Utrogestan vaginally?

[OftenCurious]

I've read you can take the normal oral pill vaginally - just every other day as it is more targeted.
It's 'off licence' but apparently it's a respected way to do it. I like the idea, as it doesn't go through your system (therefore fewer side effects?)
Does anyone know about this? Any information gratefully received,

I’ve just started doing this. 100mg vaginally. This video is really helpful.

Be careful if you have va, can make it a whole lot worse.

If you use the search option on MN there is a whole thread on this (or more than one!) @OftenCurious

The dose has to be the same as orally. Not half.
That info s out of date and has been corrected by the British Menopause Society.

I've also left a link (several times ) to the BMS report on the use of progesterone in HRT (that should come up too with a search) where it explains the dose has to be the same.

Good luck.

Yes, but bear in mind the advice on using half a dose is now incorrect.
It was based on very limited evidence but Dr N started advising it . The BMS has made a statement saying otherwise.

You have to use the same amount- either 200mgs for 12 days a month or 100mgs every day.

Thank you everyone. I'm new to MN and to HRT, so still finding my feet. HRT is a minefield! I've watched the Dr Sarah Ball video - very good. And got hold of the British Menopause Society handbook. I recommend this over the celebrity books - including Dr Newson. My worry with her book is that she promotes HRT so much, and I see she has an online (expensive) 'clinic' that provides HRT (I think?) I feel happier with the BMS info, as the most unbiased.
Thanks all. Btw, I've gone back on Utrogestan orally for the moment, while I try to assess the vaginal route a bit more/ talk to my GP at 3 months etc.

Thanks all. Btw, I've gone back on Utrogestan orally for the moment, while I try to assess the vaginal route a bit more/ talk to my GP at 3 months etc.

Be prepared for your GP either not to know about using it that way, or not 'approving' as it is off-licence in the UK.

Some GPs are a bit sniffy over off-licence treatments which can be frustrating when many more experienced consultants allow and even prefer a different route.

As a BTW, the Newson video and info is slightly out of date now, bearing in mind the BMS guidance. Yes, she has a clinic and it suits some women very well who can't access support or hrt from a GP.

I didn't know the BMS had a book- can you link (out of interest) only.

Hi @JinglingSpringbells - yes, the handbook is great! I really really recommend it. The BMS has two 'arms' to its site: one 'for healthcare professionals' and the other, for us mere mortals. This handbook is described as 'for healthcare professionals' and you get it on their site:
https://thebms.org.uk/publications/handbook/

However, it is totally accessible, and useful to 'normal' people. I did have to look up a few (more than a few) medical terms, but in the main, it is comprehensible and a must-read, imho. I trust it way more than the other 'celeb' books I've got hold of. Also, sorry, I trust it more than Dr N. I wanted to love her, but I just had alarm bells at anything that charges so much, when all the info and prescriptions are available for free, or low cost, if you dig/ push hard enough.
This handbook has no such conflict of interest as far as I could tell: it's just good no-nonsense up-to-date information advising 'healthcare professionals' how to advise us. And therefore, information for us. Anyway, it's the best I've come across so far.
Always important to check how recent it is too. It was reprinted 2023, so I hope it's got the latest info. However, as one of the posts said, if you google BMS and whatever particular thing you want to know, they put updates on their website too, and/or links to peer-reviewed papers. You become a bit of a sleuth when you really get into it!

@OftenCurious Thanks. I am not interested in it personally, as I've got a great consultant (who has their own book) but I've never seen the BMS book advertised widely. It's because, as you say, it's aimed at professionals.

I've started taking my Utrogestan dose vaginally and have definitely noticed fewer unpleasant symptoms.

I was getting absolutely appalling heartburn / reflux (the first time it happened I honestly thought I was having a heart attack) and that has stopped now. I also feel as if the sedative effect is stronger with the pv route, so I get a better night's sleep, although that could be placebo.

The only thing I'm not keen on is the discharge as the tablets break down but I'll happily take that if it means I'm not crippled with agonising heartburn several times a month!

That's so interesting @TheSandHurtsMyFeelings - I have been getting bad heartburn and was wondering why it has got worse. Good to know!

and I'm amazed to hear you are getting the benefits of better sleep @TheSandHurtsMyFeelings : I assumed the oral route would be necessary for the sedative effect.

Yeah, as I say it could well be a bit of a placebo effect but who knows? In any case, I definitely feel happier taking Utrogestan now; I was really starting to dread those 12 days a month.

Your GP may or may not be supportive since it's technically off-licence. I can't get a GP appt for love nor money so just gave it a go myself, but obviously the sensible advice would be to discuss with your GP first...

Interesting to read the comments above re dosage is using Utrogesan vaginally. I switched to using it this way for a couple of weeks before my latest GP review as I really struggled with side effects from thanking it orally. Anyway, my GP wouldn’t support the off licence approach. Coincidentally, I had started to experience some breakthrough bleeding after a couple of weeks of vaginal use so I was concerned that perhaps this meant I wasn’t absorbing enough progesterone this way.

Anyway, I then switched to patches which kept falling off and my bleeding got worse. I have now gone ‘cold turkey’ and stopped all HRT to see what happens. The bleeding has stopped at least - the only benefit of the menopause was not having periods so I’m not going back to all that!

this was fantastic thankyou😊

Dr Sarah Ball her video post was great 👌apologies newbie😅