Am I taking. Utrogestan Properly

[Whatswrongwithmarjorie]

im really confused around when to take Utrogestan. I know i should take it on day 14 -28 of my cycle but is that 14 days from my last period or do I always take it on day 14 of a 28 day cycle regardless of my last period date?
My periods can start anywhere from day 23 to day 40. I had a period on July 15th but then didn’t have another one for almost 40 days (actually only 1 week ago). Now I’m getting the cramps that i usually get when I ovulate on day 14 and this would be day 14 if my august had been on time. So In a very long winded way , I’m asking if I should be taking Utrogestan tonight( if it’s taken on a 28 day cycle this is day 14) or do I wait for the 14th day after my last period ?
sorry for the long ramble but I’m so confused!

@Rummikub Can I ask, when you said you took it on the 5th do you mean day 5 of your cycle (or the 5th of Nov/ Dec etc)?

Day 5 of your cycle would be too early. You'd be aiming for day 12-14 (mid cycle.)

Personally I would align the Utrogestan to your wctual cycle, even if it means having more thsn 16 days "off" the Utrogestan.

@JinglingXmasbells

I started on the 5th of November . Which I think was day 21 of my normal cycle. Then I had a period/ bleed a week later. This month I started utrogestan on the 5th again and I started bleeding 8 days after starting it.

i guess I assumed the bleed wouldn’t happen until after I stopped utrogestan (such a hard word to spell!).

So I think the HRT cycle is a week later than my usual cycle should be.

HRT/menopause clubs would be great - sort of like breastfeeding groups- so information and support could be shared.

started on the 5th of November . Which I think was day 21 of my normal cycle. Then I had a period/ bleed a week later.

Starting on Day 21 is too late, because taking Utro for just a few days towards the end of your own cycle is not going to stop a period. Your lining would have built up by then and your own cycle was running the show!

Progesterone works by changing the cells in the lining and stops them growing (medical term is 'proliferating'.)

Try to time it more mid-cycle, so it's aligned with your own hormones, or ignore all of that and start on another day of the month, keep to that date and in time that will get you into a regular withdrawal bleed.

@JinglingXmasbells

that makes so much sense re my own cycle running the show! Thank you it’s very helpful.

So instead of starting on the 5th Jan start on the 26th Dec? Which is technically day 15 of my cycle? Or do it gradually?

Try the 26th!

It's really hard to know what to advise, other than the overall principles of it all.

When I started HRT my periods were almost over (I was coming up to 53.) I had not had a period for 4 months. My consultant put me onto a long-cycle type (3 monthly) which sometimes works well in late peri. I assume not many GPs know about it as it can be a bit more complicated if using gel/Utrogestan. The tablet form Tridestra is the other form for long cycles.

Hope you get on okay!

Thank you!! That’s really helpful. I will start on the 26th and keep track.

My GP didn’t mean to on the three month option. Just the monthly option but it makes it easier for me to remember.

Hi. Some advice please!
I’ve been prescribed utrogestan 100g per day from day 1-25. I’ve also got the patches. I’m presuming I can start taking the Utrogestan straight away? My cycle is all over the place; very irregular over this past year so I could be waiting for ages for day 1 to happen! From what I’ve read on this thread I’m thinking I can just start taking it as HRT will create a new cycle..?
i presume I then have 5 days ‘off’ from taking the Utrogestan up until day 30, then start all over again? Just want to be certain before I start taking it! Thanks.

The regime you have been prescribed is a no-bleed, no-cycle type.
Your GP should possibly not have prescribed this as it's only for women who are 12 months post menopause OR aged over 54 OR who have had a very 'rare' period like one or two in a year.

see here www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

POST MENOPAUSAL -
Continuous combined therapies.

"Period free" or continuous combined therapy can be used by women who are 54 + yrs, or more than one year since last period at any age. The criteria should be fulfilled in order to offer such treatment to women who no longer have a continuing ovarian cycle, so that steady levels of both estrogen and progestogen can be achieved. When there are steady levels of estrogen and progestogen from daily administration of both, the womb lining stays thin. Although some bleeding in the first 6 months of therapy is common, there should not be bleeding after that and the lining does not go through the stages of stimulation and then shedding as it does during a normal cycle and with sequential therapy. Start with low dose preparations and increase as necessary for symptom control. The products marked * are licensed for osteoporosis treatment/prevention.
See below: WHY AND WHEN TO OFFER CONTINUOUS COMBINED THERAPY.

