Can I take norethisterone?

[whizpop]

A sign of the state of our NHS - I'm asking Mumsnet as I can't get to speak to my GP!

I started HRT a month ago for peri symptoms but I still have regular periods. I am due a period when I go on holiday and usually take norethisterone if this happens, to delay it. Does anyone know if I can still do this please? Many thanks if you can help!

Have you spoken to your pharmacist? My local one is very good with questions like this.

Hi @whizpop The chances are, you are already using Norethisterone as part of your HRT!

And the 'periods' are not periods any more once you are on HRT- they are a monthly withdrawal bleed. As you are only in your first month of HRT, it may not give you a withdrawal bleed - you might have no bleeding- but your own periods will be overridden by HRT (soon!)

What are youusing?

If it's Utrogestan, you could carry on taking it for a few days longer. This is because the bleeding only starts about 3 days after the last capsule.

If it's patches, check that the 2nd ones for the month contain Norethisterone (most do) or are you on tablets?

Come back and I can explain a bit more once you say what you are using.

Thank you! So I'm on Evorel Conti patches, which I have not removed (except to change twice a week). I think that's what I'm meant to do. And I take progesterone tablets day 1-25. I then stop the progesterone day 25-28. Then start it again for another 25 days. I've just done one 'cycle' today is day 2. Except I started bleeding the afternoon of day 25 (before I missed my progesterone as I take it in the evening).

I'm a bit confused about the whole thing! But it seemed I bled regardless though it's interesting you say it may not have been an actual period. It was certainly heavier and more clotty than I'm used to (but only lasted 4 days). Many thanks for any help!

@whizpop There's something a bit odd going on with your meds if what you've posted is right :)

If you are using Evorel Conti, that's a combined and continuous HRT and you don't need Utrogestan as well.

Evorel CONTI is estrogen+ Noresthisterone daily = no bleeds. All the patches contain both hormones and you don't use Utrogestan as well.

I wonder if you are mistaken or if your GP has given you the wrong hrt?

I'll try to keep this short but...

Using Utrogestan for 25 days is for women post menopause (12 months or more with no periods of their own.)

It's not for women with periods.

Same for Evorel Conti.

Also- just to confuse it more- most women who did use Utrogestan for 25 days are now being told to use it every single day if they are post menopause. The 25 days is considered out of date prescribing. Using it every day brings it into line with all other continuous HRT (patches and tablets) which have both estrogen and progestogen every day.) This means the womb lining stays thin and there is no withdrawal period each month.

If you are not post meno, you should be using estrogen every day (patch or gel or tablet) and Utrogestan on a cycle of 12 days per month (after which there will be a withdrawal bleed each month.)

Re-reading your first post when you say you arein peri, it's clear you are on the wrong sort of HRT.

You need to use a cyclical regime.

Are you sure it's Evorel Conti- or is it Evorel which is just estrogen?

Something's not right here!

Thank you so much for replying 🙏🏻
I am not at home but I think it's not conti, just evorel! I know it's Evorel 50, so let's assume I'm mistaken about the conti part

But does that still make me on the wrong regime? I am confused fol to be honest, I'm not sure what's happening. I was having regular, normal periods but very problematic, cyclical mood problems which is why I've been put on it.

I appreciate your help very much

Ok let's assume it just estrogen in the Evorel.

I can understand why your dr has suggested continuous, as that may help even out your hormones that affect your mood.

That's a good call in one sense.

However, the 100mgs daily of Utrogestan may not be enough to stop all bleeding and you may bleed at odd times.

This is because it's mainly used for women with no periods of their own and lower levels of their own estrogen.

If you add together your own estrogen (as you are in peri) plus HRT, the 100mgs Utorgestan may not be enough to offset all of that- so you get bleeding.

(I assume you know the basic principle of HRT- estrogen stimulates the womb lining to grow, progesterone knocks that on the head - so to speak!)

Bleeding starts when the progesterone levels fall too low.

If you want to carry on with no bleeds then you should take utrogestan every day. You may still get odd bleeds at any time, so the choice then is so go onto cyclical - 12 days a month x 200mgs- and get a predictable bleed each cycle.

To stop your bleed over your hols, keep taking the utrogestan (but you can't be 100% sure it will work.)