More Progesterone questions

[Seasidewalker]

Hi all, I'm new to posting but have been a lurker!

I'm 54 and a half, in month 2 of Estradot 50 and 2 x 100 utrogestan. Was still having regular periods (who knew that this would be the thing I was finally above average for 🙄)

I was really wary of the progesterone as my symptoms were always worse in the second half of my cycle.

In month 1, I tapered in to the P, I took 1 for the first 5 nights then went up to 2. Had a big anxiety wobble after the first night but then settled and was fine even when I went up to 2. I missed it when I stopped as I slept really well. I had a bleed whilst taking the P.

In the second month, I took 1 x P for the first night and was fine so went up to 2 which was dreadful. I felt really "wired" overnight, high heart rate, didn't sleep for 2 hours and was really grumpy. Hugely different to month 1 where I tapered in

I've dropped back to 1 after persevering for three nights which feels fine and I'm having a bleed. I know I need to get back to taking 2, but presumably if I'm getting a bleed, I don't need to be too worried for this month?

I want to persevere with taking it orally as it seems easier and I know I can tolerate it as I did last month.

I'd be grateful for anyone's experience and advice, especially around only taking 1 at the moment but having a bleed.

I feel a million times better on HRT but just need to find the best way to deal with the progesterone.

You won't like this advice but anyway....!

You're not taking enough of it. The bleed is 'good' but if you take less long term you need to do that under a private specialist who can organise scans of the lining. Early bleeds come usually when the level of P falls away.

Also, it can take 3 months to get used to it.

The other thing is that no one finds it perfect. I use it vaginally and it always makes me hotter at night, restless, wide awake and just not great. But I'm on a tailored cycle of longer than 4 weeks it's monitored.

I think you've got to bite the bullet and use the full amount. If after a few months it's still an issue, perhaps see someone privately to discuss or consider a different type of hrt ?

Thanks, that was my concern. I need to give it another go at the higher level and I know I was fine after I tapered in last month.

Do you think 4 x 100 and then 10 x 200 is OK? That still gets me to 24 which seems to be OK (12 x 2).

That's practically what I did in month one and tolerated fine.

I'm under the Newson clinic and will have a review next month, I've just been tinkering which I guess is every medics worse patient!

I think I feel so much better on the hrt that I'm reluctant to feel bad again!

Thanks for your advice, it is appreciated

That sounds okay.

There are women on much lower doses (10 days is supposedly the minimum) but there is also the option of longer cycles. But with supervision.