Not Sure if this is Progesterone Intolerance or not

[Middicat]

I am mid pack of taking Urogestan and Oestrogel 2 pumps cyclically for 25 days and then 3 days without and this is my second month.

The first month I had a hormonal migraine in the last 5 days of the pack but carried on as this cleared up. This month I had been OK until mid pack where I have awful bloating of the stomach and PMT like symptoms and mild cramping as if a period is about to start. I have always been very sensitive to taking any type of hormones.

I started HRT for irritability and mood changes and joint pain. The joint pain is markedly improve but the moods are now worse!

Any ideas please?

Hi,

I can't answer about HRT, but I know in the past, when I've taken the POP/mini pill, I've been terrible. Really depressed and tearful, I'd started taking it in November and the run up to birthday at end of Nov and Christmas was awful. I usually find great joy at that time of year.

I've tried the implant which was more physical side effects. Greasy hair (not normal for me) like I'd plastered oil in it, bloating, constipation, water retention. Moods were ok, except in pain from the constipation. It came out after 5 months. My friend on the other half took the POP for 10 years with no issues. Another, the implant, with no issues. There are different brand of POP's but only one implant type I think.

I definitely believe in Progesterone Intolerance. My hubby had the snip in the end. I hope you feel better soon xx

Just to clarify- what are you using re. doses?

What you have described is not cyclical. The daily use of Utrogestan is a continuous regime.

It's Oestrogel daily (not 25 days) . every day, and if you are post menopause, it's Utrogestan 100mgs every day.

If you are not post menopause, the regime is usually cyclically which is gel daily and Utrogestan 12 days x 2 capsules.

The leaflet does say 25 days for Utrogestan (continuous regime) but most meno experts say take it every day and don't bother with the 3 day break. (The break is to allow for a withdrawal bleed but drs say it's very rare to occur when taking it for 25 days out of 28.)

Is this what you are doing?

The side effects you mention are very common and often settle down after a few months.

If they don't, you can try using it cyclically (that's 12 days a month.)

I get a lot of the symptoms you mention (have used it for 8 years, cyclically) but I've stuck with it and just grit my teeth, as the other types are worse for me.

Does this help at all?

LizzieLoo28 Thank you for your response. I am sorry that your Christmas was ruined. It certainly makes you feel low and flat in my experience. Micronized Progesterone ie: Utrogestan is supposed to be better tolerated that synthetic Progesterone as Utrogestan is made from soya and yams.

JinglingHellsBells Thank you for your response. I am on the sequential regime of 25 days on 3 days off of Progestan and of course every day on Oestrogel.
I am having some of the symptoms mentioned ie: flat mood, irritability etc but also gynae discomfort as if a period is just about to begin all the time. My mood is so PMS very up and down, very bloated etc.
Do you know if the gynae dragging sensation period pain sort of feeling is a normal side effect please?

@Middicat

Using Utrogestan for 25 days out of 28 is a continuous regime.

(As I said in my previous post, most drs now tell women on this continuous regime to take it daily and not bother to stop for 3 days.)

A sequential regime is using it for 12 days out of 28.

The pain you are getting will stop.

I assume you are using Utrogestan daily because you are post menopause? (No period for at least a year?)

JinglingHellsBells - I am not post menopausal as I had a tiny bleed in April of this year.

@Middicat

JinglingHellsBells - I am not post menopausal as I had a tiny bleed in April of this year.

So, you are not using it the right way for women still in peri- maybe your Dr isn't clear on this?

Look at the leaflet in the pack of Utrogestan. It explains how to do sequential. it's 12 days of 2 capsules daily each month. two weeks on it, two weeks off.