gepretix question.

[henlake7]

So Ive just been prescribed this (my first experience in the wonderful world of HRT!) and Im a bit confused about the instructions.
It says 'take on days 1 to 25 of cycle' but what then?
Google says a cycle is 21-30 days and I have no idea because I was always roughly a month (2 wks either way).
Am I supposed to have a break or just continue it? Seems very vague to me.

The brand you've been given is usually branded as Utrogestan.
Yours is a generic version (cheaper but the same.)
This leaflet here describes how to take it.

If you are post menopause, it's taken daily - one capsule. (The leaflet says 25 days but this has been changed in practice, to daily.)

If you are not post meno ( 12 months or more with no periods) you take 2 capsules (200mgs) for 12 days each month, starting on the same day each month.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/micronised-progesterone-or-utrogestan-factsheet/

well, now Im even more confused!!LOL
Info for GP def says 1-25 days but Im not post menopausal (am over 50 though, maybe thats why?).
I guess I'll have to contact them tomorrow to double check.

If your GP's got it wrong already why would they know the correct way tomorrow? :)

The information for patients is on the leaflet in the box.

There is a choice if using it two ways.

The 25 days USED to be the way for women post menopause, to 'allow' a light withdrawal bleed if it was going to happen (and it rarely does.)
So in practice, it's been aligned with all other HRT for post menopause. That is both hormones (estrogen +progestogen) daily.

Unfortunately @henlake7 GPs often px HRT incorrectly and give women the wrong regime. It is a common occurrence on this forum. As you have not been 12 months or longer without a period you are best taking it for 12 days a month as pp recommend otherwise you may get irregular bleeding as your own cycle breaks through x

I was also prescribed the incorrect dose of 100mg days 1-25. I did my own research and changed to 200mg on 12 days per cycle. It’s frustrating that the leaflet in the box hasn’t been updated. And that the medics aren’t up to date either.

In the box, the leaflet gives the two options- 12 x 200mgs days per month, or 25 x 100mgs days per month.

However, the 25 days has been changed , in practice, to coincide with all combined continuous types of HRT. That is progestogens daily.

The real issue sadly is that some GPs aren't able (it seems) to tell women which of these regimens to use.

It would take 3 minutes when they prescribe to say 'You take 2 capsules for 12 days...)

I’ve been told 15 days from the 1st of the month. The side effects are a bit debilitating though - well, the teenage-level tiredness is, if I just had a few GCSEs and experimenting with my hair then it wouldn’t get in the way so much
I’m going to to try and contact my GP and see if I can drop to 12 or even 14. Or put up with the sleepiness until my 3 month review.

Indeed.. I didn’t even get to see a GP, but the practice nurse, who was very nice but didn’t really have a a clue.

Not sure where 15 days comes from!

The dose is on the leaflet.

12 days

14 days for women (as an option) if they need more to have a lighter withdrawal bleed.

My cycles had moved to 30 days over the last few months plus very heavy bleeds for 2 days of a 6 day period, so maybe that’s why. GP very receptive to contact and questions, so she won’t mind if I clarify. Or stick with leaflet dosage and tell her at review.

HRT isn't based on your own cycles.

HRT overrides a natural cycle and the bleed is a withdrawal bleed (not a real period.)

Hardly anyone has a 28 day cycle (it's an average, based on normal cycles of 21-35 days for all women.)

For medication, manufacturers will use the 'average' cycle.

You might be interested to know that there is the option of an 84 day cycle- 12 weeks. There is an HRT called Tridestra which is this, or it can be created with any combination of estrogen+progesterone. (I was on it for some years with gel and Norethisterone.)

The absolute minimum (and this is on GP HRT guidance info) is 10-12 days of a progestogen per 84 days.

So there is nothing at all wrong with using 12 days per month.

Anyway- check with your GP but unless they have done some specialised HRT prescribing course, they may not be aware of these options.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells I will look into that as the progesterone effects are sort of cancelling out the oestrogel effects (which have been amazing since about day 3 of applying it!) and I want the minimum prog possible if that’s going to continue. GP very knowledgeable, has had input into the Balance app / Newsom research etc so the 15 day thing against the leaflet dosage did confuse me a bit. She’ll be very receptive to questions I’m sure.

OP, sorry for hi-jacking your thread - I was going to start one about Gepetrix but saw there were a couple already.

Hi if anyone can help me with a small query…I have just picked up my first prescription of progesterone (Gepretix) my instructions are to start on day 15 and end on day 26. I am already on day 18 of my cycle. Can I just start taking it and be 3 days short of it this month?

I have also been prescribed oestrogel which I will start today for the first time too.