Utrogestan

[J123456789]

Sorry I'm new to mumsnet and a bit all over the place so I hope I do this right. I'm currently taking utrogestan orally 2 tablets on days 15 to 26 but it causes headaches, heavy breasts etc. Also I'm rubbish at not eating for 2 hours before taking it. So I wondered about taking it internally but research seems mixed as to whether this is OK, how much to take etc. Any advice greatly appreciated 🥰

How long have you been taking it as it can take a few months for symptoms to settle down. If taking it vaginally they say to use the same dose as orally. I had all the symptoms you have but settled down after 3 cycles x

Thanks for your reply. I actually started a year ago now. I felt better from about 3 months until 9 months but then I noticed problems with the progesterone so my GP suggested 1 tablet internally continuously which I tried for a couple of months. I didn't really like taking it every day and noticed a build up of side effects again so thought I'd like to go back to cyclical progesterone. I've been in touch with my GP and she seems to give the options as either daily internal 1 tablet or 2 tablets orally days 15 - 26. I wonder if that's because she doesn't want to mention the internal option in writing as it's not officially licenced for that?? It seems a bit of a minefield to be honest....

I don’t use it vaginally but lots of ladies on her do. You can take it cyclically vaginally it doesn’t just need to be continuous. Continuous is for post menopausal women. If you go on continuous before your body is ready you can get breakthrough bleeding.

There is the 3 month cycle too x

Also I'm rubbish at not eating for 2 hours before taking it

You can take it after food.
The guidance on having an empty stomach is that food increases the efficacy - meaning it works better - (but that can sometimes mean the side effects too.)

If you find you are intolerant to it, there are other options.
I find it a bit frustrating that all women are now put onto it 'automatically' yet it doesn't suit everyone by any means.

There are other options (Norethisterone which is in patches, or as a tablet along with gel, or the tablet Femoston, or the Mirena coil.)

As @Christine0708 says, you can use it for 14 days every 12 weeks (look on this page for UTROGESTAN THE 3 MONTH OPTION) or on a cycle, for 12 days every month.

I agree that using it vaginally every day would be unworkable and no one really does this as a long term option.

The vaginal option is not licensed in the UK but it is in Europe and has been for many years.

I hope this has given you some ideas to consider.

It gave me terrible headaches that lasted for about 10 days at a time. I swapped to patches and haven't had any issues with side effects

OK so I could just take 2 vaginally on days 15 to 26? Thanks so much, these are such helpful messages xx

Thanks, yes , I read that food increases the absorption and I think that's the problem for me . When I don't wait 2 hours I seem to get worse side effects like headaches, heavy breasts etc. But I often get peckish in the evenings, especially when I'm taking progesterone 🙈. That's why I wondered about taking it internally.

Yes.

And you don't need to count to day 15, you can choose the same date each month (like the 1st) and do 12 days then, the same the next month etc.

Yes perfect thanks