HRT Utrogestan - My GP says its no licenced in UK?? =(

[Mia1111]

Hi everyone,

I came on here to find out more about HRT as I am about to start it.
After researching a bit on here I decided that estrogen patches and utrogestran would be safest for me. But my GP (who is a very young female who has never seen me before...I don't know why I keep getting different doctors about this subject) rang me today and told me that Utrogrstran is not licenced in the UK and therefore she cannot prescribe it? I was shocked as I see many of you talking on here about it. What is the truth? I looked on the British menopausal society and found that it IS listed there as a treatment...what is going on? This is a nightmare to get GP's to listen and give me what I think is safe. My Gp instead said she would put me on estrogen and progesterone combined patch. I was really hoping for the micronised progesterone, as isn't this more bio identical?
Can anyone help with a link to the truth about it being licenced? it must be licenced surely or some GP's couldn't prescribe it?

I’m taking 2 Urogestan pessaries a day atm for IVF… I’m in UK and this medicine is standard! She sounds like a fool !

I use oestrogen gel and Utrogestran. I think your GP is talking rubbish.

Thanks for your reply. Just to add in, I was looking for the tablet form of Utrogestran to take alongside the estrogen patch (as recommended on the website 'my menopausal Doctor), but would consider the pessary if that was the only option.
Is anyone taking the tablet form on here?

Absolute rubbish. I get utrogestan prescribed on the NHS.

Does uterogestran always come in a pessary? My gp was talking about tablets for progesterone. I'd prefer a pessary.
The patches are, for me, rubbish as they don't stick well and I'm going to ask for the oestrogen gel instead.
Hope you get the info you need Op.

Rubbish. Try speaking to another GP. I take this in tablet form and also my husband is a GP. It is a very common and fully licensed treatment in the U.K.

I take the tablet, one every night. Some people have a break. I use an Oestrogen patch also. I see an endocrinologist, but my GP was able to issue the prescription for Utrogestran.

I have the gel and utrogestan tablets on my beside table. Prescription issued for the first time in the last fortnight.
Ring back and ask for a different gp specialist in menopause or hormonal issues

I believe that Utrogestan is not on licence in Scotland, but is in England and Wales.

I take it and, if desired, the oral tablets can be used vaginally without the need for a different pessary (this way bypasses side effects some women experience)

Thank you all so much this has been so useful!! Thank yoU!! =)))
I will go back and ask to speak to another GP I think.
Also I am currently on desogestrel for contraception. MY FSH came back as normal so at first the GP only offered me anti depressants. But my symptoms are bad night sweats and I've had them for over a year now.
I declined the Anti depressants and then today was offered Evorel Conti patches (this was when she said that utrogestran was not licenced). I'm prepared to just go to using condoms as protection if it means I can have the estrogen patch and oral utrogestran. But does anyone know if I can keep taking my desogeatrel as well? (its a progesterone only pill apprently). I just don't trust anything this young GP says now. I'm even thinking of trying to book a private consultation with someone knowledgeable so that I can get the right prescription.

Thank you all again for all your time and advice! =)

This is the NiCE guidance www.guidelines.co.uk/supplements/prescribing-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-in-postmenopausal-women-a-focus-on-oestrogelandnbspestradiol-and-utrogestanandnbsp100andnbspmgandnbspmicronisedandnbspprogesterone/455856.article

When I requested the treatment above my GP said it wasn't on their menopause pathway. I insisted and was given it as I suffer from migraine. 2 years on no migraines and hardly any menopause symptoms.

I recommend this group

www.facebook.com/groups/384849495215750/?ref=share

I take the mini pill, one utrogestan at night continuously and oestrogel.

It's not licensed in the UK (proof - bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/#U) but it can be px'd off-label. Speak to a different GP.

BNF lists drugs by generic name not brand name, no point looking under U, that’s like looking N for neurofen (brand name) rather than I for ibuprofen (generic name).

It is listed under the Progesterone page.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/progesterone.html

Sorry my post was super short - I meant to say yes you can definitely take the mini pill (I am on the same one you’re on), and the oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan every night. If you’re on the mini pill you don’t do the whole cycle thing that others do with the utrogestan, you just take it continuously. I saw Dr Boden at the Newson Health clinic- my own Gp was rubbish. I’m 40 and have been in early menopause since 37 due to autoimmune issues (lupus, Addison’s etc). I don’t produce any oestrogen of my own at all.

Utrogestan js definitely licenced in the UK, your GP us talking crap. It is licenced for oral use but is not licenced to take vaginally so maybe she is getting confused. I take mine vaginally every other day but of course I don't tell my doctor that or he probably wouldn't prescribe it to me. Definitely go back to your doctor and ask again.

Hi, it is licensed in UK but most GPs are restricted by a local formulary that is agreed at CCG or regional level. Depending on where you live it may or may not be available on your local formulary.

If it's not on the formulary it may be because noone has asked for it to be added (your GP might be able to submit the application) or it may have been considered and rejected (Unlikely given it's fairly reasonable cost and benefits over other firms of progesterone. This is more often the case with expensive 'me too' drugs where more cost effective alternatives exist)

[quote LemonViolet]BNF lists drugs by generic name not brand name, no point looking under U, that’s like looking N for neurofen (brand name) rather than I for ibuprofen (generic name).

It is listed under the Progesterone page.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/progesterone.html[/quote]
Yes, of course, it's late, tired and in pain. My apologies.

If you're using a patch for oestrogen why don't you consider a combined patch for both hormones so much easier just one patch twice a week and no remembering to take a pill for half of your cycle.

One more thing...Is HRT supposed to be free like the pill? or do we have to pay for it as a prescription (£9.35)?

@Mia1111

One more thing...Is HRT supposed to be free like the pill? or do we have to pay for it as a prescription (£9.35)?

You have to pay. And annoyingly that means that if you have oestrogel and utrogestan you have to pay two prescription charges, one for each item, even thought collectively they make up HRT.

@Mia1111 you might find your particular health board dont have utrogestran on formulary so GPs are discouraged from prescribing it. You do pay for HRT I think. Try another conversation with the GP.

@Mia1111

Thanks for your reply. Just to add in, I was looking for the tablet form of Utrogestran to take alongside the estrogen patch (as recommended on the website 'my menopausal Doctor), but would consider the pessary if that was the only option. Is anyone taking the tablet form on here?

This is what I take and is working brilliantly for me.

Our surgery website is quite good in that it tells us what each doctor specialises in so I booked an apt with the appropriate doctor for menopause/women’s problems etc so it might be worth researching and picking which doctor you see as this can make a massive difference in getting the right support.

As for paying, if you get more than one item a month (HRT is two) it might be worth getting a prepayment certificate for a year, works out cheaper and will cover anything else you need that year too. Yes it costs but omg 😮 it’s worth it!