Can I take Utrogestan 100 vaginally?

[Gostaberlin]

I've just got my first prescription of HRT. I'm struggling with tablets atm and I'm trying to work out if I could take them as a pessary instead. I've read online that you can, but I can't work out if these specific capsules are suitable. They are 100mg capsules. Has anyone experience of using them in this way?The box definitely says for oral use. I did go back and ask the pharmacist but he just reiterated what was on the box and said I could ask my doctor to resubscribe a pessary. Unfortunately it's a nightmare actually get a doctors apt atm in my area.

Can you explain a bit more what you mean?

How are you struggling with the tablets?

Yes you can, it's an off script use but my GP nurse practitioner said it was fine.

It didn't help me though, I still went from my usual 'happy and stable' to 'staring into the abyss' after 4 days on them, same as with normal oral progesterones.

The capsules are the same although you can get 200mgs for vaginal use if you are using them for 12 days a month on a cycle (so you don't need to use 2) although a GP is unlikely to prescribe them, as they are only used for fertility that way. (As HRT it would be through a private consultant.)

BUT are you saying you are already using them orally and they aren't agreeing with you in some way?

If you have only used them orally for a few days, I'd give it a bit longer.

Not the ones you have, they are for oral use.

Well they are used like that offf licence but eg the consultants in our trust won't recommend it as there isn't the proof that the dose is adequate to protect the endometrium.If after a few months of taking them orally you still cannot tolerate them a better option would be to consider a mirena.It is possible that the guidelines will change re PV use but currently you should give the other options a good go first imo.

Thank you for your replies. Basically I have an anxiety about choking when taking pills which I thought I could put my big girl pants on and deal with but apparently I can't🙄I will ask my doctor for pessarys for the next prescription but I feel awful about wasting what I have as I know there is a shortage. I have it prescribed 2 a night for 12 days of my cycle but I haven't had a period since last year, so I was going to take one every other day as a pessary which I have seen suggested on gpnotebook website. I wouldn't normally mess about with prescription medicines but these were prescribed after a literal 5 mins phone app so I don't feel that much about my personal needs was taken into account.

@frydae That is incorrect. The capsules are exactly the same. I've used them vaginally via my consultant for years. I have also had the 200mgs ones and they are identical, except larger, of course.

The pessary does not exist except as a fertility option.

For HRT it is the same capsule you have now. (As explained this before.)

You insert 2 on a cyclical regime.
You use 1 daily as a continuous regime.

ALSO the GP Notebook is out of date.
In January this year the British Menopause Society issues a report saying the vaginal use HAS TO BE THE SAME DOSE AS ORAL. (I linked to that report in early January which you can find it you use a search on the site.)

This has not filtered down to GPs and it's not been updated.

So you need to use 1 capsule every day.

Thank you so much, JinglingHellsBells that is exactly the clear advice I was looking for. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain. I'm going to use one a day continuously rather than cyclic and see how it goes.
Sorry that you had a bad experience with them BEAM123 I'm* *a bit nervous but going to give it a go.

I use one capsule a day vaginally, and it's the same capsules as for oral use: my GP has suggested that I try them vaginally as orally they weren't controlling bleeding.