Utrogestan vaginally for energy?

[Stuffedmarrow]

Looking for personal experience of switching from taking utrogestan orally to vaginally. I’m post menopausal approximately 3 years and have progressed through various hrt treatments to my current regimen of oestrogel, which has helped enormously with joint and muscle pain, and utrogestan, which I suspect is the probable reason why I’m always knackered, fed up, anxious and irritated. Up until around 2 years ago I had an abundance of energy, played hockey weekly and visited the gym 2-3 times a week. My outlook on life was unremittingly positive and my mood was (mostly) stable!

I’m currently taking utrogestan orally (100mgs) every night, no break. Whilst it definitely knocks me out for the majority of the night, the quality of sleep is awful, not restorative in the slightest. I drag myself out of bed in the a.m and get on with the day. Everything is an effort and anything over and above the minimum is as a result of my sheer bloody mindedness. I’ve had to become very assertive at the drs and have had every blood test available in an attempt to identify a different underlying cause (I consistently test borderline for ferritin - average 23ug/L for last 3 years - but have been told this is in normal range…I’m taking ferrous fumarate anyway to see if it helps).

Having read widely about utrogestan it seems possible that this is the real cause of my exhaustion. I’m going to start taking it vaginally (100mg nightly) but would dearly love to hear from anyone who has tried this route and felt better, energy etc wise. Or indeed if you’ve tried it and felt no better. Forgot to mention that I’m using 2 pumps of oestrogel in the morning which seems adequate in terms of addressing my aches and pains. I’m fortunate not to suffer from hot flushes. Thank you!

Hi
I have switched from taking utrogestan orally to vaginally and in my case it has made things better. Like you taking it orally was like being hit with a sledge hammer every night and although I was glad for the relief from post menopausal insomnia I didn't like feeling so groggy in the morning. I don't get that at all anymore although I have had a couple of episodes of break through bleeding which I wonder were associated with the change in approach.

many thanks for responding! I’m pleased you’ve had a positive experience. So has your quality of sleep been good or is it the absence of the utrogestan grogginess that’s improved things for you?

I've been using it for years.

I did use it orally for a long time but decided to swap partly as my consultant is very pro using it vaginally. (He says it's used that way in Europe far more.)

So I've been doing this now consistently for some time.

It's interesting! I use it sequentially as using it daily made me feel down and very tired. (I can't be bothered with using it vaginally every single day..)

One reason is it oozes out (although 2 capsules on the sequential regime are clearly more than 1.)

I need to wear pants at night when I use it and there is some excess the next day.

I find it actually disturbs my sleep! I wake up often in the night sometimes hot and feeling very 'high'! I do go back to sleep but it's the opposite reaction to using it orally.

I've also found that - with one month an exception- that the monthly bleed is more predictable, never starting before finishing the course, compared to orally when I'd sometimes bleed early.

So I think it's being absorbed better.

I'll just add this- I am following a sequential regime still as it's fine with my consultant (meno expert.) Most GPs would say no, as they work on the basis that all women post meno have to use continuous. That's not true. (There are pros and cons to it.)

Hi and thanks. So does the sequential approach lead to overall improved energy or is it the case that you’re more energised when not using the utrogestan? Thanks for the caveat re: the consultant advice you’re following, I suppose this also means that you have access to/pay for uterine scans, too? Out of interest, have you ever sought to include testosterone to your regimen?

So does the sequential approach lead to overall improved energy or is it the case that you’re more energised when not using the utrogestan?

The latter. I don't think Utrogestan 'gives' energy at all. It's more of a sedative but vaginally it bypasses the nervous system.

I suppose this also means that you have access to/pay for uterine scans, too?

Yes, to both. Roughly once every couple of years to check ovaries, uterine lining, cervix, etc.

I've not sought testosterone as I've not felt the need.

Thanks very much

Update: 48 hours after switching from taking Utrogestan orally to vaginally I can honestly say that my head is clearer - that crushing ‘fogginess’ has cleared - and for the first time in a while I’m not dreading the day. No negative side effects so far from inserting Utrogestan. Sleep has been good. I’ll continue to report back my experience, good and bad, because I know how much these personal accounts can help.

yay! Great to hear and hope it continues.

🙌

I'm in peri and I went straight to taking it vaginally as I tend to be very sensitive to medication. Very happy that I did. The first couple of months it seemed to partially negate the benefits of the oestrogen and cause me some headaches and odd backache from time to time, but has now settled down and other than making me bloat a bit and feel more hungry, there's little difference when I'm using it (I'm on a cyclical pattern).
Using fingers to push it internally is a bit squeamish for me, so I buy a Canestan pessary every month to repurpose the inserter tool and wash it very carefully between uses.

Thanks very much Ellami

@Ellami You can get ustrogen vaginal applicators - I bought a pack on ebay as I was finding the tablet was a little too large for standard applicators and kept popping out.

Thanks for starting this thread. I’ve been off Utrogestan for 3 weeks on the advice of a consultant, to see if I am sensitive to it. I’m due to re-start next week and her advice was that if I felt better off it I should start taking it vaginally.

