Starting Estrogel & Utrogestan.

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Hi everyone, I have Estrogel & Utrogestan.

The label on the Utrogestan says to take 2 every night for 12 days per month.

Do I start the gel first, for 12 days, then start the tablets in 12 days time?

Or start the gel & tablets together,

Thank you.

It doesn't matter. Either.

But why didn't your dr explain? I really don't get this- how a dr hands out a new regime and doesn't even bother to explain use?

You use gel every day- 365 days a year.

You use Utrogestan 200mgs x 12 days per 4 weeks.

Some women find it's easier to choose the same day each month with utrogestan- so 1st month, or 15th month etc.

As this is your first month you can do whichever.

Nothing bad will happen if you wait till 1st Decemember to start utrogestan. You will have a period about 3 days after taking the 12th capsule.

I have recently started this combination too. My doctor said to start the progesterone on day 15 of my cycle.

My doctor said it was best to tie it into my natural cycle. I am to use the gel days 1-14 and both days 15-28 which is 14 days compared to others here taking progesterone for only 12 days.

I’m on my 3rd day of gel.

Sorry, I know this post is nearly a week old but I’ve just found it.

I started Estrogel & Utrogestan too. However, I’m only on 100mgs (1 tablet) of Utrogeston for some reason, not 2.

I was told;
Gel; 2 pumps everyday going forward.
Tablet: take for 14 days, stop for 14 days....repeat.

She told me I could pick whatever day I wanted to start.....whichever days would be easiest for me to remember.

@skyblu If you are using it on a cycle the dose of Utrogestan is 200mgs for those days- it's on the leaflet in the pack (and I've used it for over 7 years that way.)

And yes, it's 12 days per cycle, not 14- again, all ON THE LEAFLET.

Looks as if your GP needs to get up to speed.

I've just started on the estrogel, but I haven't been given any of the other. Could that be because I have a mirena coil? (Sorry to hijack your thread with a question OP)

It was a Gynaecologist I saw, privately, that prescribed this for me.
She has prescribed exactly 6 months worth (at the dose I said above).

Now I’m confused! I’ll have to ring her secretary and double check.

@jinglebells .....and the sticker on the box says ‘ONE to be taken at NIGHT on 14 days of your cycle for 6 months’.

I’ll have to ring and double check!

@skyblu If you have the box, there is a leaflet in it.

Obviously the pharma is following what the GP wrote. It's wrong.

This is what is says on the patient leaflet- google it and you will find it.

It's ONE capsule DAILY EVERY DAY if following the no-bleed regime OR TWO capsules for 12 days if sequential regime.

As here...3. How to take Utrogestan

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Always read the label. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is 200 mg daily at bedtime, for twelve days in the last half of each therapeutic cycle (beginning on Day 15 of the cycle and ending on Day 26).

Alternatively, 100 mg can be given at bedtime from Day 1 to Day 25 of each therapeutic cycle.

@skyblu

It was a Gynaecologist I saw, privately, that prescribed this for me. She has prescribed exactly 6 months worth (at the dose I said above).

Now I’m confused! I’ll have to ring her secretary and double check.

I have been prescribed this too by the private specialist I had a consultation with. I queried this with her and she said 12 days wasn’t always enough.

I have 3 months supply and will then have a follow up.

@openupmyeagereyes it's not so much the number of days that's the issue but the amount per day.

100mgs is for women who use it continuously, every day.
200mgs is the dose for sequential regimes.

It's on the leaflet.

Sorry, I didn’t spot that.

I’m to take 2 tablets for 14 days. I’ll take it like that for the first couple of months and then arrange my follow up just before the end of the third cycle and discuss it with her in person rather than by email.

I hope you can get yours clarified Skyblu

Her secretary is calling me today to arrange follow up apt, so I will query it with her to raise/check with the consultant today.

I think the very first line in the leaflet of How to Take Your Medicine “Always take this exactly as your Doctor has told you. Always read the label” may well over-rule the
“The recommended dose is” section.

There may well be a reason for lower dose (my age, my FSH levels, or the other issues I have going on).

I will just double check anyway though!

@skyblu The dose is something that's discussed on forums a lot (not only this one) and I can pretty much be 100% sure that 100mgs for 12 days is NOT enough. I myself am prescribed it by a top menopause specialist who trains other meno specialists, and having also read the research on using it, it's clear that 100mgs is not enough to give endometrial protection. There is sometimes some variation (under a consultant) for the number of days per cycle it is used, but not the actual amount each day.

The only variation is if a woman is using it vaginally not orally and then it's possible perhaps to reduce it to 100mgs but vaginal use is off-licence and I doubt you're using it that way.

‘@JinglingHellsBells’
I’ve raised it today with the secretary, she’s double checking with the consultant and somebody will get back to me.

I’m also seeing a Private urogynachologist this week and then an NHS gynae on 27th.....so I can double/triple check with all of them and see where we land!

If this dose IS grossly wrong / a mistake.....that will just about sum up my luck with medical professionals just lately!

Will keep you posted....

@skyblu You might want to check if the dr you saw is on the list of the British Menopause Society list of specialists. Obviously, it's not 100% comprehensive, but it does mean they have been trained in managing menopause.

thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/

Ladies. I’m having the same confusion. Just been prescribed utrogestan. The leaflet in the box is telling me take two tablets for 12 days on days 15-26 of the cycle. The doctor said take two tablets for 14 days on days 1-14 of the cycle. Can I conclude from this thread that it doesn’t matter really whether I take it for 12 or 14 days first half or second half? I just need to pick one and be consistent?

Also I’m keen to ditch Femoston ASAP so am planning to switch to gel and utrogestan on day 15 of my cycle. I can’t face the Femoston progesterone tablets and accompanying migraines again. Again will this be OK or do I need to finish the Femoston packet first?

As long as you take 12 Utrogestan every 4 weeks you can start when you like. Some women choose 1st of each month, some the 15th- makes no odds. You don't need 14 days.

You could stop the Femoston once you are ready to take the progesterone and swap it for utrogestan. Don't double up the progesterone in Femoston with utro or you will feel crap :)

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells I’ll do that. Start on 15th day from 12 days.

For 12 days!