When do Progesterone side effects lessen in the cycle?

[maybeCornish]

Do the side effects of progesterone lessen after the first lot of 12 days? I am on day 7 and ready to give up.

I have patches changed twice a week and Utrogestan on days 1-12. Orally it made me violently sick but even switching to vaginally from day 2 I feel awful. Bloated, nauseous, dizzy, barely any appetite but I swell up to the size of a house by the evening and can't wear anything with a waist band. Ridiculously tired all the time and would gladly be in bed all day if I could. I am 50 but my kids are still in primary school and need me (mild SEN) so taking time off from family life and work are not options I can consider.

Once I get to day 13 will I feel better? If not this is not going to work for me and I'd rather put up with perimenopause symptoms than feel physically so ill. Mirena coil is not an option for me so please do not even suggest it.

Please tell me it gets better on day 13 when I don't take the progesterone!

How long have you been on it as was going to say it should settle down as I had awful issues with it taking it orally, felt suicidal and could not function at all. Am taking it nightly as on continuous and since I changed to continuous my tummy is also bloated but no periods so that is a plus as having periods up to age 54 until I changed to continuous. I need to find something myself for this so let's hope someone comes along to offer some help. I know just when we get one issue sorted with hrt and all is ok for a bit then something else pops up. Try to rest when you can, have peppermint tea and lots of water.

I have been on them a week, yesterday was day 7. I take them vaginally at night before bedtime but the symptoms seem to be continuous the don't lessen during the following day.

I felt suicidal with it. Now have a Mirena. It’s suited me well low continuous dose. No peaks.

The effects should wear off once you've finished the 12 days.

Utrogestan doesn't suit everyone.
There are plenty of other options.

It's a bit of a double edged sword- Utrogestan has become the default prescription because it might be safer long term re. breast cancer, but in all honesty, it doesn't suit all women.

There are other types of hrt such as the tablet form Femoston where the progestogen is almost as safe as Utrogestan.

Also, you can use Utrogestan on a 3-month cycle, (this is in the NICE prescribing guide) where you take it for 14 days every 12 weeks.

I wish more GPs knew about this as it works well for lots of women in peri.

I'd give your HRT a couple of months and if it's still making you feel awful discuss other options.

Personally, I feel fine on Utrogestan using it vaginally, except for a bit of local irritation so I swap to oral for a day or two sometimes. I've used it for around 10 years.

I think GPs should manage expectations a bit more. I was told (by my consultant) that it's very much a love-hate drug and that it's something to try but be aware not everyone gets on with it.

Thank you, counting the days to day 13 then! I can't believe I suffer so badly with the side effects. I have never had hot flushes and the HRT has brought them on! I was exhausted last night but could sleep because I was so hot.

Also, you can use Utrogestan on a 3-month cycle, (this is in the NICE prescribing guide) where you take it for 14 days every 12 weeks
this is interesting- I'll look it up and suggest it. The idea of going through this roller coaster again on the first 12 days of every month is filling me with dread.