Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Glam-ma on April 09, 2021, 04:16:02 PM
-
Advice please. I'm 53 been menopausl for 4 to 5 years. (No periods for 4 years)
I'm trying to start HRT, been prescribed estrogel and utrogestan, I've heard you can use utrogestan internally?
My gp says No it can causes cancer using it that way and it's not licenced to use that way. I know it is not licenced to use like this BUT I don't want any side effects from the utrogestan....
I suffer anxiety and over think everything, I'm sick of feeling rubbish . Hot flushes, night sweats, anger, etc.
Any advice on how to use internally and at what dose . If I take orally it's daily for 25 days, 1 tablet a day 100 mg.
Thank you 😊
-
Your gp is right it isn't licensed for vaginal use in the UK but it is in the rest of Europe. She's wrong about the cancer. Push it up as far as you can just before you go to bed. The manufacturer thinks it should be the same dose, newsonhealth thinks you can halve it (so every other day if conti).
-
Your gp is right it isn't licensed for vaginal use in the UK but it is in the rest of Europe. She's wrong about the cancer. Push it up as far as you can just before you go to bed. The manufacturer thinks it should be the same dose, newsonhealth thinks you can halve it (so every other day if conti).
Thank you for relying, ;)
I've been worrying about this for weeks. So i can use the progesterone every other night.? I would prefer this.
Should I use the estrogel at night?
X
-
I've just started on this combination too! I've to use 2 pumps estrogen either at night or in the morning and I was given 100mg utrogestan to take every night. I asked my GP if I could use it vaginally as I wanted to avoid any possible stomach upset. She said it's not licensed but if I want to then just use 100mg every second day. I too haven't had a period for 4 years. Were you advised to use the utrogestan but have a break? I've to take it continuously?
-
Hi
I was told to use it for 25 days, but not internally! My gp will not recognise this way of using it.
If I use internally should I be having a scan done after 6 months etc. Gosh it come to something when you have to get medical help from a forum.... Not sure what's going on with Gp at the moment!!
-
Mine never mentioned scans, just a review in 3 months.
You'd think that all gp's would give the same advice, especially seeing as we're similar ages, I'm 50, but my period stopped around 4 or 5 years ago too.
I haven't started the utrogestan yet, think I'll give it a go tonight 🙄
-
You're unlikely to get a routine scan on the nhs, usually only for unexpected bleeding etc. You can arrange your own privately if you're worried. This is the thing that bothers me about the newsonhealth advice to halve the dose if used vaginally. She treats people privately so presumably they have scans. The manufacturer says the same dose as oral and you would expect them to have done more thorough testing. Maybe there are a few people who need the higher dose to keep the lining thin. Or maybe not, I don't know.
-
Sheila99 I have considered lowering my dose of cyclogest, but like you mentioned I need to know how that effects the womb lining. How often do you think women have scans when they are on private regimes? I tend to think once a year isn't enough?
-
I get mine on the nhs so I don't know. Maybe after the first 6 months then annually if no thickening found? But I'm guessing. On low dose oestrogen the reduced progesterone dose is probably safe but the higher the dose the greater the need to check.
-
Mine never mentioned scans, just a review in 3 months.
You'd think that all gp's would give the same advice, especially seeing as we're similar ages, I'm 50, but my period stopped around 4 or 5 years ago too.
I haven't started the utrogestan yet, think I'll give it a go tonight 🙄
Have you been using estrogel?
No mine never mentioned it either but I think if you go private then you get scanned,
So should I use internally for 25 days or every other day ?
-
I've just started on this combination too! I've to use 2 pumps estrogen either at night or in the morning and I was given 100mg utrogestan to take every night. I asked my GP if I could use it vaginally as I wanted to avoid any possible stomach upset. She said it's not licensed but if I want to then just use 100mg every second day. I too haven't had a period for 4 years. Were you advised to use the utrogestan but have a break? I've to take it continuously?
Perfect, I think I'll use internally every other day. I'm gonna start tomorrow night.
I'll use a pump of estrogel am then this pm.
Thank you xx
-
How did you get on? I haven't started it yet, I've got my second covid vaccine next Tuesday so I'm going to wait until after that so that I know if I get side effects from the vaccine or the utrogestan!
-
How did you get on? I haven't started it yet, I've got my second covid vaccine next Tuesday so I'm going to wait until after that so that I know if I get side effects from the vaccine or the utrogestan!
I've not started this yet!. Xx
-
I have been using oestrogel and utrogestan for many years this way, using the utro as a pessary on alternate nights. I recently had to have a hysteroscopy following an unrelated cyst and polyp investigation and the womb lining a little thicker than normal for post-meno. I asked the consultant if I should increase the utro in the light of this and he said the aim was not to get the lining thinner, but to check that all was well - which thankfully it was. I have been wondering recently about swapping to patches because of the faff of waiting for the gel to dry every morning but I believe utrogestan is meant to be the most natural form of progesterone so I am now leaning towards the old adage of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it as up to now the regime has served me well.
-
lizzieb60
have you had hair shedding on this combination ?? estrogel and utrogestan
i was on this and suffered hair shedding 2 years
i’ve changed to a patch but i don’t think it’s working as well as have flushes now
-
Sammiejane I can’t say that I have noticed any shedding and I’m pretty sure I would have. Not sure I’ve heard of this as a side effect.
-
Hi lizzieb60
Could I ask how much Oestrogel you are using? Do you get any side effects at all with the Utrogestan vaginally alternative nights?
I would very much agree with your 'if it aint broke don't fix it' - I recently switched hrt and now reverted back and it's taking a long time to re-settle! Mainly mood swings which I wasn't getting before, so feel I haven't found the right balance again yet!
Thank you xx
-
Hi CherryC. I don’t actually think I have any side effects with Utro used vaginally. Due to no gall bladder I take as little as I can get away with orally, medication wise to keep any digestion issues at bay. I use between two to three pumps of oestrogel daily. When I have lessened this dose for a few days; just to test the water as I have been on it a long time, I get incredibly ‘flat’ so I do think I have the balance more or less correct. I have never discussed with my GP as to how I use the Utro as I don’t want to put her in the position of having to refuse to prescribe. My last hysteroscopy seemed to indicate all was well.
-
Hi Lizzie60, thank you, that's good to hear! As I mentioned, I have reverted back to gel and utrogestan vaginally continuous every night (which I had previously been on for well over a year with no side effects), but after a few months on Evorel Conti which didn't work out, I have reverted back. For some reason I am now getting mood swings/pmt (definitely hormonal) and I can't understand why. It's 2 months since I stopped the Evorel Conti and reverted back so would have thought I should have re-settled by now. Don't suppose there could still be some of the Evorel Conti still swilling around in my body, surely must have gone by now?
Maybe it's just going to take longer - I feel it's the Utrogestan so may try every other night (will check with consultant) and get regular scans.
Great that you found a routine to suit you so well!
-
I would be interested to know wha your consultant says about alternate nights. I have never been given dosage instructions from either my current GP or previous one. In fact I originally had to advise my GP that she was actually able to prescribe oestrogel. She checked it out in her little book and she took the dosage info from a printout I had taken from the internet. Possibly MM.
-
Lizzie60 - my appointment with the consultant (telephone) was meant to be tomorrow but has now been cancelled by her and changed to later in May! Will try and remember to report back on the every other night question.