No Utrogestan - should I stop HRT?

[ConfusedRus]

Hello.
I am on 2 pumps of Oestrogel, blob of Testosterone and take Utrogestan for 14 days every month. Last month I took Utrogestan for only 8 days because its all I had left and I couldn't find Utrogestan anywhere incl. through private prescription. Should I stop using Oestrogel and Testosterone until I get hold of Utrogestan? Thank you.

Do you normally get it from your GP? Have they discussed other options?

Your gp or pharmacist should be coming up with an alternative for you. I don't think it is advisable to just stop.

Ask your pharmacist, I understand they are supposed to offer alternatives when they can't source stock. If they won't help get a phone consult with your gp and ask them to prescribe something that is actually available

I’ve just been to pick up my oestrogel and utrogestan this morning. I take both daily. The pharmacist came out to explain that he’s allowing patients who usually get 90 tablets (3 months ) to have 60 and hopefully in a few weeks when things get sorted they’ll be able to dispense the rest of the prescription.
Do you think you could find a pharmacist that is doing this? I don’t know if my chemist (which attached to the medical centre I go to) is taking it upon himself to do this to make sure patients aren’t left without or whether this is a common strategy among pharmacies?

@ConfusedRus You can't just get an alternative from your pharmacist.

There is a government list of HRT where this is allowed to be swapped by pharmacists (this was when there were previous shortages) and it includes mainly patches and possibly gel/ spray.

As PP says, there is now a limit on Utrogestan - 2 months per prescription.
This means that you may find it easier to get some.

In the meantime, you need to contact your GP.
The obvious alternative is Provera, (it's not body identical) or Norethisterone. Both are tablets.

Your GP should access the shortage of HRT guidance from the BMS which gives the options.

There are some women on the 3-month long cycle for HRT ( noted in the NICE guidance) so continuing with estrogen for a while on its own won't be a problem.

I don’t know if my chemist (which attached to the medical centre I go to) is taking it upon himself to do this to make sure patients aren’t left without or whether this is a common strategy among pharmacies?

It's because it's listed as a SSM- serious shortage medicine- and was announced 2 weeks ago.

It's because it's listed as a SSM- serious shortage medicine- and was announced 2 weeks ago.

That explains why I was able to get 2 months supply then. I was quite expecting to be told they couldn’t get any at all. Hopefully OP should be able to get at least enough to tide her over for a month or two then 🤞🏼

Thank you everyone. I tried a few other pharmacies and none have any. I will continue to take oestrogen and hopefully will be able to find something by next month. I am a bit worried about taking substitutes. I tolerate Utrogestan well but reading so many negative experience with progesterone I am a bit worried about making any change.