I really have noticed a big difference in brain fog - My clarity has improved - and I am less tired. So I’m hoping restarting will be ok and not interfere with this!

I did start testosterone at the same time as stopping utrogestan but I don’t think it’s been long enough for that to make a difference.

Thank you - will take a look!

Hello, can I also just say your ferritin levels are pretty low. I’d get on some liquid iron and get those up if I were you. Mine were 20 and I was on my knees (I’m late 40s). Feeling a lot better now at level of 40, although I still have a way to go (100 is the optimal level).

I have had the applicators that come with Utrogestan, as I was prescribed the 200mgs capsule. I've now swapped to the 100mgs for various reasons.
However....the applicator is plastic (so environmentally not keen on that ) and TBH I didn't find the applicator that good. The capsule had a tendency to stick and not be released by the plunger. From another point of view, it's better to try to use your fingers as you can then feel where it's going and get it as high as possible ( tip- do it lying down on the bed.)

That’s interesting to hear. May I ask what prompted you to seek the advice of a consultant (this is something I’m considering)? Did they talk to you about using utrogestan sequentially, perhaps on a long cycle like others do? I believe scans would be necessary on this approach. Again, this is something I’d consider if the vaginal approach doesn’t bear fruit. I’d also be very keen to hear how you get on with testosterone! Take care.

Sorry that was intended as a reply to Positive Thinking! I’m new to this forum malarkey

Hi and many thanks for commenting on this. My consistently low ferritin levels are an ongoing, serious concern to me. Earlier this month I spoke with a nurse practitioner at my surgery about it and I’m afraid that she was very dismissive and uncaring. She seemed intent on repeating that, since the level is within normal range that it was normal. I tried to impress upon her how it is always at the very extreme low end of that range (23ug/L - 300ug/L) but again she was unconcerned. Disappointed with this response I subsequently got in touch with a consultant haematologist who, after reviewing my bloods, agreed to see me (once I’d crossed his palm with £250). Interestingly his secretary said that the threshold for referral was lower with the nhs then it is for private referrals. Which I just don’t understand. I have yet to make an appointment but I have started taking ferrous fumarate 305mg tablets every other day (research suggests this to be better than daily) and adhering to all the online guidance of how to take it (with orange juice, avoiding caffeine/calcium products).

I’d be really interested to hear more about your experience. DangerouslyBored. Did you receive a sympathetic response from your dr? Or have you taken things into your own hands? How long has it taken you to increase your levels? And are you feeling well/better than before? Private message me if you’d prefer. Thanks 🙏.

Hi, I was prompted to see a consultant after years of feeling rubbish and my GP not being very good with peri menopause.

I got myself into a bit of a mess with all my different symptoms and just wanted some clarity. I booked in to see a doc at the Newson clinic.
And it was pretty expensive so I know it’s not within reach for everyone.

I think it’s just luck really, some GPs are brilliant on menopause and others are woeful.
I’ve felt like I’ve been going mad the last few years so I really, really needed help.

I started a blog about it all but it’s very basic, more for me to get my thoughts out really. I don’t know what the rules are about sharing links so I won’t but if anyone’s interested I can PM (it’s very amateur though so I’m not pushing it!)

The consultant went over everything and came up with a plan of action and then subsequent steps depending on how I responded.

I’ve recently had a scan for bleeding anyway so was all clear on that front. She said there wasn’t a problem taking utrogestan continuously as I have been doing.

I also had blood tests for testosterone which showed my level is very low so I’m hoping it will help with energy and focus. The doctor did say it can take a while to take effect.

I’m not sure why I’m feeling better, it could be dropping the utrogestan, upping testosterone or simply the psychological effect of having done something positive for myself!

The clinic visit was good for me to consolidate my experiences so far and get a fresh perspective but it was hundreds of pounds. There are some great NHS GPs and in some places there are good menopause services, it’s just a matter of finding them…

If it helps anyone, (after hours of research) I purchased these from E-Bay to ease insertion:
(So many of the applicators available are unsuitable to hold the Utrogestan but these specific ones do work)

in case my image does not upload - supplier = willywoo123 / item 255287985329 - 5x 9.5mm applicators

Picture now enclosed…

PausitiveThinking, thanks so much for the thorough explanation, it’s unbelievable how the menopause can make you feel, isn’t it? I have to say that I can relate to all the symptoms you’ve mentioned. My character has changed, no question. My energy levels are drastically lower than they used to be (although I have to say that I feel pretty good - touch wood - today, roughly 72 hrs into using utrogestan vaginally).

I’d like to have a link to your blog. I’ve found other women’s experiences absolutely invaluable through all of this. The medical profession is playing catch-up. It’s nothing short of a disgrace that we’re forced to pay for private advice and, as you point out, not everyone is able to do that. Take care 👊🏻

Thanks, I’ll check them out. Love the seller’s name…..willywoo 🤣

I use it vaginally occasionally, I find it irritating after a few days though. I hate the way I feel when on it orally, but it is twelve days out of every six weeks so I put up with feeling sluggish and craving carbs.
Interesting that taking it vaginally might not be as bad, I have only done a few days here and there so not long enough to tell. I tried it as orally it makes me feel nauseous and gives me indigestion.