Does anyone use Cyclogest as part of their HRT?

[AwkwardSquad]

Does anyone have any experience of Cyclogest as part of their HRT routine? I’m using Oestrogel and utrogestan, started in July - Oestrogel well tolerated but experiencing some mood issues with the utrogestan.

I’ve talked to my (very lovely) GP about taking 100mg of utrogestan vaginally and we agreed that I’d give it a trial. I mentioned the advice on the Newson website and she said she’d do some research as well, as she’s not a menopause expert.

I tried the 100mg vaginally this last month and I found that my mood was less affected although still some impact.

My GP has got back to me to say that consultant gynaecologist has suggested 200mg of Cyclogest via pessary instead. I missed her call so she sent this via text and I’m going to make an appointment to discuss.

But I wondered if anyone has any experience of Cyclogest? What’s the difference between this and the utrogestan? I have plenty of utrogestan left and I’m loath to switch unless there’s an appreciable difference.

Gentle bump - any experience or advice welcomed

You can search both meds online.

I think that Cyclogest is a synthetic rather than natural type of progestin.

Unsure why your Dr suggests a change as Utrogestan is now considered the safest.

Cyclogest is extremely messy. It destroys knickers. I’ve used it for IVF & would hate to be on it long term.

Yes, I’ve looked into both online, and didn’t find much about the use of Cyclogest in HRT. Hence wondering if anyone else had had any experience of it, particularly re impact in mood. Useful re it being synthetic, thanks, wasn’t sure - searched again and have now found a fact sheet that says this.

Thanks for the heads-up re messiness, @Porridgeislife, the Utrogestan is definitely sounding like the better option!

I don't think it IS synthetic. Info online says it contains progesterone. I think I was confusing it with Provera.

But I can't see the advantage over utrogestan.

The 200mgs capsule (now only prescribed for fertility but still available as HRT privately) is exactly the same, just bigger.

I just wondered if the gynae though Cyclogest was better to insert or something, as that's what it's used for- for fertility.

It's not actually licensed for HRT as far as I know.

Ah, ok - the fact sheet was one from India, everything else says ‘progesterone’ but unlike utrogestan, no info about what it’s derived from.

I agree, I can’t see the advantage either, apart from insertion method (but messiness…)

The other suggestion was a mirena but I really don’t want that.

Thanks, @JinglingHellsBells

I use it for HRT. Couldn't tolerate utrogestan either orally or vaginally but I'd used cyclogest for hrt so mentioned this at menopause clinic. I couldn't tolerate it sequentially at 200 a day but I now have it cyclically at 100 every other day ie I split it in half and have 50 a day. Have had my lining measured and all fine.

Not sure if it's natural or not but it's saved me from having to have a hysterectomy.

My knickers are all fine!

Thanks, @unambiguousbeard, it’s really helpful to hear about your experience of using Cyclogest. When you tried it sequentially at 200mg, did it have the same effect on you as the utrogestan? And was it problems with mood?

Hi cyclogest was recommended to me by a Dr acquaintance, told her about my progesterone intolerance, I had to stop hrt as Utrogestan made me so depressed. She recommended cyclogest, and said they had had lots of problems with Utrogestan. She told me to use it anallly. I haven't tried it yet as I'm not sure how often I need to take it.

Yes affected mood, made me suicidal etc. But I had what is now called PMDD so not surprising. And cyclogest was almost as bad sequentially ie on 200 daily.

I use it vaginally or anally. My main complaint with it is as it's working locally I have quite bad urinary incontinence with it. I do have a prolapse and all sorts but am fine without progesterone. However it's worth it to have the oestrogen!

That's interesting to know @Touty

I suggested cyclogest at the menopause clinic as I had it for ivf and don't remember having any symptoms. Which is weird because I do!

I also took it all through my last pregnancy as I was part of a study to do with late losses and I felt horrendous. I was exhausted and down and achey etc. I blamed it on pregnancy hormones but I wasn't like that for any of the others beyond 12 weeks and in retrospect I think it was the progesterone.

Anyway I was soooo relieved and happy to find a regime that works as I was on the waitlist for a hysterectomy before I tried continuous.

@unambiguousbeard i am so sad at the moment, I am on antidepressants but they don't seem to be touching the sides, no periods for 11 months then 1 last month out of the blue. I don't know what I can do if I can't take hrt, I'm 48.

@Touty are you under a menopause clinic or gp? Tbh I worked mine out myself using trial and error. For years I managed about 8 days of 200 cyclogest every 2 months as i couldn't cope for longer. I then had a terrifying flooding incident which made me realise I couldn't dick about with it so I asked for a hysterectomy. While i was waiting I tried low dose cyclogest every other day and it's been fine. I was so happy so I know what you mean.

@unambiguousbeard I live in Spain. I pay privately to see a gynecologist. Last time I saw him I had periods every month and he prescribed me Utrogestan for 12 days a month. Couldn't get on with it at all made me so depressed.

So 2 years later I've only had one period in last the last year, so will need to go back and see the gynecologist.

I've also suffered from horrendous pms over the years.

When you were waiting for a hysterectomy you say you took a low dose of cyclogest every day, how much did you take?

Damn and blast, just wrote a long post then lost it 🙄

Very helpful and interesting to read about your experiences, @unambiguousbeard and @touty

I’m currently on sequential but it’ll be a year since my last period in December so could go onto continuous then. I’ve not yet had any bleeds since starting HRT so I’m a bit concerned about the flooding incident you mention, unambiguousbeard

I didn’t really get PMT (not that I noticed, anyway) but do have a long history of anxiety and depression, so I’ve been monitoring myself for side effects. But I know I need to be careful not to over-interpret too.

I’ll discuss the options with my GP and see what the consultant advised. Low dose continuous may be the way forward.

The other suggestion was a mirena but I don’t like the idea of not having any control over it once it’s in.

I’m currently on sequential but it’ll be a year since my last period in December so could go onto continuous then. I’ve not yet had any bleeds since starting HRT

So you are using Utrogestan 12 days per month and don't have any bleeds?

This suggests your estrogen is very low and no lining to come away.

I think it might be wise to ask for a scan to check your lining.

Sorry @AwkwardSquad Ignore the above post. I see you only started HRT in July so you've only really missed maybe 3 'bleeds'? You might though want to think about the estrogen dose- it is enough for you?

Oh that’s interesting, @JinglingHellsBells - I’ll look into it. I thought it was maybe taking a while to build up, or that it wasn’t enough progesterone - I’ve mentioned it to my GP and I’ll see what she thinks st my next appointment. Thanks

Hi, I’m in this situation, the Utrogestan vaginally is too itchy, I’m trying Cyclogest but often get a bit of a burning sensation, have you had this? Thanks

Hi JaqSFru, I've not tried the cyclogest yet - I'm sticking to the utrogestan

Posted too soon - sticking to the utrogestan for now, to see how it goes