What are the benefits of taking utrogestan vaginally?

[Twoweekcruise]

I am thinking of trying body identical HRT as I can no longer cope with the symptoms I have.
I know that using Utrogestan vaginally is off-license here in the U.K. but just wondered why it’s sometimes suggested by private clinics?
Is it better tolerated that way? I have awful, daily IBS and a super sensitive digestive system so would prefer to take my medication any way other than orally, if possible.
I have read accounts of woman saying they just could not tolerate Utrogestan either way. Is it well tolerated in general and if not what side effects are common?
I am very nervous about trying HRT for various reasons and I do seem to be hyper sensitive to many meds and so avoid them as much as possible but I have so many symptoms now my day to day living is pretty crappy so feel I have little choice.

HI @Twoweekcruise - I had similar symptoms to you on Utrogestan - the stomach pain and bloating was the worst symptom by far, although I also felt murderous.

I take body identical HRT - utrogestan vaginally has reduced the symptoms, I've also tweaked the oestrogen bit so I have more of that which seems to counterbalance the progesterone. I think it's also meant to take at least 3 months for your body to settle too, so worth persevering. I do feel much better now than I did when I started, although I'd like to explore either increasing the oestrogen period or decreasing the progesterone one a little bit more.

It's trial and error ultimately - I know that you can switch to the mirena coil if you really can't get on with the utrogestan.

(oh and I get it prescribed to be taken vaginally by the NHS now too).