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[NikkiLM]

I've been on cyclical Sandrena estrogen and Utrogestan progesterone for around a year now, and since day one I've had terrible cramping and digestive issues during the 12 days I'm using the Utrogestan.

A few months ago I spoke to my GP about taking it vaginally, as I thought this would help ease the cramping and gut issues. I've taken 2 capsules vaginally on days 12-26 for the last 3 months (as advised by GP), and hilst the cramps and other issues have eased, I've had thrush every month since using it this way.

I'm wondering if anyone that suffers from progesterone intolerance has found an alternative body identical progesterone that they can tolerate? I've read about cyclogest, but I don't know how easy it is to get this prescribed as HRT. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks 😊

[Garnet161]

I am using topical Emerita Pro-Gest.  It is fine as long as I only use it on days 12-25 or so.  It is well tolerated and easy to use plus available from iHerb without a prescription.

[Gilla999]

I use Cyclogest - I had to get it prescribed by either a private meno doctor or my NHS menopause doctor, but once they wrote to the GP saying they had prescribed it, it was fine to get it from GP ongoing. I've never had thrush issues with Utrogestan so can't comment on whether one is better than the other, but worth a try? I do find Cyclogest less messy than Utrogestan, so maybe it could help. If you explain the issue to your GP they may be able to prescribe Cyclogest themselves.

I also use / have used BHRT Progesterone cream and lozenges to top up the Cyclogest, but these shouldn't be used in place of either Utrogestan or Cyclogest (and definitely not Pro Gest cream) unless under strict supervision from a specialist. There isn't enough protection to the endometrial lining from using cream alone (or at least not enough data to back it up)

[sheila99]

My gp won't prescribe cyclogest because it isn't on the list but worth asking as some will. The thrush may well be va starting, I had the same issue after using it successfully for some years. I changed to using it rectally which is very much off licence but did produce a good bleed.

[Mary G]

NikkiLM, I have used Cyclogest and find it very easy to tolerate so it's definitely worth a try.

I am using topical Emerita Pro-Gest.  It is fine as long as I only use it on days 12-25 or so.  It is well tolerated and easy to use plus available from iHerb without a prescription.

That sounds like an interesting product and very similar to my progesterone gel. 

What dose do you take and are you using it for endometrial protection?

[Garnet161]

Hi, I use the ProGest progesterone cream alongside the BiEstro estriol/estradiol cream for endometrial protection as directed.  The dosage is a dime/5c piece blob of cream on the inner arms/legs/thighs.  The cream was formulated back in the 70s by Dr Lee - his book about balancing hormones throughout menopause makes for interesting reading.
I have found however, that I cannot tolerate the progesterone cream during what would have been my period (I'm 16 months post menopause) but I still have some fluctuations from Day 1 - Day 12 or so which in turn means the progesterone can make me feel really odd - agitation, mood swings, tearful crying and can increase my VA symptoms.  The cream is good from around day 12 to day 26 or so with the BiEstro for hot flushes.  I'm still working out a routine as I use Ovestin estriol for VA each day.

[Mary G]

Garnet161, thanks for the info, it sounds like your progesterone cream is similar to my progesterone gel.

In theory, we are told transdermal progesterone doesn't protect the womb but I have found that it does in practice.  I use a daily dose of about 50mg and having taken a brief look at your cream, it would seem you are taking a similar dose.  I find transdermal progesterone very easy to tolerate.