Utrogestan shortage

[CheshireSplat]

I run out of utrogestan tomorrow and am struggling to get information from my GP as the menopause specialist GP has left. I think I am going to need to help my GP.

Are there alternatives to utrogestan in UK? ( I can't see any on previous threads.)

And does anyone know if it would be dangerous to continue to take progesterone without utrogestan. How long could you do that for without raising risk of cancer. Would a few days matter? Weeks? Months? (I'm on the waiting list for Morena coil.)

I take it for days 1-25 of my cycle, rather than the 14 day cycle.

Many thanks.

There are plenty of options. This was discussed on Radio 4 You and Yours last week (12-1pm) with Dr Paula Briggs from the British Menopause Society. You can find it on BBC iPlayer.

Assume you mean can you take estrogen without progesterone?

There is no risk short term of cancer. Even after 1 year on only estrogen, only 20% of women would have hyperplasia (thickened lining ) and around 1% would have cancer.

Your GP can prescribe Norethisterone tablets, Cyclogest (which is like Utrogestan but a higher dose) or Provera tablets.

Have you considered paying privately for a Mirena? The cost of the coil is about £85 and then there would be the dr's fee. You could enquire at your local private hospital - look at gynaes who do this.

I was given Provera as an alternative (picked up my prescription on Monday). I haven’t started them yet though, so no idea how I’ll get on.

I've also just messaged my GP who has switched me to medroxyprogesterone (I think Provera? ). Not sure what to expect, I've been very happy with utrogestan so a bit nervous about the switch.

I was due to start on uteogsen (tablets) but cannot find it anywhere!

Thanks everyone.

I spoke to the very nice receptionist who couldn't help. My query is stuck somewhere between the nurse and the dr. And the Dr is sorting out her coil clinic soon so hopefully I'll get that sorted soon.

@JinglingSpringbells , yes that exactly what I meant. Thanks for the you and yours too and the research stats. Very helpful.

And everyone, thank you for the Provera tips.

I managed to get some utrogestan last week but was only allowed two box’s though as the government has put a restriction on them had to try a few chemist’s before I found one that had them in stock . Oestrogel wasn’t a problem local chemist ordered them for collection the following day. Only one I can’t find anywhere is Imvaggis pessaries I do have some still so it’s not an urgent yet. I put in for my prescription a little earlier to give me time to get hold of the items.

I have some Provera! Just need to work out when to take it now, it just says 12 days per month.

I’ve just been swapped to patches from gel & ultrogestan due to the shortage. I was thinking about trying them anyway as the gel was really drying out my skin and making it itch, so I guess it’s the push I needed.