hi Tc sorry to hear of your ongoing problems. Just wanted to make a few comments.

Re the gynae being surprised at your reaction because utro is body-identical: the reason some women feel bad on it is because it has to be taken in high doses because it breaks down quickly in the body so the amount needs to be sufficient to protect the uterus. Therefore as I understand it the systemic amount is higher than we would experience naturally during our menstrual cycle ( though not in pregnancy which is a special case of v high prog and v high oestrogen), even when used vaginally - although more gets to the uterus when used this way. Also there are more metabolites (from breakdown through the liver) when taken orally - and these can lead to more sdie effects - but I think you've been taking it vaginally which minimises these.

I'm glad you are trying it cyclically as a starter to see how you feel - as we have been suggesting this for some time. The gyane is right - I think there is a higher RELATIVE risk of endometrial cancer using HRT cyclically than continuously but the ABSOLUTE risk is very small. If it was large (the risk of endo cancer) then HRT would not be used without strong caveats! Endometrial cancer is a long way down the line following from a thickened endometrium, which can become endmetiral hyperplasia with cellular changes. Only a small proportion of these become cancerous and there are usually other signs before you reach this stage ie bleeding, or thickened endomtrium on scanning etc.

I expect your womb was retained because it provides a valuable structural function in the body ie once removed everything can slip down (internal organs)??

You asked how continuous prog keeps the womb thin - this is a different mechanism from taking it cyclically which changes the structure of the lining and allows it to shed once you stop the prog. The precise mechanism escapes me ( have looked it up but can't retain it!) but basically the presence of the progesterone interferes with the ability of the oestrogen to cause the lining to thicken. All to do with the receptors and a particular biochemical pathway as well as the structural cells of the endometrium....

Good luck with your appt and great if you can be referred to the C and W which sounds like a great menopause clinic!

Hurdity x

[kdee69]

Hi there. Thought I'd chip in with my experience. I went to the Newson Clinic ( Louise Newson's practise) yesterday and though incredibly expensive just had got to a point where I needed to hear advice from someone I could trust. My GP has no idea and I wat at the end of my tether. I clearly have some level of Progesterone intolerance and have had migraines for coming up to five years now ( I'm 54 currently)which have steadily gotten worse. I didn't make the connection at first and thought they were sun related, alcohol related, sugar related, dairy. You name it, I suspected it. I've kept food diaries, drink diaries, period diaries. About four year ago other peri symptoms started and I went on Femoston. All symptoms stopped but the ever increasing migraines. They changed my HRT to Elleste Duet and still felt great but no change to migraines. I've had beta blockers, and amitriptyline and topiramate variously to try and stop the migraines before they start. I have seen physios, chiropractors, hypnotherapists and acupuncturists all to no avail. 8 months ago, doctor said I'd probably gone through the menopause now (  ) and to come off HRT. Wow! Welcome to hell. I lasted 7 months without being on HRT. I never knew it could be that bad. Full on meno symptoms. Thanks to this incredible board and all the info from Louise newson's website ( hence in the end why I went to her clinic) I managed to get my GP to prescribe oestrogel and Progesterone. It was a locum who knew nothing about it all so she accidentally prescribed me Destrogestrel as the Progesterone part.
So part 1: within THREE  days of two pumps per day, every symptom had gone INCLUDING migraines. I had been at the point of 4/7 days migraine afflicted. On this combi I have not had a migraine since. It has changed my life.
Part 2: I'm not on a licenced Progesterone. So back I go to the gp with the advice from this website and get the Utrogestan prescribed. Orally. Due to my age and no bleeds I am to take it continuously. I take it first night, feel a bit groggy, every night onward I am wiped out and next day literally cannot move due to worst migraines I have ever experienced. I then stop taking it and go back to Desogestrel.

I feel amazing again.
But there's a big fat elephant 🐘 in the room. I'm not taking the Ustrogesten and have a womb.
So yesterday I make the three hour drive to discuss all this

Here was the advice. As I know I've taken the combined contraceptive pill for most of my adult life migraine free, it doesn't mean that every Progesterone will cause same problems. Plus, I'm advised that the desogestrel, whilst unlicensed does provide Progesterone so this again indicates similar.
They advise me to try one tablet  if Utrogestan every other day vaginally to see how that affects me. If still bad, then she advises the Mirena coil. If that bad, there are other Progesterones that I can try. She did say that the Desogestrel “May” work but it's not licenced so she can't advise me re this.
So I'm going to do this. I'm hanging on for a couple of weeks simply because I have a holiday and can't face anything going t*ts up
The session was fantastic and for the first time in five years I felt heard by a gp and also validated that yep, my migraines ARE to do with my bloody hormones and not with chocolate, wine, dairy or any other number of things.
Happy for anyone to PM me for more info on the clinic.

 

[CLKD]

Back to the chocolate etc. then  and    4 chipping in! Do you have to return to the Clinic or get medication via your GP?  Do you keep a note of symptoms?  Enjoy your holiday!  Let us know how you get on.

[CLKD]

Tc - any improvement?

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi TC- hope you get things sorted. Re the absorption of the oestrogen, has this been borne out by various blood tests at different times? Remember that it'll only be a snapshot at a given point in time. Forgive me, for I've only recently rejoined the forum, so not sure if you've tried Oestrogel. It didn't work for me, neither did continuous Utrogestan ( I felt like a complete and utter nut job on it ). Tried taking it on alternate days. That didn't work either so have used the patches ( Estraderm ) and 200 mcg of vaginal Utrogestan for 10 days each month. It's so so and although womb lining is ok ( borne out by recent scan), something is no longer working ( including me, I had to retire early a few years ago). I'm thinking of trying to stop HRT for the second time, I'm so fed up with it all.

Re your own situation, that is a high dose of oestrogen so maybe you can think of lowering it and switching to cyclical progesterone. Give it a few months to see if any improvement. Longer term maybe a Mirena would suit. Not sure if you'd be a candidate for a Jaydess coil. Contains lower amounts of progesterone. Certainly sounds as if you have a bit of a progesterone intolerance going on. If this is the case, I'd be wary about taking a progesterone based on testosterone . Femeston tablets can be a bit gentler and you can take either continuously or on a cyclical basis.
Unfortunately it's all trial and error but hopefully you'll get a regime that suits you. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

[kdee69]

Back to the chocolate etc. then  and    4 chipping in! Do you have to return to the Clinic or get medication via your GP?  Do you keep a note of symptoms?  Enjoy your holiday!  Let us know how you get on.

I've made an appointment for three months just in case the first or then second option doesn't work. They are more than happy for you to get the medication from your own gp but offer private scripts if you suspect you may come up against a doctor who is unwilling to prescribe or who won't fit the coil etc.
I don't think I'll need to keep a note because I'll either feel completely “normal” -present state or crap -let's hope not future state! I do have my doubts about the vaginal route for Utrogestan but if I don't try it, I'll never know! Feel free to ask any more questions

[Blue Kingfisher]

Jasmine, when you take the 100mg Utrogestan every other day......does this not feel like it's confusing your body? I've just started taking Utrogestan 100mg & I'm only on the second day of dosing & feel shocking & in a coma. I absorb oestrogen poorly through oestrogel. I know I'm hitting the panicked button very quickly but I'm worried about getting worse as the days go on!

[Jasmine_2015]

Hi BK,

For me no I don't feel like it's confusing my body. It's been a positive change for me definitely. I still struggle with it but not nearly as much. That's just my experience so far!