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Original poster

Utrogestan differences?

80 replies

LemonBossy · 25/01/2025 13:21

Has anyone noticed a difference between taking the usual Utrogestan made by Besins in France, and the slightly different in appearance (box) ones made for Besins in Spain.

I take Utrogestan and Estrogel everyday and no longer have a bleed, or any mood fluctuations, PMT etc. about 2 years since my last period.

I've just finished a run of two boxes of the newer type of Utrogestan and went to collect my new prescription and had a lightbulb moment.

I've been feeling really shitty for the last few months - that spiky, red hot bad mood that I associate with PMT - and when it's not that, I'm low and miserable, paranoid as hell and just feeling bad.

I know there is some thought about the Estrogel in a similar way and I've experienced that too - is the same happening with Utrogestan? Or am I going mad? Will anyone believe me if I ask about it? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
ClaraMc · 17/02/2026 11:48

Yes I have had similar issues. Headache in the morning, poor mood and horrible skin breakout around my jawline. Now started bleeding /spotting too. Finally realised this had coincided with the new Spanish Utrogestan tablets I was prescribed. I think the hormone level in the batch is incorrect/ different to the French version.

ClaraMc · 17/02/2026 20:21

It’s definitely different you are not imagining it

hedgheog · 18/02/2026 08:40

JinglingSpringbells · 18/01/2026 13:15

One thing to bear in mind is that micronised progesterone (whatever its brand name) is quite unstable compared to other synthetic progestins.

Depending on if you've eaten, not eaten, and your own hormones if you're in peri, it can have different side effects..

I've used it for around 12 years. It's always been Utrogestan .

I have noticed differences each cycle even though it's the same product, used in the same way.

Sometimes I will have a headache taking it orally, just for one day.
Sometimes I will feel bloated.
Sometimes I have really vivid dreams and get very hot at night.
Sometimes I get a withdrawal migraine at the end of the 12 days.
Sometimes the bleed starts 2 -3 days early. Sometimes it's 4 days after stopping the tablets.

Sometimes none of these ^ happen!

Just saying as it's not necessarily the brand. As a PP ( a pharmacist) said earlier today, the tablets have to be the same and undergo very thorough quality control regardless of the name on the box.

Edited
Show quote history

Same here. I have different symptoms each cycle and different foods affect it quite a bit.

lpls · 20/07/2026 16:26

Did those who noticed differences in Estrogel and Utrogestan resolve the issue. I have done a comparison and the estrogel is definitely different. I bled on it two years ago, then went back to the old tube shaped bottle and was fine. I can no-longer get the old one, and now bleeding again. I also noticed a difference when they changed from Utrogestan to whatever they call it now. Headaches, feeling crap. I changed to administering it vaginally and was ok. But now the bleeding for 10 days after the new shape bottle of estrogel. I don't know what to do. I don't want to stop HRT as I'm taking it for osteoporosis. I know everyone says they are exactly the same, but they are not.

JinglingSpringbells · 20/07/2026 17:10

lpls · 20/07/2026 16:26

Did those who noticed differences in Estrogel and Utrogestan resolve the issue. I have done a comparison and the estrogel is definitely different. I bled on it two years ago, then went back to the old tube shaped bottle and was fine. I can no-longer get the old one, and now bleeding again. I also noticed a difference when they changed from Utrogestan to whatever they call it now. Headaches, feeling crap. I changed to administering it vaginally and was ok. But now the bleeding for 10 days after the new shape bottle of estrogel. I don't know what to do. I don't want to stop HRT as I'm taking it for osteoporosis. I know everyone says they are exactly the same, but they are not.

The most recent bottles of gel are the cyclinder shape ones- assume you mean that when you say 'tube shape'. They have a use-by date of 2028. Is your pharmacy not providing those?

If you're bleeding at odd times, maybe see your GP?
You don't know for sure it's the gel or if you've something that needs looking at with a scan.

What sort of bleeding is it? Spotting outside the withdrawal bleed? Full-on period like bleeds?

Being totally honest, and I know this is me, I've used it for over 15 years and the bottle has changed numerous times. I did have doubts about Estrodose (and so did my consultant) but they assured me that otherwise the gel was the same, whatever the bottle shape.

You could consider Lenzetto or a patch if that might work better?

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