Progesterone generally and specifically in the form of Utogesteron

[camdenish]

I’ve never got on with progesterone but it took me years to realise this was my problem.

My symptoms were massive bloating and weight gain. I was diagnosed with IBS and good intolerances but nothing could stop the awful pain of distension. Coming off the progesterone birth control always made me better. This has happened with hormone birth control in the form of pills, injections and coil.

Going onto HRT I was concerned about the Utogesteron part of my treatment. I’m on oeastrogel with 12 days of two tablets of Utogesteron. The bloating has been manageable for the first year of HRT but now I’m getting the Utogesteron side effects again. I’ve got to the stag where I’m not going to take the Utogesteron next month. I’ve got an appointment with my doctor at the menopause clinic and I’ll discuss with them, but in the meantime I can’t put my body through it again.

Im not having the Mirena fitted as I had awful symptoms and was treated like a child when I wanted it out. Apparently it’s expensive so I should have persevered. I had to fight to get it removed.

I live HRT but I have a womb. Am I mad to consider having a hysterectomy so I don’t have to deal with progesterone?

Hi OP, I have no answer but I am in the same boat. I have come off HRT, while I try to get a hysterectomy in order to only take oestrogen.
I hope someone knowledgeable comes on to inform us.

Oh wow Anna, I am so sorry! I sort of thought I was being over dramatic, but I’m not am I? Progesterone is awful?!

I'd be very surprised if any hcp even privately would consider a hysterectomy for this. It would seem unethical to put someone through a major op when there isn't a clinical need.

I sometimes wonder if continuous utrogestan is better as the body has a constant amount circulating and gets used to it. The stopping and starting is maybe the problem. Anecdotally only, I don't profess to be an expert but people I know who take it continuously seem to tolerate it better than the sequential users. Obviously it depends what stage you're at if peri or nearing post menopause.

I’ve taken continuous progesterone (Mirena) and had to have it removed. Clinical depression and anxiety are clinical needs.

'Clinical depression and anxiety are clinical needs.'

Yes and a private consultant may decide it is a clinical need but as I said I'd be surprised. Usually there needs to be a diseased organ that needs removing, I'm not sure anyone would remove a healthy uterus but then (unrelated obviously) we have all kinds surgery been done for trans issues so you never know.

Yup, having progesterone all the time just meant I had the symptoms all the time.
I don’t really want a hysterectomy but I can’t think of another way. I do understand the issues of women trying to sort out their health by asking for healthy organs to be removed, how hard it is, and how much easier it would be if I wasn’t a boring middle aged women.

I've been on northisterone for 15 months. Hopefully I'm having my hysterectomy before the end of the year.

One of the reasons they agreed with the surgery was because of the side effects of the hormones. I have also got serious bloating etc.

I'm on it due to adenomyosis and endometriosis

Also I had 2 coils fitted. I just bled the whole time for 3 months, was extremely low and both came out inside huge clots after 3 months.

Yes, I bled solidly on depoprovera, and also the Mirena coil.

There must be another option to a hysterectomy , surely?

@itsgettingweird

Also I had 2 coils fitted. I just bled the whole time for 3 months, was extremely low and both came out inside huge clots after 3 months.

Two coils? one after the other?

Or two at once? Sorry if this is a dim question!

I was looking this up on Menopause Matters website too recently OP as I am also progesterone intolerant.

Lots of women are trying different regimes with Utrogestan. Maybe have a look there? Some are just taking one pill per day (which is actually what my own consultant recommended to me) and some say taking it vaginally instead seeks to help.

*seems

Have you tried vaginal utrogestan?

@camdenish

I am 99% sure that no dr will do a hysterectomy for that reason, even privately (and no way on the NHS). It's something that has cropped up on forums over the years. It's a major operation and not done so a woman can take just estrogen. I'm sorry but you are being unrealistic to think it might be offered.

There are several types of progestogen
-the mirena as you mention
-Tablet form Femoston contains dydrogesterone which is almost the same as Utrogestan but suits some women better
-MPA - found in Kliofem and other types of HRT

• Norethisterone found in both tablets form and patches

You'd be expected to try all of the above to get a better 'fit'.

The other option is to use hrt on a long cycle - one such as Tridestra has 12 days of progestogen ever 12 weeks. A similar long cycle regime is possible' a la carte' by using separate estrogen and progestogen under a specialist (usually private only) consultant.

that is maybe the best route for you to pursue.

@camdenish

Yes, I bled solidly on depoprovera, and also the Mirena coil.

There must be another option to a hysterectomy , surely?

Many options

see my post and the other ideas of using Utrogestan vaginally.

My advice is you find a private menopause specialist (choose one who is good as many are 'just' GPs jumping on the HRT bandwagon and get proper advice.

Taking oestrogen without the Progesterone will increase your risk of womb cancer. So if your omitting the progesterone next month, best omit the oestrogen too.

@Nomad916

Taking oestrogen without the Progesterone will increase your risk of womb cancer. So if your omitting the progesterone next month, best omit the oestrogen too.

Long term yes, @Nomad916 but not for one month. Some women are on alternate months of progesterone for years under medical supervision.

The tablet form of hrt called Tridestra is a 3-month long cycle.
The 'rule' is that as an absolute minimum, progestogen needs to be taken for 12 days in 84 ( 3months) - which is the Tridestra regime.

Viva I had one and it came out. Then they pretty much insisted I tried another and it was fitted a few months later.

That also came out.

Thank you. It’s good to know there are options. I suppose I’m just panicking,as I’m used to not being believed.
I think my NHS consultant is good. I’ll go to him first but all those other options seem good. I seem to remember I was only not prescribed patches as they were almost impossible to get hold off.

I’ve got a long list of things I could try. I’m going to have to have a think about what I want to do.

When you take Utogesteron vaginally do you just insert it as you would a tampon? One tablet or two!

@camdenish

I’ve got a long list of things I could try. I’m going to have to have a think about what I want to do.

When you take Utogesteron vaginally do you just insert it as you would a tampon? One tablet or two!

Yes just like that!

2 capsules if using 12 days per month.

None of them seem particularly hopeful though. I have tried the HRT progesterone that is usually well tolerated, and I don’t!

My list includes coming off HRT all together and also a hysterectomy.

I hate it too op.
Thinking of trying the patches.

I don't tolerate progesterone in HRT and have tried several forms. I've also suffered with years of severe PMT due to my own cyclical release of progesterone. I was originally given estrogen patches for the back 14 days of my 28 day cycle to counteract my own progesterone. I've tried without HRT and feel beyond dreadful both mentally and physically. My consultant is now recommending a hysterectomy, according to him it could be done on the NHS but I can't wait 18 months. My private healthcare providers refuse to pay as they deem it as menopause related, so I feel my only option is to pay and have the operation privately - I am currently going through the process. PMDD is a very real progesterone related problem and young women are offered hysterectomies to stop the horribly destructive, sometimes suicidal, symptoms from ruining their lives.

I have struggled with progesterone- hated Mirena when I had it as a contraceptive, hated Femoston as HRT.
I'm not post meno but my GP has given me continuous (daily) combined Oestrogen gel and Utrogestan tablets. I'm only 4.5 weeks in but the effect was marked and instantt. I can hardly believe the positive effects : no bloating, boobs normal and my mood has gone from depression with intrusive suicidal thoughts and crippling anxiety to calm, strong, positive and content. Idk yet if I'll bleed, if my own progesterone will kick in and I'll have PMS at some point again but right now I feel like me! It might be worth a last shot at progesterone this way OP. My GP has already offered hysterectomy as a solution for heavy periods btw so I would just say that if you want to go down that route.