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Menopause

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Oestrogel and ultrogeston

7 replies

Jan1234 · 27/11/2021 19:04

Hi just changed my hrt from kliofem to 2pumps of oestrogel and 100mg urogeston which I'm using vaginaly as tried taking them oral but made me really dizzy , I'm still feeling a bit dizzy but not as bad my problem is my breasts they are really sore could this be I need to add another pump of gel or would the progesterone cause this

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EarringsandLipstick · 27/11/2021 19:12

When I was on Utrogestan my breasts were really sore & tender for the first month but not after that.

(However I felt terrible on Utrogestan and have now changed).

I'd stay as you are until next month.

SueSaid · 28/11/2021 11:45

Ask your gp about taking it on alternate nights. There is evidence that serum progesterone levels are higher in those taking it vaginally so alternate nights may be sufficient. Both the Newson clinic and other sites recommend. I believe excess progesterone can cause painful breasts, although I'm far from an expert just anecdotally what I've heard from friends on hrt.

Ask for an USS in 6 months to check the lining isn't thickening if you do go for alternate nights.

JinglingHellsBells · 28/11/2021 13:13

@JaniieJones

Ask your gp about taking it on alternate nights. There is evidence that serum progesterone levels are higher in those taking it vaginally so alternate nights may be sufficient. Both the Newson clinic and other sites recommend. I believe excess progesterone can cause painful breasts, although I'm far from an expert just anecdotally what I've heard from friends on hrt.

Ask for an USS in 6 months to check the lining isn't thickening if you do go for alternate nights.

It's highly unlikely a GP is qualified to give permission to use it that way simply as they don't have the training. They are not even supposed to agree to vaginal use, as it's off label (although many do of course.)

It's also important to remember that what Dr Newson suggests is primarily for her own private patients who can access scans quickly and 'routinely.' There is no way @JaniieJones that the NHS, stretched as it is, would give scans to women a) using HRT off licence and b) wanting a check up without symptoms .

There is no actual real agreement between consultants that alternate nights work. (Mine is more qualified that Dr Newson and he has not (yet!) advised me to reduce the dose, although I'm using it vaginally, but not daily.)

The evidence that this is safe is quite limited- one paper I think - so it's not been adopted by all drs as the way to go.

@Jan1234

As you have changed from one type of HRT to another, it's too early for you to know which hormone is the culprit! It may be that 2 pumps of estrogen is making your breasts sore - you could cut back to 1 pump to see.

The Utrogestan- were you taking it last thing at night? That's the way to do it as orally taken during the day, dizziness is listed as a known side effect.

SueSaid · 28/11/2021 13:21

'There is no way @JaniieJones that the NHS, stretched as it is, would give scans to women a) using HRT off licence and b) wanting a check up without symptoms '

The NHS must be moving on hrt wise, I know of one friend who is indeed having a scan to check the thickness following hrt changes. Many meds are off label but monitoring etc still takes places where appropriate.

JinglingHellsBells · 28/11/2021 13:45

But does your friend have symptoms like bleeding? or a concern about something that requires a scan @JaniieJones ? She would not have been given a scan simply because she swapped from one sort to another unless thickening/ heavy periods was involved already and maybe she had a Mirena or wanted one.

I don't know anyone on HRT who requests a scan if they have no symptoms and are using a form of HRT that deviates from the licensed dose. The women I know, who are concerned and want reassurance, pay for private scans (about £200) annually or every 18 months.

SueSaid · 28/11/2021 15:23

'But does your friend have symptoms like bleeding? or a concern about something that requires a scan'

I don't know the ins and outs tbh it was briefly mentioned last week she'd been using it for a few months vaginally and on alternate nights so her gp has booked a scan to check the uterus lining.

Jan1234 · 28/11/2021 18:37

Yes I'm taking it just before bed I will speak 2 my doctor about reducing it but I don't think she will until I seen the gynocologist in a few weeks she referred me back to her for spotting on the kliofem and a polyp to be removed this is why she changed the hrt she said to use it this way or come off the hrt until I am checked out as it was safer

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