I'd go back and query and take this info along.
It's written by a consultant gynae- Dr Heather Currie.

If you start continuous combined too early, you can get your own periods breaking through. If that's not an issue, far enough, but it can mean that some women get sent for unnecessary investigations if they start bleeding when not expected.

Also (just to complicate it more!) most women now on continuous take progesterone every day, not 25 days. The 3-day gap from day 25-28 is now regarded as no longer necessary as very few women experience a bleed then anyway.

If you decide to stick with what your Dr has prescribed, it's a 3-day break, not 5.
based on a 28 day cycle.

If your periods are not over, you'd usually start on a sequential regime of 12 days per month Utrogestan.

Oh! That sounds a bit different to what I thought! I did read on the leaflet that it can be given either as 100g for 25 days or 200g from day 15-26. My Gp did say to start on a lower dose which, I presume, is why I’ve got 100g.
Hmm… not sure what to do now…. I’m not over 54 or post menopause….
Thanks for your reply. X

Sounds as if your GP needs to go on a HRT-prescribing course.
This is very basic stuff and they ought to know.

Just saying 'start on a lower dose' is meaningless here.

Go back and query and maybe see a different dr if possible?

Hiya, I have also been prescribed 25 days on 3 days off utrogestan pills and estradol 50 patches. Been taking it this way for 6-7 months.
I am still having periods and my GP said it was fine to take it this way when I queried the original prescription on review.
My peri symptoms are SO improved, my period is still roughly coming at the same time as ever- the 3 day break makes no difference. I'm 50.
If this is working for me what are the reasons health-wise I should take it differently do you know? I will take it back to the GP if this is the case. Thanks

🤪. Thanks for your advice. Will have a think over the holiday weekend…

This thread is a bit of a revelation with such amazing advice.

I got prescribed oestrogen gel and utogestran just before Christmas and like others was prescribed 100mg to take continuously. GP said she was prescribing it as if I were post menopausal because meet periods were rare which really confused me. I'm only 46 and my cycles are long (41 days) A summer months I skip it entirely but taking it daily still didn't sound right.

I'm lucky that I have access to the Peppy app and had had a consultation them before seeing my GP so when I mentioned my prescription they confirmed it was 'unusual' and to query it with GP. I haven't managed to follow up with them yet but will.

I'm any case I haven't started taking anything yet because I was due my period just before Christmas so was going to start from day 1 but as my luck would have it my period has fine AWOL this month (I'm at day 51 now).

All the advice on this thread has been brilliant to read though!

user1471471539

Your situation sounds just like mine, except you’ve already started taking it! I’m wondering if that is the way forward with this HRT medication then. It certainly sounds like it is doing the trick for you if your symptoms are so much better! The GP I saw was recommended to me by a couple of friends who have spoken to her about HRT, so I feel that she should be up to date with HRT medication… will hold off starting until next week when I might be able to speak to the GP again…. Thanks for your reply and it certainly sounds like almost continuous is doable! X

Followed Jingles advice and started progesterone on day 15 (26th Dec) and stopped day 26. And I’m just starting my period yay! That feels much better.

Now I’m wondering whether to start on the 26th jan again or day 15 of my cycle which is the 22nd jan.

@Rummikub take it on the 26th of each month. I set aside 24 pills so I know to take 2 each night and don't have to think about which day I'm on. You period will probably start by the time you get to day 12.

@Purpleavocado that’s a good idea about setting aside 24 pills. I end up counting days on the calendar.

ok I’ll stick to the 26th of every month.

@JinglingHellsBells yes! As advised by my doctor I take utrogestan every day. In fact I take 2. I don't take it with any oestrogen though as although I am menopausal I had horrendous endometriosis so trying this first before oestrogen. I am petrified of the endo returning - the one blessing of menopause is that it has ( fingers crossed) seemingly disappeared. But I find the utrogestan helps me sleep and the hot flushes have gone. I really want to get on to oestrogen though. One day...

hi has a anyone found utrogestan causes weight gain plz I suffer with degenerative discs in my spine and can't afford to gain weight thanks

I have the daily tablet, I was 52 when prescribed it but hadn’t had a period in years due to having a mirena coil fitted.

I am not having any periods now although had one after the mirena came out.

what is the benefit of just using the tablets for 14/28?

Day 1 is 1st day of bleeding. Take it on Day 14.