progesterone dose for estrogel

[Taytotots]

Due to my lack of a primary healthcare provider (not UK) I need to try and work out my own hrt doses. I am late 40s and still have periods. Got prescribed estrogel by NP (Nurse Practitioner) but no progesterone. Can't see the NP again and anyway she was adamant I didn't need progesterone which from multiple sources including the drug info leaflet isn't the case I think.

I do have progesterone that was prescribed to me on its own for sleep. And think I can get a repeat prescription. It's 100 mg caps of micronised progesterone so seems like the right type.

From prescribing guidelines it looks like I need to take 200 mg progesterone on day 8-21 of a cycle . And estrogel day 1-21. two pumps gel (as prescribed by NP). With a cycle staring for day 1 of my period and then just repeating regularly.

If you could tell me if this is similar to what you have been prescribed that would be great. I know there is an option to take progesterone from a set day each month and that might be easier to remember (15-30th?).

I am trying to get proper medical guidance on this but we have a serious primary health care provider shortage here and pretty much my only way of seeing anyone is to sit for 10 plus hours in ER (which is allowed here for non urgent due to the shortage so no Mumsnet disapproval required!). I can't afford private at the moment.

The hrt is really helping though with all my peri symptoms.

I take 2×100mg of progesterone (gepretix), looking at the box it says "take 2 daily at bedtime for last 12 days of each therapeutic cycle starting from day 15 to day 26"
Tbh my 'periods' have never followed the pattern of my HRT so who knows what day i was on... so I just take the progesterone from one Monday to the next Friday and repeat that pattern every 4 weeks. Easier for me to remember that way 😂

Thanks @MotherBuckets that's very helpful! Now I just need to score a repeat of the progesterone through our online chat system which doesn't do hrt apparently 😂 (you get to online chat to a random np - fine for repeat prescriptions but they don't really do anything complicated and some of the advice I have been given is questionable!).

What country are you in ?

OP you use the oestrogen every single day. And progesterone day 12-24.

You use estrogen every day.

You use 2 x 100mcg of progesterone for 12 days a month.

It's easier to stick to the same date each month, like the 1st or the 15th.

If you can (and it's not essential) WHEN TAKING IT FOR THE FIRST MONTH you could try taking it 14 days into your own cycle, so it corresponds with your own progesterone. Day 14 is the 14th day after your period starts.

However- you can't do this every time, as your cycle will be all over the place in peri.

So if you do manage to take it mid-cycle, note the date and use the same date next month, etc etc.

@Helenloveslee4eva Canada. It was fine until our GP retired but now we have a wait list for a new one (can be years as 20% of population without).. We are meant to be getting a new drop in clinic soon though 🤞
Thanks @JinglingSpringbells and @Ilovelowry! that's very helpful.