Progesterone..which type and route has least side effects?

[emlily]

Hi all I have recently started evorel 50 and have the other day started utrogestan 100 which i take 2 tablets of at night day 15-28. I have been feeling lots better on the evorel but the progesterone has made me feel really groggy to such an extent that i'm not functioning too well. I have read it has a sedative effect but wonder why I feel so doped up. Question is: will this feeling pass or is their a different route I could take progesterone ie patches or gel that have less side effects..what are peoples experiences of this? thanks

I couldn't handle Utrogestan at all, turned me into a zombie and I couldn't function . I know some have had success taking it vaginally, as It bypasses the digestive system (or something) and gives less side effects. That didn't work for me either.
The options were a coil, which I didn't want or an alternative progesterone. I ended up on another Progesterone, which is frowned upon as it isn't bio identical like Utrogestan is hailed as being. But I meant I could stay on HRT and feel some what normal, I've never had any issues and can't even feel I've taken it, which was a relief.

Others have said the effects lessen after time, so maybe stick with it for a little while longer if you've just started. It never got any better for me unfortunately.

Or try it vaginally if you haven't already but ultimately, there are alternatives if it doesn't suit. Not everything suits everyone. Good luck x

Thanks..for that. I too have been zombified so willing to try vaginal route and see how it goes.will chat to doc about it as need to get clear headed again! I have a MSc project in Jan and after feeling so clear headed on evoril am now feeling really foggy:(

I agree with the PP.
Ideally, you should give any new HRT 3 months as side effects can settle.

Using it vaginally is off-licence so your GP may not agree to that, although in reality they can't actually check what you're doing!

If you are happy with a patch anyway you could also use a patch with progestogen for half the month. The progestogen is Norethisterone.
Again, it's trial and error.

There is also another tablet form called dydrogesterone - Nalvee- which is almost as body identical as Utrogestan. It's only recently been made available in the UK and it seems some NHS trusts prescribe, others don't yet.

Thanks for above. Just realised my last message was a bit all over the place. I'm not sure I can wait for it to settle i'm afraid as am writing up my MSc which is due this Jan and I need to have a clear head to write. The GP got back quite promptly by text and said I could use vaginally even tho' off label (as you mentioned) so I think I will try that for now at least. Although he didn't mention whether to use full dose so may have to send another question . Patches do sound preferably though! So that's something I will chat to GP about when I get an appointment.

You use the same dose as for orally.
This is in the BMS guidance.

I did about three months on sequential HRT with utrogestan for two weeks a month, as you are currently doing. At my first review we changed it to continuous (so 1 tablet a day, no breaks) and I do feel much less groggy for it. Also my boobs don’t get sore anymore. To be fair, my reasons for changing were different but still, the side effects have lessened now. I was worried that as I’m still having periods and hadn’t been on HRT very long that it wasn’t the ‘correct’ route according to the guidelines, but apparently it’s fine and it’s working for me.

The utrogestan made me very groggy in the mornings to begin with, I tried taking earlier in the evening but it didn’t make much difference. After a few months it was fine and I take around 9-10pm now.

Quick update for those interested: Last night i administered vaginally and woke feeling much better so altho' not perfect option, I will keep with it via that route for now!

I take cyclogest vaginally- utrogestan made me depressed

Sorry to hear. The menopause makes everything so complicated! I wonder how men would cope with periods and menopause etc I'm imagining not very well!! I

Sorry to ask, but at there any side effects from taking it vaginally? Like discharge etc?

I'm taking 100mg daily in advance of a hysterectomy (my coil is being displaced by a fibroid, hence the operation, gynae wanted me on progesterone to protect my lining in case my coil isn't working) so only need it for the next couple of months if the operation goes ahead. I started a week as I'm off work but I have been so tired in the mornings! I thought maybe it was burn out and enjoying the unbroken sleep but I'm worried about the return to routine.

Other question: my period didn't happen - is that normal? The irony is that I'm having an op because the spotting and bleeding was incessant, it's now stopped! Fml... but I'll still have the op as I can feel the fibroid etc

Hi, I have had a bit of discharge but not much really. I definitely feel quite bloated etc on it.. but that's normal i guess and i can put up with that particular side effect. I know nothing about taking it vaginally before a hysterectomy though so you should check! Regarding period, it says I should have a bleed once i stop taking it..and I have just stopped taking it so will see if i start a bleed in next couple of days. Not sure regarding your situ if you should bleed though, sorry. I know what you mean about the bleeding, i too was bleeding incessantly than just sort came to a stop. It's a weird old time of life isn't it.

Its a bloody nightmare! I'm hoping that whipping out the main offenders will help. I'll likely retain my ovaries so will need to take estrogel as HRT.

Thanks for responding. I might pop one in and see what happens 😆

I couldn’t handle utrogestron so opted for Mirena coil which only release locally so if pf in your blood stream works well for me and never got on with contraceptive pill !

I am exactly the same on Utrogestron. It makes me really foggy-headed and tearful. On non-official advice from doctor I now use it vaginally which feels much better. Plucking up courage for Mirena next

Mirena for me was a life-changer. I started on utrogestran, orally then vaginally, but it just made me feel awful, but for some reason I resisted the coil for a year despite heavy, painful periods anc gp recommending it. I've had it a year now and feel human again.

I have a mirena and it has been fine, this is just because my fibroid is pushing it out of place so the gynecologist is worried its not effective.

That's good to hear @keepwalking- scared to commit in case it makes me feel as awful as oral progesterone. Vaginal progesterone still makes me feel tearful towards the end of the 2 weeks and gives me the worst period pain I've had for decades.