Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: flaxhigh on April 20, 2019, 12:45:35 PM
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Hi Ladies,
I know a few of you have reduced your utrogestan dose by piercing the capsule and squeezing some out.
I am only on 100mg daily vaginally (post meno) but am so drowsy the next day despite taking it earlier and earlier I want to go back and start at a lower dose and build up slowly.
How did you sterilise the needle that pierced your capsule? Don't want to do it by holding under a flame in case tiny bits of soot go into the capsule (don't want to get that up my insides!)
Or will an antiseptic wipe do? Any nurses here who would know?
I'd be super, super gratefu/ for any advice.... :)
Thanks!
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Or try a different progesterone?
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Zapping the needle in the microwave might be safer.
Not a good idea to put a metal object in the microwave, unless you want a nice firework display 🎆
JP x
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Hello flaxhigh.
I was going to suggest passing the needle through a flame but I take your point about not wanting to get anything into the capsule. I have noticed that if I squeeze it before insertion it looks like it's going to crack open but would this leave some sharp edges that could be injurious?
Sorry I can't be of help but you raise a good point so maybe we should all experiment and report back.
Wishing you well.
K.
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Wouldn't having a separate clean needle for specific purpose be enough? I mean, when having sex - men don't sterilize "it" before entering, do they?
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Zapping the needle in the microwave might be safer.
Not a good idea to put a metal object in the microwave, unless you want a nice firework display 🎆
JP x
Eeek - forgot about the metal bit. :-\
I'm just used to putting my eye bag (wheat) in the microwave to warm up it, apparently sterilises everything as well.
I just focussed on the sterilising requirement.
Thankfully Joaniepat is alert and knows which way is up.
Only sometimes Hasty, can't count on it ;D
JP x
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Wouldn't having a separate clean needle for specific purpose be enough? I mean, when having sex - men don't sterilize "it" before entering, do they?
That would be interesting! Boiled or microwaved? 😁
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Ooherr, if you squeeze out some of the active ingredient before inserting :o, how will you be sure you're getting enough - to thin the lining I mean?! Or am I missing something here?! ;D
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Very generous of you Birdy. Mine's a cab sauv ;D
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It's probably best to see if doc can give you a lower dose ,as doing this you can't be sure what dose you're getting and will be different each time .
Pharmacists could advise also I've found a lot of them I've approached very helpful .
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Hello again Ladies.
I believe the Utrogestan capsule is only available in a 100mcg dose. If a 50mcg or 25mcg capsule were available it would be much easier to balance Utrogestan and oestrogen. A gap in the market surely!
Take care everyone.
K.
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Yes Kathleen, you are right. I well understand the desirability of limiting exposure - my body seemed to absolutely hate the stuff. Seems unfortunate to say the least that a lower dose capsule is not available. I was interested in trying alternate day conti use to reduce mine to effectively half, but was put off by a Meno specialist GP who told me I would likely get persistent breakthrough bleeding. Having been investigated for that already, I was keen to avoid more :o.
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I agree with the others - don't pierce the capsule - too much could ooze out. Better to do as suggested by the others and alternate the 100 mg dose but only in conjunction with your doc as you need sufficient to protect your womb lining.
Hurdity x
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Thanks ladies for all your replies.
I took the pouring boiling water over a pin to pierce the capsule route. I squeezed a third out and inserted the capsule vaginally.
I'm seeing Dr Savvas (Prof Studd's colleague) in mid May so will consult with him. I particularly want to ask if it is safe to use vaginally.
But I felt so zonked on a full 100mg that I wanted to build up slowly. I am meaning to do the whole 100mg eventually. But Prof Studd himself suggests taking 3 pumps of oestrogel (equivalent to 3 x 25 mg patches apparently) for 3 months before taking ANY utrogestan. And then taking it for only 7 days a month - that is if you are prei-meno, as I was when I first saw him.
Now I'm post-meno and have to take 100mg every day of the month (according to Dr Currie). However, I'm only on one 25mg evoral patch (hoping to get on more very slowly...) so don't necessarily need the full 100mg quite so urgently - I hope.
I feel less zonked on 2/3rds of the capsule and hopefully over a week of so will squeeze less out and build up to a full pill. It took me 6 months to get onto one 25mg evoral patch. I'm very sensitive to these hormones...
I don't think they do a 50mg utrogestan capsule unfortunately.
I take the point about 100mg every other day, but that's no good for me as that would make me zonked on one day and rather up and down I think hormonally.
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Have you considered a long cycle instead? Just wondered if taking a standard dose for 12 days & having a bleed every 3 months (I think you can stretch it to 3 months?) might suit you better than taking it every day.
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Progesterone cream is not medically advised for the purposes of endometrial protection as it is not a standardised dose and many of the OTC products contain insufficient progesterone. Very frustrating that there are no lower doses!!
Hurdity x