Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[SallyG]

Yes I have been on those since I went to see Dr Annie 2 weeks ago - She was so brill. I felt better immediately I have to say, although I am still on citilapran for anxiety. But I still feel anxious at times when I think about my boss and the workplace.xx

[Hurdity]

Hi SallyG - do you mean that you are on Androfemme? If so would love to hear how it makes you feel - but maybe you won't be able to distiguish between its effects and the oestrogen though if you started it all at the same time?

Hurdity x

[SallyG]

Hi Hurdity - no I meant the Utrogestan/and estrogel.
I do feel better bt I seriously need to build up my physical strength.

Thank you for all of your wise posts.

Sallyxxx

[curlywurly]

Ditto re:  wise posts thanks Hurdity! 

Re:  Androfeme the website I first saw it on is http://www.lawleypharm.com.au if this is any use at all?  It does have a list of things it is supposed to help with. 

Early days for me yet and it is hard to say if it is working as I had to go back on anti-d's.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks again

CW
 

[jedigirl]

Hi all,
I am starting this regime tonight and wonder if it best to use the gel and Utrogestan at the same time? Also has anyone any tips for applying the gel for best absorption.
I also notice that you have to take Utrogestan on an empty stomach. Would that include a milky bedtime drink do you think? I usually have a drink before sleeping to keep my calories up as lost alot of weight.
Sorry if these are obvious questions,
Thanks

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Jedigirl
You can use the Oestrogel either morning or evening but it must be on clean dry skin without any moisturiser or having used moisturising shower gels etc. you mustn't wash the area for at least 2 hours after applying the gel -  I always use a simple unscented vegetable soap when I shower for this reason. I've always applied it to my inner thighs as it's a bigger area and easier to apply - I never liked applying the gel to my upper arms as I felt it might get onto my breasts which, rightly or wrongly, I felt was not good.

The Utrogestan must be taken on an empty stomach so at least 2 hours after food.  A milky drink would count as food I'm afraid so if you want a milky drink before bed you could have your supper around 7pm and take the Utrogestan around 9.30pm and then a milky drink at around 11pm before bed.
You may find your appetite improves with this regime anyway and perhaps a good snack at around 4pm and then supper at 7.30-8pm might be a better option so you can take the Utrogestan at 10-10.30pm before bed. If keeping your weight up is an issue for you then I'd try to have more small meals throughout the day.  You will probably sleep better on the Utrogestan anyway  - a big bowl of porridge first thing in the morning would get you off to a good start - I always think breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
If you are taking this regime continuously then you will be taking both everyday - you don't need to use at the same time so you could apply the gel in the morning if you want. If you are using this regime in a sequi regime then you will start with the Oestogel alone and then add the progesterone in about 14 days.
Good luck  DG x

[jedigirl]

Thanks DG,
I am taking the Utrogestan days 1-25 so will be using it straight away.
I try to eat regularly but teach support groups in a school so not always possible! It's the anxiety that keeps my weight down i think, it always puts me off food.
A question i never thought of, on the three days i stop taking Utrogestan I presume i keep up the Estrogel?
Thanks for the reply.

[Cassie]

You do not ever stop the gel, use it daily. You can also use the Utrogestan vaginally if it suits you better, just mentioning that is the way I use it, works better for me in that respect.

[donnacrichton]

Hi due to see consultant in Wednesday still having problems. Have reduced estrogel to 3 pumps and 1/2. I've been taking 2 in the morning and 1 1/2 at night. Anxiety has reduced fair bit but teary with burning shoulders.I don't understand how U was getting relief on 5 pumps then levels went so high. How long does it take dosage to get to maximum level. I have had my ovaries shut down so I have none of my own estrogen. I thought this would mean a stable dose but seem to still be fluctuating?

[lizziejt]

Hi, I am new here although have had lots of useful advice from this website! I would be really grateful for some advice. I was on Femoston on 1/10 but had lots of migraines and was also worried about risk of blood clots, so in December I asked my doctor for estrogel and utrogestan. I am taking the utrogestan continuously as I was already on Femoston on for 4 years. The thing is that I have broken out in terrible spots! It's really depressing... also am having some mood swings. Can anyone suggest an alternative? I would prefer not to take oral estrogen but I can't live with this acne at 51! Thanks 

[Dancinggirl]

Maybe use the Utrogestan on a sequential basis - perhaps any continuous progesterone will have this effect on you.  I have always found HRY makes my skin better - I did get acne with Tibolone but this type of HRT is known to give this problem.
I am 58 and I using Oestrogel/Utrogestan sequentially.  DG x

[lizziejt]

Thanks Dancinggirl - the thing is if you get migraines it's usually better to take progesterone continuously as far as I know.... Can anyone else suggest a different regime? I look awful 

[Hurdity]

Hi lizziejt

 

I agree with Dancinggirl that maybe the progesterone is giving you acne? Although it is the least androgenic of the progestogens (ie the least like testosterone and therefore supposedly the least likely to cause male-type symptoms such as hair loss & acne), it is listed as one of the possible side effects so perhaps you are unlucky.

How long have you been on the new regime and how much oestrogel are you using? If you are having moodswings then it sounds like you are not yet at menopause because once you have had your last period, oestrogen levels graudally decline over the next couple of years but the hormone levels do not fluctuate as they did when in peri-menopause.

If that is the case then you could be better off maintaining a cycle as Dancinggirl suggests, and taking utrogestan sequentially. Oral HRT is more likely to exacerbate migraines. When did you used to get the migraines - during most of the combi phase (the second half of the cycle) or after you'd finished the progesterone phase and just before or around the time of your bleed?

It may well be that you don't get migraines at all on this regime.

Hurdity x

[lizziejt]

Hi Hurdity, thanks for replying. I think I used to get migraines mostly a few days before my period on the oral HRT or around the changeover to the progestogen phase. I've only been on the estrogel/utro regine for a couple of months and am using just under 2 pumps of estro with 100mg of utro. If I change to sequential would 100mg be enough do you think? If so I will definitely try this to see if my acne decreases...

[jedigirl]

Hi all,
I'm finding this regime 1-25 days Utrogestan and 2 pumps estrogel suits me well apart from anxiety symptoms. I wake early, feel tense and headachy, have negative thoughts. It calms through the day once i get on with things but am wondering whether an extra pump of gel on an evening would help or wait a while to have longer on this regime?