Can anyone tell me what is the difference in these hormonal medications?

[MyheartgoingBoomBoomBoom]

I am confused and wonder if someone could enlighten me?

I am 50, it has just been discovered that I have endometriosis and adenomyosis (only took 20 years to come to this diagnosis 🙄). My gynaecologist has discharged me from his care and referred me to the endometriosis team and I now have around a year wait to see someone, so atm I am in limbo land.

My gynaecologist has sent me a letter to say in the meantime he would like me to get a prescription for Cerazette via my GP surgery. I’m loathe to try this again as last time it made me feel awful. I suffer from hormonal aura migraines and this exacerbated things as well as other issues.

I spoke to a GP on the phone and have asked if I could try Utrogestan as I would like to try a progesterone as near to my own as possible but have been told I can’t have this as it needs to be taken with oestrogen as part of the complete hrt ‘package’.

If these products are both progesterone I can’t understand what the issues is. How come I can have one but not the other? I know one is a contraception type progesterone (I am not interested in needing contraception) and the other is part of hrt but if the main issue for me is to dampen down my oestrogen to prevent more growth of the endo and adeno would utrogestan not do help do this?

Does anyone know the answer to this?

I have made a face to face appointment with a GP who specialises in womens health but it won’t be for another 6 weeks.

What is the rationale behind prescribing the mini pill? Is it to reduce bleeding?
The POP is a synthetic progestogen, Utrogestan is micronised progesterone.

Utrogestan is only licensed as either a fertility drug or as part of HRT.

Your GP isn't being awkward, it's a licensing issue. They're just not allowed to prescribe it.

The other issue of the year-long wait.
Are you able to pay for a private consultation?

The appt with a GP is unlikely to be of much use as their hands will be tied by the NHS and licensing rules on drugs.

There are some instances when private consultants can prescribe off-licence, based on them taking full responsibility for the treatment.

There are other mini pills such as Noriday and Norgeston - might be better if you didn’t get on with Cerazette as they aren’t desogestrel. Or you could talk to your GP about trying utrogestan as part of HRT?

Gynae says he wants to shut off my ovarian function to stop the growth of the endometriosis and prevent the Adenomyosis from progressing. It’s also due to the fact I had a uterine ablation in 2022. This slowed down my excessive monthly bleeding by about 98% but I have since developed Post Ablation Failure and am in agony every period, he is hoping to stop my periods completely which I suppose only the mini pill can do?

Sadly I just can not afford private healthcare right now, I’m in the hands (and long wait) of the NHS unfortunately.

Thanks PoinsettiaLives I will note those down and ask when I see the GP.

I can't help, sorry, other than to say that it will be a licensing thing.

The point about private health care is you can mix and match if that is possible.
You can have 1 appt privately to get a 2nd opinion, then go back to the NHS if you need treatment or surgery (or recommendations on meds for a GP to prescribe.)

You'd be looking at around £250 for an appt.

I appreciate that but I literally have no money atm as I’ve not long started up my own small business. Seeing anyone privately is just not an option right now, sadly.

OP I've had to have my oestrogen suppressed and my periods stopped post breast cancer and I have a monthly injection of Zoladex. Would something like that work?

Thanks WicketWoo I’m making a list of suggestions so I can ask my gp, thank you, I’ll ask about Zoladex.