Estrogel/Utrogestan first cycle completed - very emotional- help!

[Goodgriefisitginfizzoclock]

As the title says just completed my first cycle, I am 5 days into next cycle and I’m so emotional and angry. Yes there is lots going on and it could be that, but those issues have been the case for a while hence me making the connection to the hrt.
I have been suffering with peri symptoms for about 2-3 years I now realise with help from this forum, but the main symptoms was night sweats and insomnia, they were making life unbearable. Within days of starting I noticed night sweats eased and I was getting more sleep, I then had the bleed, I noticed the two nights before that I spiked again with night sweats and I’ve had poor sleep since.
Wise women, does this sound like the hrt could be the culprit, I thought I had found the answer now I’m just a tired grumpy emotional wreck, I know you should give three months but that’s a long time then try something and on it goes - I’m feeling I can’t cope like this for months and months trying this and that to find the right combination- I know that’s sounds irrational but that’s how I feel, it’s all too much to be honest. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks for reading I know everyone is busy this time of year but if you have any ideas I ours really appreciate it.

What you have experienced is quite common, not that it makes it easier.

Just to be a bit sciency for a moment- progesterone does raise body temperature (this happens in fertile pre-meno cycles too) so feeling hotter during the bleed and in the run up to it is normal but agree, not nice.

Some women try to get round this by increasing the Estrogel a bit- another pump or half a pump might help.

Depending how many days it is since you took the last Utrogestan tablet, you might still be having some side effects. However, many women find it sedative and sleep better.

In Europe, where they use gel and Utrogestan a lot, the Utro is often used vaginally- not orally. This can reduce the side effects. It's not licensed to use it this way in the UK but that's an anomaly - it's safe to do so and my gynae consultant says they prefer women to use it that way if they are happy to as it goes straight to the uterus not through the liver.

So, you could try that to see if it's any better.

The other option which is again 'off licence' is to extend the estrogen-only by a few days (especially if you are still in peri and having some cycles ) so instead of using Utro after 15 days, give yourself a few more days on gel only. Most GPs don't know this, or sanction it, but some of us who are sensitive to progesterone use it only every 6-8 weeks (but this is under medical supervision from a consultant.)

Thank you so much for some input, sorry if this seems a daft question but are you suggesting using the tablets I have internally rather than swallowing or is that a different tablet? I am guessing it takes some tinkering but this morning I just felt ‘trying’ different combinations for three months at a time, without stating the bloody obvious is quarter of a year for each trial attempt life is racing on and passing me by whilst I get to grips with a solution to the next phase in life, sorry sounds dramatic but I’m so, so tired and just want my life back, really appreciate you taking time to respond to me

It's the same tablet. You just push them up with your finger as far as you can reach. You use 2.
In all other countries this way is licensed but for some reason the UK NHS doesn't. But the same tablets are used vaginally for fertility treatment, so it is a known thing to use them that way!

my GP suggested agnus castus for the horrible PMS symptoms I've been getting from days 8/9 of utrogestan - have only tried it for a few days this cycle, but its been better than last month, with less emotional grumpiness and dropping things all over the place.

Thanks for help, may tr6 the Angus aswell. Any advice much appreciated

my GP suggested agnus castus I'm not sure that's a good idea to mix herbs with HRT- may be some contraindications so best to check. Some of these herbs can increase or decrease the effect of hormones and not in a good way.

Spoke to GP today as had to get repeat as had only been given one months supply, review in 3 months but didn’t put on repeat so couldn’t just re order, anyhow, saw G P mentioned how it made me feel she did suggest I could extend gel only days when I mentioned it or could maybe have merina coil fitted, funny now I think of it I had this fitted many moons ago but had it removed after about 5 weeks as I thought I was going mad and being poisoned from the inside, so I am guessing I am sensitive to Progesterone. The other option was one tablet for more days. I think I’m going to give myself more gel days and buckle up for the inevitable hitting a brick! Thanks all for support

so I am guessing I am sensitive to Progesterone

The Mirena coil is not the same as Utrogestan; Mirena is a synthetic progestin. Utrogestan is the same as our own.

If you want to to take it daily that's 100mg daily. That won't give you a bleed but the side effects of using daily might be worse.

I see - I am guessing stretching out 6-8 weeks may be the way to go then.Lots to think about thanks for info

More help needed ! I stretched the time with just gel and added the Utrogesten only six days ago - giving me a week so so longer between starting the 14 day Utrogesten - I see from above its the same as our own, but, six days in I feel so unwell, dragging pain inside, tired, low mood etc I’m still overheating at night but generally I am sleeping better and that was my drive to start HRT that and the feeling of being on the verge of a uti all the time and changes/ dryness below - I’m happy with the effect HRT has had on that but this Utrogesten is really messing me up has anyone any thoughts / help ? Can I just go with the gel only or is that a real no no ?

Hi there sorry you feel rubbish.
1 You don't need 14 days of Utrogestan. the leaflet says 12 days. Some women (me) only use 10 and my consultant says that's enough but obviously i can't say that's right for you, but 12 is certainly what the instructions say.

2 Are you using it vaginally which can lessen the side effects?

3 It is good if you can try it for 3 months (that's the advice for all HRT)

If you simply can't, you will need to try another sort. Some women really like Femoston as it's pretty close to our own natural hormones.

4 No, you can't just use gel- over time it will risk giving you an abnormal uterine lining.

Thank you for your time again Jingling, I will start taking vaginally and see if that lessens the side effects. Started to feel good again on the gel just need to get this progesterone bit sorted! Thanks again