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Author Topic: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood  (Read 577 times)

Hannah50

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Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« on: March 31, 2025, 09:32:24 AM »

Hi, I tried utrogestan 100mg per night for 4 months, as my mirena is almost at 5 years and I was hoping not to have to have another. For the whole 4 months that I took utrogestan I felt like I was under a dark cloud. Not really low but almost unable to feel positive, I kept thinking each week will get better but it didn't. The one great effect of utrogestan however, was that I slept well every night - and after a month or so I didn't even need to get up for a wee, which I've had to do for years! So I was reluctant to stop, but felt like I needed to see if my mood could recover. About 2-3 days after stopping, I felt my mood lift and I genuinely feel brighter now. But at the same time my night time need to wee returned, along with very frequent insomnia!! It's hard weighing up which is worse - insomnia or low mood but I think improving my mood is more important. So now I need to find a way to stop my insomnia and subsequent exhaustion - it's often at 3am when I wake for a wee then anxious thoughts creeps in and my brain is wide awake. I currently use 75mg Evorel patches and have mirena which is due for a change. I'm 50 and still have the odd light cycle. Any tips very welcome. Many thanks
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CLKD

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Re: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2025, 12:22:20 PM »

 :welcomemm:  Hannah.  Can't help with the HRT regime but didn't want to read and run.

Do U keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress?
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sheila99

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Re: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2025, 01:09:52 PM »

Do you have other uncontrolled meno symptoms? My insomnia was oestrogen deficiency. Is it possible the needing to wee is VA?
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bombsh3ll

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Re: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2025, 01:11:16 PM »

If you will be replacing the mirena then there is no need to take additional progesterone.

There are other treatments specifically for insomnia, it isn't worth using micronised progesterone just for this if it is impacting you negatively in other ways.

I take a low dose of mirtazapine off label for chronic insomnia, which works well.

I would suggest speaking to your GP about other options.

Alternatively you could try using the micronised progesterone on an as required basis when you really need a good sleep - that way it may not impact your mood in the same way.

Anecdotally, some people find that adding testosterone has a positive impact on mood and makes progesterone easier to tolerate.
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Hannah50

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Re: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2025, 02:33:39 PM »

Thanks for the replies. I do keep note of my symptoms on a calendar - so can be pretty sure the dark cloud was caused by progesterone. I am tempted by the idea of taking it occasionally to try and get a solid sleep, and I'll look into the mirtazepine. I think I'm going to ask to go up to 100mcg oestrogen too. Has anyone tried using anti histamines regularly for sleep? I end up taking co-codamol sometimes, just to try and relax my body enough to drift off and stay asleep but I doubt it's a good idea to take that regularly. I get irritable hot feet too which doesn't help!
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bombsh3ll

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Re: Frequent insomnia now stopped utrogestan due to low mood
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2025, 04:50:30 PM »

Please don't take sedating antihistamines - they increase the risk of dementia and really shouldn't be used for this purpose.
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