EstroGel and utrogestan

[fooogle]

Very speedy query!
Planning to start this today but not sure if I take just gel for first 12/14 days or gel and progesterone tablet? Anyone any clue! Packet for tablets say day 1-12 but I kind of thought it was for end of month...
Thank you for any info.

You use the gel every single day.

If you are totally new to HRT you might like to start on a low dose of 1 pump and work your way up to 2 pumps over a few weeks to minimise any possible side effects.

If you are in peri and still have regular(ish) periods, it's worth trying to align the Utrogestan with your own cycle. That means you might want to start Day 1 of it midway in your cycle (to correspond with when your own progesterone would normally kick in.) So that would be around Day 15 of each month for 12 days.

Basically, you can start the Utrogestan any time and it will set a cycle (like a natural cycle) but bear in mind that 2-3 days after the last one (of 12) you will get a withdrawal bleed. It's unlikely to happen this month if you start today because you won't have enough estrogen getting to your womb to build up the lining by 12 April, so your bleed is likely to be after the next 12 days (mid May.)

For convenience, some women use it from the 1st of each month, others from the 15th (give or take a day- it's not critical.)

Thanks so much JingleHellsBells;
I got all organised for today as it’s 1st of month and seemed good to start, then realised I was in a muddle with what dose came when. I’m new to HRT. Don’t really feel extreme symptoms apart from cloudy mental faculties. I just turned 40 though and periods very infrequent and light when they happen so I’m peri I think. I gather it’s wise to take HRT to help avoid osteoporosis etc so that’s why I’ve been put on after going to the endocrine consultant.
So gel in morning and then essentially I’ll get a bleed after the tablets so if I want a mid month period start now, or end of month, start on day 15 is that right?

Yes, that's right.

Starting utrogestan today (and then 1st May) would mean you would normally bleed around the 17th-18th of a month. it's unlikely though not impossible you would bleed this month (depends how much of your own lining is there already to come away...because the lining breaks down once progesterone leaves your system.)

To be honest, if it were me, I'd go for 2 weeks now with estrogen-only, to see how I felt on that.

if you start both hormones together today it's a bit of a double whammy for your body to adjust to.

Utro can make people sleepy and it would be nice if you could start to feel some of the benefits of estrogen before you add the Utrogestan. But it's your choice.

You are wise to be using HRT as you are young for peri and your body needs the extra estrogen.

That sounds like a wise plan. The consultant seemed to say anything from 1-4 pumps of gel which seemed a bit vague! Would you start with 2 pumps at once or split the dose morning and evening?
Thanks so much for answering, mumsnet is like having a knowledgable big sister 😘

I think that is a good plan. Start with 1 pump mornings and after around 2 weeks go up to 2 pumps and divide am and pm.

Good luck!

Oo, also, are there any top tips on taking progesterone...? Times/empty tummy?

Hi OP - just wondering how you were getting on as I’ve just asked my GP for exaxtly the same and I’d be interested to hear your experience so far.