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[Clovie]

Perhaps someone could write to Dr Currie?

She's based in Dumfries & Galloway and would surely know the ins and outs of Scottish Utro prescribing.

Good idea!  I'll see how I get on when I see my Gp first!

[Hurdity]

Are you sure it isn't Norethisterone, as that has been reported as not being recommended,if the letter said Utrogestan it is strange that no one else has been told  the same
I thought it had been recommended instead of norethisterone

jaycee the general consensus now amongst the menopause specialists is that the body-identical progestogen ( ie progesterone) is preferable biologically and in relation to some side effects and some health risks. However norethisterone is not licensed for separate use as part of HRT (for some bizarre reason as it is very effective in protcting the womb lining!) but only as part of combi products.

It is interesting that the Chelsea and Westminster show only this (norethisterone) and not Provera as the synthetic progestogen of choice for separate oestrogen and progestogen HRT (I read a link sonmewhere...) - but they are a specialist clinic.

Incidentally there are no guidelines that say norethisterone containing HRT should not be recommended - they would be taken off the market if it was not safe to use.

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Thanks Clovie - all good and good luck with your doc!

Hurdity x

[jaycee]

The problem is in my view that most of the patch HRT has norethisterone in them, and many women have had bad side effects from it,
As you will know,i have had bad hair loss from Evoral Conti, so has my daughter, and i have read of others with the same problem and some with heavy bleeding, that didn't happen to me thank goodness,
I wish Evoral Conti had suited me, as it gave me a real boost of energy, but i also had diarrhea for several days on it and stomach cramps
Isn't Norethisterone what women are given to stop periods or something as a single pill.? maybe that is what is not being advised to use it as, but just as bad in patches i think

[Clovie]

I certainly have awful awful side effects with synthetic progs
I cannot function, my life is a misery whilst on them. I feel extremely depressed and anxious, cannot sleep and am tearful and paranoid.  My husband was actually very very worried about me.

If they take this off me I will go to the highrest authority.
Im afraid they will say to come off HRT altogether.


What are my options?
Can I go to a private clinic and have Utrogestan prescribed? But why should I?   It is working fine! No spotting, makes me feel OKAY, not brilliant but much better than the synthetic options.

Sorry for being so dramatic But I have to get my head round having a big operation in 6 weeks time (I'll need to stop HRT temporarily in 2 weeks anyway) and this is so unfair to land me with this stress at this time when the doctor KNOWS how anxious I am!  

[Mary G]

Clovie, are you - or do you know anyone else - visiting Spain in the foreseeable future?  You could ask them to buy you a year's supply.  Alternatively, do you know anyone in Spain who could buy it and post it to you?

In Spain Utrogestan is cheap and readily available, same goes for norethisterone if anyone is interested.

[Clovie]

Clovie, are you - or do you know anyone else - visiting Spain in the foreseeable future?  You could ask them to buy you a year's supply.  Alternatively, do you know anyone in Spain who could buy it and post it to you?

In Spain Utrogestan is cheap and readily available, same goes for norethisterone if anyone is interested.

Oooh really? That is SO useful to know thanks!
Well, I'd have no problem getting it from abroad - however how would that work with my GP I wonder?
Wonder how I'd get the estrogel? 
I'm sure she wouldn't prescribe the gel on it's own?

[KiltedCupid]

Clovie - just take whatever she suggests, stash it and continue with your Utro as normal.  You never know, you might use it one day and if you can't get what's considered the most natural form of prog from your nhs doc then why should you suffer? I'm convinced it's all cost related but not entirely convinced it won't be available in Scotland. As I said before, it hasn't been mentioned to me and it's on my repeats. I also live in Scotland.

Let us know what your doc says please.

[Clovie]

Clovie - just take whatever she suggests, stash it and continue with your Utro as normal.  You never know, you might use it one day and if you can't get what's considered the most natural form of prog from your nhs doc then why should you suffer? I'm convinced it's all cost related but not entirely convinced it won't be available in Scotland. As I said before, it hasn't been mentioned to me and it's on my repeats. I also live in Scotland.

Let us know what your doc says please.

Thank you KiltedCupid, and I will let you know how it goes. 
I fully intend to ask her to produce links to the actual recommendation and for what exact reason (other than the fact that on NICE website  Utrogestan = c£21 and Norethisterone = £2.57).

I'm beyond annoyed at this I really am.

 

[Mary G]

Clovie, I agree, take the prescription from your doctor to get the gel and either leave out the synthetic progesterone part of the prescription if that is possible or just take it and sit on it.   Am I right in thinking prescriptions are free in Scotland?

Do what you have to but don't suffer, you have been put in this position through no fault of your own and it is your right and your privilege to take responsibility for obtaining Utrogestan if you choose to.

[Maryjane]

Utrogestin £21.00 ? It costs less than £10.00 on a private prescription?

Dr Currie prescribes utrogestan ( or did a couple of months ago when I asked her )

[Maryjane]

Just looked it up 21p per pill
 Private online pharmacy 😊

[Clovie]

Utrogestin £21.00 ? It costs less than £10.00 on a private prescription?

Dr Currie prescribes utrogestan ( or did a couple of months ago when I asked her )

Thanks Mary, so does Dr Currie do private appointments?
If so I'd love to have a private appointment!

I've not researched it at all in any great detail, these are the pages I've got my first (rudimentary I admit) research from these links (Apologies if I'm posting links I ought not to!)

200mg Utrogestan = https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-forms/progesterone.html
Norethisterone tablets  = https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-forms/norethisterone.html

Even at first glance there appears to be some kind of financial implication

[Maryjane]

I was looking at 100mg price wise at 21p.

I was at a menopause event and she was a speaker and I asked her and yes she prescribes on the NHS I don't “think” she does private practice

[Clovie]

I was looking at 100mg price wise at 21p.

I was at a menopause event and she was a speaker and I asked her and yes she prescribes on the NHS I don't “think” she does private practice

Ahhh shame
Wonder if she'd advise on Scotland's recommendations or otherwise for Utrogestan?