Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Kiwi_ on September 26, 2022, 04:01:18 PM
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Hi there
I’ve been on HRT for 18 mths. Worked my way up to 100mg patches and 100mg Utrogestan (25/3 days) and recently added in Androfem with great results EXCEPT I bleed/have a period every 2 weeks and have done so pretty much since starting HRT. My Gyno wanted me to go on the coil but I am resistant as my anxiety has all but gone and I sleep way better on Utrogestan. I finally feel like my old self. (I’ve had 2 scans and my lining is of normal thickness).
I’ve recently seen an endocrinologist who has suggested I double my Utrogestan to 2 tablets 25 days a month. I can’t find any literature or anyone else on this regime. I’m just so worried about upsetting my levels.
Would love some feedback
Thank you :)
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Hi we’re you post menopausal…12 months without a period before you started the hrt ? x
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Hi Dotty, no peri still having a period every month or so. Now it’s every 2 weeks :/
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Hi if you’re peri then it would be better to take two tablets of Utrogestan on days 15 - 26 of your cycle. x
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Hi there
I’ve been on HRT for 18 mths. Worked my way up to 100mg patches and 100mg Utrogestan (25/3 days) and recently added in Androfem with great results EXCEPT I bleed/have a period every 2 weeks and have done so pretty much since starting HRT. My Gyno wanted me to go on the coil but I am resistant as my anxiety has all but gone and I sleep way better on Utrogestan. I finally feel like my old self. (I’ve had 2 scans and my lining is of normal thickness).
I’ve recently seen an endocrinologist who has suggested I double my Utrogestan to 2 tablets 25 days a month. I can’t find any literature or anyone else on this regime. I’m just so worried about upsetting my levels.
Would love some feedback
Thank you :)
Hi Kiwi,
not exactly the same, but I was taking Utrogestan 200mg continuously (without the 3 days break) for almost a year. For me it worked very well and helped enormously with sleeping. I had initially the usual dose 100mg but as I continued struggling with poor sleep and anxiety, gynae doubled the dose and that gave me solid 8-9 hours sleep and overall helped regaining balance. Over time I started feeling it was a bit 'heavy' and eventually moved back to 100mg dose, which now works well too.
As your endocrinologist has recommended the higher dose, why not give it a try and see how you get on.
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Hi there
I’ve been on HRT for 18 mths. Worked my way up to 100mg patches and 100mg Utrogestan (25/3 days) and recently added in Androfem with great results EXCEPT I bleed/have a period every 2 weeks and have done so pretty much since starting HRT. My Gyno wanted me to go on the coil but I am resistant as my anxiety has all but gone and I sleep way better on Utrogestan. I finally feel like my old self. (I’ve had 2 scans and my lining is of normal thickness).
I’ve recently seen an endocrinologist who has suggested I double my Utrogestan to 2 tablets 25 days a month. I can’t find any literature or anyone else on this regime. I’m just so worried about upsetting my levels.
Would love some feedback
Thank you :)
Hi Kiwi,
not exactly the same, but I was taking Utrogestan 200mg continuously (without the 3 days break) for almost a year. For me it worked very well and helped enormously with sleeping. I had initially the usual dose 100mg but as I continued struggling with poor sleep and anxiety, gynae doubled the dose and that gave me solid 8-9 hours sleep and overall helped regaining balance. Over time I started feeling it was a bit 'heavy' and eventually moved back to 100mg dose, which now works well too.
As your endocrinologist has recommended the higher dose, why not give it a try and see how you get on.
hi ellaAurora
im interested what you said about the utrogestan how when you first started taking utro it affected your sleep etc.
had you considered taking it vaginally xxx
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Hi there
I’ve been on HRT for 18 mths. Worked my way up to 100mg patches and 100mg Utrogestan (25/3 days) and recently added in Androfem with great results EXCEPT I bleed/have a period every 2 weeks and have done so pretty much since starting HRT. My Gyno wanted me to go on the coil but I am resistant as my anxiety has all but gone and I sleep way better on Utrogestan. I finally feel like my old self. (I’ve had 2 scans and my lining is of normal thickness).
I’ve recently seen an endocrinologist who has suggested I double my Utrogestan to 2 tablets 25 days a month. I can’t find any literature or anyone else on this regime. I’m just so worried about upsetting my levels.
Would love some feedback
Thank you :)
Hi Kiwi,
not exactly the same, but I was taking Utrogestan 200mg continuously (without the 3 days break) for almost a year. For me it worked very well and helped enormously with sleeping. I had initially the usual dose 100mg but as I continued struggling with poor sleep and anxiety, gynae doubled the dose and that gave me solid 8-9 hours sleep and overall helped regaining balance. Over time I started feeling it was a bit 'heavy' and eventually moved back to 100mg dose, which now works well too.
As your endocrinologist has recommended the higher dose, why not give it a try and see how you get on.
Thank you you’re the first person I’ve been able to find who taken a double dose orally! Gives me confidence to at least try 😘
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Hi Kiwi, my specialist upped mine to 200 continuous and said orally or vaginally due to bleeding and thickness of lining x
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Hi - the British Menopause Society in its paper on progestogens recommends increasing the progesterone dose if the licensed dose does not protect the lining:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAMQw7AJahcKEwjomsiuwbn6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebms.org.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F10%2F14-BMS-TfC-Progestogens-and-endometrial-protection-01H.pdf&psig=AOvVaw29NmNjxxpxt363sSOxpmyv&ust=1664524027868101
In their summary they say this:
"The dose of the progestogen should be proportionate to the dose of estrogen. Women who require
high dose estrogen intake should consider having their progestogen dose increased to ensure
adequate endometrial protection."
"While no data is
currently available on the endometrial effects of high doses of estrogen and the optimal dose of
oral or vaginal progestogen in this context, women who require high dose estrogen intake should
consider having their progestogen dose increased to ensure adequate endometrial protection (e.g.
micronised progesterone 300 mg for 12 days a month instead of 200 mg in cyclical HRT regimens or
200 mg daily on a continuous basis instead of 100 mg in continuous combined HRT regimens)."
The studies that this statement is based on provide the rationale of the consultants legitimately prescribing increased progesterone doses, though many (most?) GPs are not likely to be aware of this.
Hi if you’re peri then it would be better to take two tablets of Utrogestan on days 15 - 26 of your cycle. x
Ditto Dotty's comment above. If you are still having your own cycle and peri then it's understandable that the 100 mg for 25 days may not be controlling your bleeding and either the double dose for 25 days or 14 days (or a compromoise in between) woud give more protection - and provided there is not abnormal explanation for the additional bleeding (ref scans etc).
Hurdiy x
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Thank you really appreciate the reply x