Are there any progesterone patches?

[Ambientroom]

Hi
I am on oestrogen gel and utrogestan capsules. The utrogestan helps me sleep but other than that I don't feel any benefits of hrt.

I'm about to start weight loss injections and there is new guidance around oral progesterone absorption. I can't have a coil so is there a topical alternative? I was on evorel patches previously but they didn't stick to me. My GP doesn't seem very clued up about or supportive of hrt so I thought I would ask here before I approach her and get confused.

There is no patch for micronised progesterone. Most of the transdermal patches contain Norethisterone.

If you're not feeling any benefits, have you increased your estrogen dose?

You can use Utrogestan vaginally if it's contraindicated for oral use with weight loss drugs.

What exactly is the new guidance? Is it specifically for Utrogestan? Or just any oral HRT?

Also interested in what the new guidance is please?

New guidance https://www.pcwhs.co.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/glp1_contraception_hrt_article.pdf

I’d use your utrogestan vaginally instead.

Does anyone know why there are no topical micronised progesterone available on the market? Is it down to absorption issues or something?

I really struggle with utrogestan tablets as I suffer from awful IBS and they very much upset my digestive system, even vaginally they give me lower bowel pain. I'd like to stick to body identical HRT but there are few options.

I'm not sure what benefits I should be feeling?

Do I use the same dose vaginally? That seems like the best solution.

Am I correct in thinking I can't continue to use the gel for oestrogen and a patch for the other element?

There are none. it's not absorbed through the skin in the same way and you'd need bucketfuls.

well ,why did you go onto HRT? What did you want it to do? You've have symptoms and expect HRT to reduce those.

Yes, it's the same dose vaginally.

There is no transdermal progesterone unless you use patches when it's in the patch along with estrogen. and it's not micronised progesterone.

Thanks for the link @AmbientroomI have shared the BMS one below.

I had an email exchange with a Dr at my weight loss injections provider after the BMS guidance came out a few days ago.

As I have been on injections for 9 months on the lower doses <5mg and only on HRT (Evorel 50 and continuous Utrogestan 100mg) since January, his take on it was the study is not extensive enough and there is limited data so for me it was ok.

He was happy for me to continue with oral Utrogestan but suggested it would be pragmatic to change to non-oral if I increase my weight loss injections dose and be alert to any signs of reduced progesterone efficacy.

If I increase dose I plan to switch to taking my utrogestan vaginally (after speaking to my own GP) for the first 4 weeks until it settles down.

The Dr said he had spoken to some patients on higher Mounjaro doses 12.5mg/15mg who had noticed reduced progesterone efficacy with some bleeding and periods as well. The BMS guidance is similar to the oral contraceptive guidance to have additional protection for the first 4 weeks of each new weight loss medication dose. WLI users who are on 12.5mg/15mg could have had 5-6 x 4 week periods where their progesterone efficacy had been impacted.

It makes sense to tread carefully and take extra precautions speaking to either/both your provider and GP.

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23-BMS-TfC-Use-of-incretin-based-therapies-APRIL2025-C.pdf

@JinglingSpringbellscan I ask a couple of questions about the practicalities of taking it vaginally - are there applicators to insert that you would recommend (I saw some on Amazon). Also if taking utrogestan daily and ovestin twice weekly do you know if it ok to insert both at the same time on the same night?

I went through the menopause in my mid 30s and I was refused hrt until my late 40s. I spent all that time knowing I should have been prescribed hrt but the gp said it wasn't necessary. I was eventually prescribed it but it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

These replies are very helpful, thanks!