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[Katherine]

Hi ladies,

I’ve been taking utrogestan vaginally for about 3 weeks along with 2 pumps oestrogel. Previously I was taking utrogestan orally (I take 100mg per night and 2 pumps gel per day) as I thought it was causing my breathing problems at night. I’ve since realised that it’s not the utrogestan causing the breathing problems, I don’t think so anyway.

Anyway in the  last week I’ve had an awful tired but wired feeling, like I’m holding my breath, finding it very hard to sleep even though I’m exhausted. I think it’s because I’ve been absorbing less utrogestan while taking it vaginally and so I think my oestrogen levels are too high compared to my progesterone levels. I’m also in the part of my cycle when my own oestrogen is at its highest.

I’m now worried that if I haven’t been absorbing as much utrogestan that my womb hasn’t been protected. Is 3 weeks enough for your womb lining to thicken? Does anyone think my theories are correct? Any thoughts gratefully received.

Edit: I’ve done some research and I think it’s oestrogen dominance due to changing how I take utrogestan. I took utrogestan orally before bed this evening and within half an hour felt a bit calmer but I’m lying in bed at 3am wide awake feeling nauseous very tired very wired and never felt  like this. Does anyone have any tips on what to do or take to sleep? I’m thinking of trying a drowsy antihistamine. This is just horrible.

[Penguin]

I don't know the answer to your question re womb protection but just wanted to say i hope you managed to get some sleep and feel okay today. I get that tired wired feeling when estrogen peaking, but also when coming to the end of the utrogestan stage and its horrible. I've just ordered a Biocare (great brand) supplement called Calm Complex which contains things like l-theanine etc, which work on the GABA receptors and, from my understanding, should help bring on the sedative type effect of utrogestan that I seem to lose when I stop taking it on day 26.
 I can't say if it works yet but I used to use the old version of the supplement called NT188 before hrt and it was wonderful. If it is any good I will let you know as I'll be trying it tonight. Biocare have a great product helpline which I've often used in the past so they may be able to suggest something to help.

[sheila99]

More is supposed to get to the uterus when you take it vaginally so I don't think you need to worry about that. I find vaginally it disrupts sleep. Orally I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it helps my sleep but it certainly doesn't disrupt it as much.

[Hurdity]

Ditto what Sheila said. Your womb is likely to be protected on that dose - 100 mg daily is the licensed dose when taken continuously. As well as more getting to the womb where it is needed when taken vaginally, there are more of various metabolites  produced when taken orally which most often have adverse side effects for sensitive women, hence vaginal use. . Progesterone has a huge sedative effect especially when taken in the doses needed for womb protection as part of hRT. I am constantly fatigued when taking utro and have only ever used it vaginally. I also sleep less well and need to get up in the night to empty bladder when on the prog stage. Don't get hung up on the idea of oestrogen dominance. This is not likely to be an issue.

If you're still on a cycle is there a reason why you are taking progesterone continuously? Ideally unless medically advised, if you haven't reached menppause then it is generally taken cyclically.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hurdity x

[Katherine]

Thanks ladies for your replies. My period has started now, it’s 1.5 weeks early, this has never happened before and it’s freaking me out. I have a gp appointment soon which I’m glad of as I can ask her. I took a drowsy antihistamine and utrogestan orally last night and slept 12 hours which is a relief. I still feel on edge and not quite myself but hopefully if I just go back to my old regime with 2 pumps gel and oral utrogestan 25 days a month I’ll be ok. It was my gp who told me to take utrogestan continuously and she knows I have regular periods, she said it will help my sleep. Everything my GPs have said has turned out to be true. I just hope everything goes back to normal. I really appreciate all your replies.

[Katherine]

I don't know the answer to your question re womb protection but just wanted to say i hope you managed to get some sleep and feel okay today. I get that tired wired feeling when estrogen peaking, but also when coming to the end of the utrogestan stage and its horrible. I've just ordered a Biocare (great brand) supplement called Calm Complex which contains things like l-theanine etc, which work on the GABA receptors and, from my understanding, should help bring on the sedative type effect of utrogestan that I seem to lose when I stop taking it on day 26.
 I can't say if it works yet but I used to use the old version of the supplement called NT188 before hrt and it was wonderful. If it is any good I will let you know as I'll be trying it tonight. Biocare have a great product helpline which I've often used in the past so they may be able to suggest something to help.

Penguin thanks so much I will look into the supplement you recommended x

[Katherine]

More is supposed to get to the uterus when you take it vaginally so I don't think you need to worry about that. I find vaginally it disrupts sleep. Orally I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it helps my sleep but it certainly doesn't disrupt it as much.

Thanks Sheila for sharing x

[Katherine]

Ditto what Sheila said. Your womb is likely to be protected on that dose - 100 mg daily is the licensed dose when taken continuously. As well as more getting to the womb where it is needed when taken vaginally, there are more of various metabolites  produced when taken orally which most often have adverse side effects for sensitive women, hence vaginal use. . Progesterone has a huge sedative effect especially when taken in the doses needed for womb protection as part of hRT. I am constantly fatigued when taking utro and have only ever used it vaginally. I also sleep less well and need to get up in the night to empty bladder when on the prog stage. Don't get hung up on the idea of oestrogen dominance. This is not likely to be an issue.

If you're still on a cycle is there a reason why you are taking progesterone continuously? Ideally unless medically advised, if you haven't reached menppause then it is generally taken cyclically.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hurdity x

Thanks Hurdity, my gp advised me to take utrogestan continuously to help me sleep. For now I’ve just stopped taking the gel and I’m taking utrogestan orally again so hopefully that will solve it. I’m just hoping this ‘period’ I’m having doesn’t get heavy.

[Katherine]

I’m still bleeding and have cramps. Does this count as a period and will my next one come at the normal time does anyone know?

[Katherine]

I’m bumping this up as I’ve never bled between periods and I’m worried, does anyone think the switch from oral to vaginal utrogestan caused this, as nothing else has changed. Or could it be the utro has irritated my vagina. I’m at a loss.

[Ermin2trude]

Hello,

I tried utrogestan vaginally a while back and started having 2 bleeds a month. The first bleed about 2 weeks into my cycle was heavy and a proper period. The second bleed at the end of the cycle was very light. It also irritated my bladder so I went to the loo a lot in the night. Overall it wasn’t a success. I went back to taking it orally and normal life and monthly cycle resumed.

I can’t explain why it happened and my menopause specialist didn’t seem bothered by it.

[Katherine]

Thanks Ermin2trude.