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[Bo]

Hi Everyone
This is an update to my previous post on using Utro 100mg vaginally every other day (eod). The old post is here https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,40083.0.html

I reduced the Utro to eod (vaginally) back in June (18th), increased the oestrogen patches from 62.5mcg to 75mcg a few days later and felt good, very good, for a while. The really bad breast soreness eased within a few days especially at the sides below my armpits (it was really bad there), my mood lifted, vaginal atrophy improved, flushes almost completely eliminated, and energy returned. I am still on 75mcg Evorel (oestrogen only) patches which almost completely control my flushes, I may just get an occasional 'warming' if my system is upset by something else.

HOWEVER, I got flu and laryngitis on the 20th July, had to take 12 days off work (I don't get colds/flu often but if I do, I don't normally need to take more than a week off if it's flu) and even though my voice is recovered etc, I have not felt like doing anything that I would usually enjoy (tennis, socialising, work (which I like)). Also, my breast soreness is worse again (it never went away completely but it eased), and my energy levels are poor. This is how I felt before I reduced the Utro from daily to eod. So now I am wondering if this is more to do with my system getting used to the extra oestrogen and then reacting negatively to the Utro again, rather than still suffering from the after-effects of the flu. I don't usually feel 'depressed' after a cold or flu - usually I can't wait to get back to my sport etc.

I have also noticed that the Conti patch has much less progesterone in it than we are 'meant' to take when using separately: "Each Evorel Conti patch delivers 50 micrograms of estradiol and 170 micrograms of norethisterone acetate a day". 170mcg is a lot less (relative to the oestrogen) than the 100mg per day of Utro which the menopause clinic doc said I should take. Does anyone know why this is?

I have looked up the French research and have seen that they used 45mg of progesterone gel vaginally twice a week and the participants were fine in terms of their uterine lining etc.

Does anyone use this regimen -continuous patches and Utro vaginally twice a week or every third day? I have decided to give it a go (starting now) but just wondering if anyone else does this.

Thanks everyone 

[racjen]

I'm not an expert on this, but I know that you can't just compare synthetic progestins and utrogestan like for like in terms of dosage - the nature of the synthetic ones is such that a lot less is needed to have the same effect. Hopefully someone who knows about this in more detail will be able to explain better than me!

[Dotty]

Hi racjen is right... you can't compare the two different progesterones x

[Bo]

OK thanks for the info on natural v synthetic prog. Makes sense.

Anyone on the twice weekly Utro vaginally regimen? 

[racjen]

I tried doing it alternate days and it was awful - constant bleeding and like I was in progesterone withdrawal all the time. I'm on Evorel 100 so maybe my estrogen level is just too high for this method. There is someone else on here doing it alternate days, possibly every third day but can't remember who it is - sorry x

[SueLW]

Me!  I'm every other day.

I don't think I have any issues with the Utrogestan this way.  I am having lots of issues in general, but they could be down to the switch to Estrogel 2 pumps when the compounded cream I had been using or 3 years stopped working and I had levels less than 44.  And the fact that I'm in the process of raising thyroid meds too.  The progesterone part seems to be problem-free I think.

[matildamouse]

I am on Estradot 50mcg and 3x a week ( mo, wed and fri) vaginal progesterone 100mg for last 4 years. Recent scan showed no issues and Dr was happy.

I plan to soon increase to 75mcg Estradot as I struggle with sleep and will then also increase my progesterone to alternative nights.

Good luck! It is such trial and error...

[Bo]

Thank you. I don't think I could take 100mg Utro being that 50mg already gives me lots of problems...27/8: What am i saying? I AM on 100mg Utro.  That was wishful thinking I think when I said I was on 50mg, also i was thinking of the French regimen of 45mg twice weekly. I have amended my original post 

I have also realised, now the temperatures have dropped back down to 'normal', that I am having mild to moderate flushes during the day again and have been for a while (I thought it was the heatwave!). Being on 75mcg Evorel had eliminated the flushes during the day, at least for a while. But not now. So it looks like I may have to increase my oestrogen again 

Does anyone know what the average/common dose of oestrogen is?