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[Hurdity]

Hello girls! I haven’t forgotten about you all but I’ve been sooo busy, and I’m really out of touch but I thought some of you might be interested in this update on my HRT, as I recently renewed my prescription with my local GP practice.

1   Evorel 75 mcg  - continuing as before. I cut a bit off to make it approx. 62.5 mcg but I feel (for various reasons) it gives me more oestrogen than the Estradot I used for years until about 3 years ago.

2   Progesterone – Utrogestan 200 mg (2 x 100 mg) for approx. 12 days vaginally per 5/6 week cycle. Following thickening of my womb lining I was advised to take this on a 28 day cycle, but I cant bring myself to do this so I have reduced to approx. 5 weeks. In addition I requested to be prescribed the 200 mg vaginal capsules ( same as the oral ones in formulation and structure – and which used to be licensed also for HRT but packaged as oral ones) instead of 2 x 100 mg in case this made a difference re lining.  This was approved and I have yet to start these. Will report back later

3   Vagifem – this has been changed to Vagirux but I don’t envisage any difference because as far as I can make out the actual formulation is exactly the same ( as well as the oestrogen content)

4   Gynest cream – generic estriol 0.01% cream prescribed for external use and on tampons during bleeds  - continues to be prescribed

5   Testosterone – as I used up the last of my Testim 1 % sachets, I requested replacement with a 1 % gel so this has been replaced by Testim. Since we have to use products designed for men when getting T on the NHS, I would always request as low a concentration as possible because it is easier to be accurate and less room for error when using pea sized blobs. Testim is the only 1 % gel now available. Also as Testim is in a screwcap tube, it is easier to squeeze out a small amount and replace the lid, and less chance of air getting to the product which could potentially cause deterioration. So far so good though I don’t expect to notice any difference. It has a very strong perfume though, which is not exactly pleasant in my view – but hey!

For the record and for those newbies who don’t know me, I am late 60’s and have been using HRT for16 years since late peri-menopause, always bio-identical and nil-by-mouth.

I hope this is helpful to some of you. 

Hurdity x

[Kathleen]

Hello Hurdity

Thank you for your very helpful update. I am sixty six and sometimes I worry about still using HRT ( Sandrena gel  sachets and Cyclogest pessaries) but reading your post reassures me that there is a huge range of options and all needs can be catered for.

I hope you continue to do well on your regime.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Furyan]

Hi Hurdity - thanks for sharing your regime. I’m not as far as you into the journey (54 yesterday!  ) and tweaking to find a stable ‘go to’ regime. But reading how things are going for you is reassuring. Hope it continues to work for you x

[CLKD]

Nice to catch up!

Why change from 'vagifem' ...........  if that was working ?  Lots seem to be given 'vagirux' instead, some have found that it doesn't work as well.  ?? cost issues ?? which of course, shouldn't come into medication prescriptions.  Ever. 

[Dotty]

Good to hear from you, Hurdity 

[Ayesha]

Thanks for the update, Hurdity.

I am reading with interest here about women who have been switched from Vagifem to Vagirux and start to experience side effects once they start using Vagirux  with no previous issues with Vagifem.  I am assuming it's all down to the cost as Vagifem does come with a lot of plastic applicators which would make it very costly.

I would be very interested to know if you start to have problems with Vagirux or if you don't, for my own future reference. 

[CLKD]

I would put foot down with firm hand - I prefer to use what works!

[Rufus657]

Thanks for the update Hurdity. I’ve also asked you a question re utrogestan in my personal post earlier. Im 65 and feeling rubbish.


Can I also ask if you are post menopause why you don’t take the 28 days dosage. You say you can’t bring yourself to do this. May I ask why. Is it ok to break every five weeks. Also is vaginal better than oral. Have I got this right ?
Thanks for help. Xx

[Hurdity]

Hi there

Thanks for all your replies.

Re Vaifem/Vagrux - CLKD, thanks for your concern, but you should know that I am not backwards in coming forwards, and haven't got to where I am re HRT without arguing my corner and getting what I want on NHS!    I was sent a letter by the practice but I recycled it, but I am sure it would have said something like go back to your doc if not happy - so when I've used up the vagifem I will try the vagirux and take it from there.

I don't expect  to experience side effects and I can't imagine what these might be, especially as I am on systemic HRT....

Yes they are more sustainable due to the applicators I think.....but I haven't opened up the packet yet!

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

Great to hear from you Hurdity

Taz x 

[Hurdity]

 

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Thanks for the update Hurdity. I’ve also asked you a question re utrogestan in my personal post earlier. Im 65 and feeling rubbish.


Can I also ask if you are post menopause why you don’t take the 28 days dosage. You say you can’t bring yourself to do this. May I ask why. Is it ok to break every five weeks. Also is vaginal better than oral. Have I got this right ?
Thanks for help. Xx

Hi - not sure what you mean. I take my HRT cyclically which means 12 days utrogestan per cycle and getting a withdrawal bleed, despite my advanced age. A few women continue with a cycle post-menopause because they don't like continuous progesterone - and I am one such. It's horrible having to bleed at my age but the lesser of two evils. I kept saying when I got to a certain age I would stop or revise, but now I'm there, I don't want to!

So she (consultant)  wanted me to take utrogestan for actually 14 days per 28 day cycle.

I take longer cycle than 4 weeks with permission from my (gynae specialist) NHS GP, though my own GP doesn't know that I haven't quite gone down to a 4 week cycle, compromising with 5 weeks. I am guided by the bleed which is light.

I have bumped the thread on vaginal utrogestan for you: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,43633.0.html . The utrogestan is manufactured in France (or maybe Belgium) for vaginal or oral use but licensed for hRT for oral use only. It can be used vaginally off-licence if there are side effects from oral intake and studies have shown that it is effective in protecting the endometrium. Some studies suggest half the dose is required if using vaginally but the BMS recommended the same dose orally as vaginally, as does the manufacturers product information ( well it used to....haven't looked recently to see if any changes).

Hope this helps

In haste

Hurdity x