Skipping progesterone for one cycle

[Bubblebathpanda]

Wondering if anyone has experienced similar or can give some advice please!

I’ve just come out of a (pretty rubbish!) doctors appointment because I’m really struggling with utrogestan. I’ve been taking it for almost a year, for two weeks at a time, thinking it will improve but it’s actually got worse (nausea, vomiting, horrendous bloating and very low mood.)

I’ve decided to try the Mirena coil but won’t hear back from the clinic for at least 4 weeks. I’m going on holiday next week and am due to start my progesterone a few days after arriving. I really don’t want to take it while I’m away, knowing that I’ll get all the above symptoms along with others.

Im considering skipping it until I’m back, I asked the doctor but she said they will only prescribe it, not advise how to take it other than the two week cycle. I asked if I could try taking a lower dose for longer (as I’ve read about on here) but again she wouldn’t answer, although I do understand they have to be careful - I’m probably just frustrated as it was a rubbish appointment all round really.

Has anyone done this in similar circumstances, or can advise if I do try it, when I should start taking the progesterone again before I switch to the mirena coil?

I’m 42 perimenopausal still having periods, if that makes any difference!

Thank you in advance 🙏🏻

It's fine to extend the estrogen only part by a few days or a week or two (but not on a regular, long term basis basis unless you're being monitored with scans.)

I've used HRT for years with an excellent consultant. I vary the cycle a little longer than 4 weeks (off licence), although it is monitored.

The dose is actually 12 days ( as on the leaflet) and the 14 days is for 'ease of use/ remembering' rather than a clinical reason. Women who use it for 14 days do so because they tend to have heavier bleeds on 12 days.

The best thing to do is to start taking it near the end of your holiday, which will mean you go 5 weeks or 6 weeks using only estrogen.

I wouldn't suggest you reduce the dose because this is likely to result in erratic spotting, maybe when you are away.

Thanks so much for replying. I’ve always found the timing confusing, the prescription label on the front says take for 2 weeks then have a 2 week break, but as you say, the instructions then say differently.

I’m supposed to start them again on day 3 of our two week holiday which would mean most of the time we’re there I’ll be battling the awful side effects. So do you think if I start again towards the end of the holiday and just go with that pattern until I’m able to get a mirena, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem?

You could do as you suggest- wait till nearer the end of your holiday.
Obviously I am only suggesting this based on my own experience and not advocating it as a general 'rule' for anyone reading.

One other thing- you know you can use it vaginally? That is the same capsules, inserted. Ideally at night, but any time (best to put your feet up for 30 mins to make sure they don't slip out.) Many women use it this way all the time to avoid side effects.

If you have to wait ages for the Mirena it's worth trying that way. Also, if you get really stuck, you can have a Mirena fitted privately by a meno specialist or private GP who is experienced, but you'd have to pay for the Mirena itself and the consultation.

Hope you enjoy your holiday!

I didn’t know it was the same capsules that could be used, for some reason I assumed they would be different!

You’ve been really helpful, thank you!