Utrogestan

[SurelyNot22]

Can anyone tell me if it's ok to go with the 100mg per day for 25 days rather than the 200mg per day for 12-14 days when perimenopausal?

I understand that the 100mg per day is usually prescribed for post menopausal but I'm interested in whether it's safe for me to try whilst perimenopausal. The reason being that I'm not great with progesterone and would like to ease myself in gently.

The meds leaflet states that either option is fine (without specifying peri or post meno for one or the other) so think it's not likely to cause harm but just interested in other's experiences on this.

'Either option' is there as a licensed dose for women either in peri or post menopause.

It really is best to try the 12 days. You say you are not great with progesterone but presumably you have not used Utrogestan yet? It is different to other types.

If you start using it daily you are likely to get break through bleeds and these are expected anyway for 6 months in post meno women. The 25 days (it's really used every day now for post meno women) balances out the HRT estrogen dose. You will be adding your own estrogen in too.

It's up to you which bothers you the most.

You won't come to any 'harm' but the lower dose (daily) might make you feel worse than 12 days, and you might get bleeding at odd times.

It also depends on how often you are having your own periods. If they are every month still, there is more risk of bleeding.

I was similar when I started and so used it vaginally with Gp consent for 12 days per month, x2. No side effects.

A year later and much higher patches though and I'm trialling continuous (again) and orally as I feel I'm better with it now. No grog. I may do the 25 day thing or wait till I bleed and stop for 3 days.

A Gp friend did Dr Curry meno training and she said Dr Curry had said x2 utro continuously was better for the higher doses, which may also help bleeding so I'm going to ask my Gp at next review.

Dr curry is lead dr for the menopause matters website, where there's also a forum.

Many women find they actually love the Utrogestan though. A colleague was saying this week it's the first time she slept properly for years.

My menopause consultant put me on 100mg of utrogestan daily plus an estrogen patch. I'm 47 and still having periods. She advised me to take it this way because I have really bad mood swings due to hormones so the daily utrogestan would keep me balanced apparently.

Well I've tried that for 6 months but the mood swings weren't any better so I'm now taking 200mg utrogestan for 12 days per month plus an evorel 100 patch.

I feel.a.lot better and my sleep is 100% better.

Anyway, to answer your question! Yes it's fine to take for 25 days (or daily) whichever suits you. You just may find that 200mg over a shorter period of time is better for you. It's all trial and error.

I started on x1 for 25 days, but had breakthrough bleeding and some nasty side effects on breast pain/lumpiness. Changed to x2 for 12 days and all resolved.

And having had insomnia for some time, I found the sedative effect to be very helpful.

Thank you everyone

I am constantly amazed at the support and positivity on this board. It's been so useful to me. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond to my question.

I'll give the 12 days a shot then, safe in the knowledge that the other alternative is also ok if I need it.

Follow up question if that's ok...

I think I read somewhere on another thread that actually it's fine to do the 12 days at any point in the month that suits me as long as I stick to the same start date each month. Is that correct?

Am thinking it would be simpler to just start the 12 days when I start the new cycle of Oestrogel.

The regular cycle of utro is important and usually your own cycle adjusts.

It's a memory thing. I found it easier to go by 4 week cycles but others find calendar months easier.

Thanks for your reply.

So I can start it on the same day as the next bottle of gel as long as I stick to that each month?

just choose a date and keep to that each month.

The gel has 64 squirts so lasts around 32 days on 2 pumps a day.

As long as you use 12 days within the first 4- 5 weeks of starting gel, it's fine. But it makes it easier to choose the same date ie the1st or any day you choose.

Perfect thank you!

@SurelyNot22 "I'll give the 12 days a shot then, safe in the knowledge that the other alternative is also ok if I need it"

I don't think it is ok to take continuously if you are peri-meno. I was only started on that regime because it was thought that i was either post-meno or very very late pre-meno. But the breakthrough bleeding showed that i still had a natural cycle going on, so i was changed to x2 12 days. The drop in utrogestan triggers your bleed each month, so if you take it continuoiusly and that drop doesn't happen you could cause yourself some serious problems (thickened lining/womb cancer)

Also meant to say that Menopause Matters forum is the most informative, supportive and welcoming place i have ever been.

@justcallmebozo what you have said is partly true, but my understanding is that if someone is still having regular periods, they will be producing their own progesterone too and a bleed will happen at some point. But, equally, some cycles in peri are anovular (no egg released = incomplete cycle and no progesterone produced.)

What can happen is that the bleed happens spontaneously at odd times, to shed some of the lining.

An alternative to either 12 days or continuous is long cycle hrt. This is not usually used long term, but in peri some specialists prescribe 2-monthly cycles, or a 3-monthly cycle (sometimes using Tridestra) .

That gives a bleed after 8 or 12 weeks.

Thank you @JinglingXmasbells

Always happy to learn something new.