Hi Reed Bunting
Just checking back in again after the last few posts. Re your experimental regime – I'm glad you are thinking of going to a long cycle at least using the proprietary products available. As I know you are aware they have been carefully formulated to give a measured dose within themanufactured preparation with its coating (ie the pill) micronized and carefully suspended in the oils in order for it to get into the system. Once you do something else with it – who knows how much will get through? I'm not sure how you were taking your coconut fat balls of progesterone (!)? You said earlier you swallowed them and then talked about putting them as high as possible implying vaginal use? Either way you do seem very aware that this is not ideal re your endometrium and have sadly also experienced horrible progesterone side effects even on a reduced dose.
I am sure I said earlier that the reason we feel so bad on it ( well some of us anyway) is because we have to take a large dose in order for sufficient to get to the endometrium and this is much larger than the ovaries would produce because the molecule is so unstable. I feel your pain!
Yes I totally agree re the Cyclogest – I never understood why it was never properly trialled and licensed for HRT as well as fertility (and at appropriate doses) when Utrogestan performs the same function. However I don't think the result would be any different – there would still be systemic absorption and high doses would still be needed vaginally ( or rectally) in order for sufficient to reach the endometrium. Cyclogest was the first progesterone I used for 4 years – prescribed by my knowledgeable NHS doctor – before Utrogestan was available in UK and licensed for HRT or at least not known about.
It sounds like a longer cycle is the way to go especially as you are not on a high dose of oestrogen – yes do get the OK from your doc but they might not be quite so enlightened! The more docs know about the various degrees of progesterone intolerance and the solutions, the better.
Wow, let's not curb the inventiveness! As long as RB tests her lining then why not go a little rogue?
Bringing some controlled creativity to the forum is no bad thing.
Dangermouse – creativity in science and medicine is a wonderful thing and is the main way science progresses. However in this case we're not talking about a face cream or even a supplement, we're talking about a pharmaceutical product intended to protect the endometrium – so unless you have access to quite a bit of money – probably left to the professionals to experiment with. By the way Reed Bunting – I do applaud your creativity but like you suspected – don't think it's the way to go in this instance!! However of course it's up to you to decide what to do and if you can afford scans then go ahead - but if you end up with a thickened lining then you will need a stronger or longer course of a progestogen in order to thin it so probably best to work out a sustainable long term regime.
By the way the extent of your bleed on your current regime and whether you have had any breakthrough bleeding may be an indication of how your own uterus reacts to your current regime? Is the bleed heavy or light, short or prolonged, does it come after the prog withdrawal or during the prog course etc? (You might have already answered this!)
For those ladies who scoff at us doing this, they clearly don't understand the extent of our intolerance and berating won't stop us being creative - we have no choice.
Kilted Cupid – I'm not sure who the “us†is you speak of and I presume you have experienced “scoffing†and “berating†on another forum or menopause group before you recently joined this one? What a pity this might have had happened to you in the past, but rest assured that doesn't occur here as we are (mostly!) a very polite and civilised lot – as you can see from the discussion with Reed Bunting!
Reed Bunting – once again I hope you have sufficient information to help you decide what to do in order to continue to take much needed oestrogen, protect your endometrium but mminimse the horrible side effects.
By the way did I tell you about the vaginal plumping (!)? I use daily vagifem in the week leading up to starting the utro and every alternate day while taking it – in order to minimise systemic absorption? Apols if I've already mentioned it! No idea if it works but makes me feel better!
Let us know what you decide!
Hurdity x