Trialling Oestrogel & Utrogestan

[Oxfordblue]

Last month I visited a Menopause clinic with the intention of requesting testosterone. I'd previously asked for this from my GP who said no & also told me that using the gel + tablets was too much of a faff & to stick with the Femoston 2/20.
At the clinic I thought I'd ask for the gel as I'd heard it better/less risky etc.

I've been using it, well I've just counted & realise I've been taking the Utrogestan for too long. I was supposed to take it for 14 days but looks like I've been taking it for 19 days (I've had a lot on my plate lately...)

So I was posting to say I think I prefer the Femoston because my body seemed to be quite happy with it & now I keep getting headaces + I don't seem to have enough arm to spread the gel. Last couple of days I've been putting on my inner thighs.

What are my risks etc sticking with the Femoston over the gel & tablets?

Thanks

Just double checked & im on day 6 of Utrogestan not day 21

Phew! You might find the side effects settle,

Risks of what? Apart from taking oral estradiol tablets and utrogestan, Femoston is the closest to oral bio (body)-identical HRT that you can get. The oestrogen is estradiol and the progestogen in dydrogesterone - a synthetic progestogen very similar in molecular structure to progesterone. If you are under 60 and otherwise healthy and you prefer taking Femoston then stick with it. The only thing is oral HRT can have the effect of reducing libido if this is important to you....

How many pumps of gel do you use?

Thanks for your reply.

I have no sex drive & do have testogel. Been using that for about 3 weeks now, think it takes 4-6 weeks.

I thought there where higher risks with blood clots with the tablets?

And I meant to reply...2 pumps in the am & 2 pumps in the pm.

I was wondering what risks you were referring to. Your risks of adverse effects depend on your age and time since menopause and how long you've been taking it. Overall - yes transdermal HRT is associated with fewer risks generally although data are still inconclusive re trials etc for obvious reasons. However being obese and being a smoker are far greater risk factors so if you keep yourself otherwise healthy you are minimising the chance of this happening. The absolute risk is supposed to be very small anyway - otherwise noone would be taking it! if you are under the average age of natural menopause (51/52) then personally I wouldn't worry at this point.

14 days of utro is quite a high dose but if you are also taking a high dose of gel ( ie 4 pumps) you may need this much to protect the womb.

Libido (or lack of it) is a good reason for sticking with transdermal. Testogel takes a while to work - can be several months so just keep using it at the (presumably) low dose you've been given

Do u have 4 pumps a day I was put on 2 and never felt it was high enough as i suffered through menopause and still do though after 4 years its easier

Gerijrich*
Yes, 4 pumps a day. I'm getting hot flushes again though, just one smallish 1 a day. But enough that I notice it.

bellaciao I'm 49, 48 1/2 for last period & then full on hot flushes & could feel everything during up. The consultants started me on 14 days of utrogesterone (or is it 10 ) & 4 x pumps of gel. It's also a bit weird as with femoston, I'd just had 14 days of progesterone. Perhaps it'll settle down next mth. I haven't had a bleed yet. Will continue with the testosterone then.

I've had this head most of today, perhaps it's settling down issues...

The licensed dose of utrogestan is 10 days of 200 mg taken orally but in practice there is a lot of variation of this (ie lower doses of shorter duration, and vaginal vs oral use) which is fine if your medical practitioner prescribes this and the womb lining is monitored.

Not sure why you were started on the progesterone phase after completion of the progesterone phase of Femoston? It would be usual to then go onto oestrogen only ( in your case gel) followed by the progesterone phase, so you would get a bleed just after the changeover as usual. Presumably your consultant had a reason for this?

Did you say you were taking it orally? The head thing is typical I'm afraid. I get these heads too sometimes although I take it vaginally and the side effects are generally less than with oral use - although doesn't suit everyone.

Hi! Why don't you try Femoston? For younger ages tablets are safe I think if there are any condradictions.
For me Femoston is easy, no side effects, just a bit dizziness at the morning, mild progesterone and great libido. More like my old self! :)

Emerald - Oxfordblue has been taking Femoston if you see her first post, but has changed to gel and utrogestan hence her query. Sounds like Femoston is great for you! I must admit if dydrogesterone was available separately as a progestogen in UK ( as it used to be) I would be very tempted to try it alongside transdermal oestrogen because the dose is so low, although I've never taken any form of oral HRT.

Oh OK I didn't notice it! In my country dydrogesterone is available separately (Dufaston) but the gel is no available anymore! The pharmacy told me that there are no supplies. :)

Lucky you Emerald! Where in the world are you?

I sent you a message Bella! :)