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Anyone take Dr Reddys Progesterone vaginally?

9 replies

Elefontaine · 22/02/2026 21:52

So I’m going to ask my GP surgery first thing tmro but they can take a while to respond. I’m 42 and have been getting some perimenopause symptoms so my GP (after much begging) has put me on Oestrogel 1 pump a day on skin and Dr Reddys Progesterone 100mg.

im struggling with reflux when I take the Progesterone orally, I read online that you can maybe take these vaginally instead? I wondered if any of you do this and if it helps with side effects?

I’m also a little anxious as a newbie to the cancer/clot risks with all this. If anyone is able to e plain this to me it would be amazkng. GP did mention this but not very well. Aside from current symptoms for this (and bad globus) I dont have anything other than IC which I’ve had for 7 years and take pregablin for at night.

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Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 07:44

Bump

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JinglingSpringbells · 23/02/2026 08:13

What is Dr Reddys?

There is no such prescribed brand of micronised progesterone, so it's a bit puzzling.

You'd be prescribed Utrogestan or Gepretix- brand names but the same thing.

JinglingSpringbells · 23/02/2026 08:29

Are you in the UK?

I've checked out Dr Reddy's and it's Prometrium- it's unusual as most women get Utrogestan or Gepretix.

I can't say if it's ok to use it vaginally . None of them are licensed for that in the UK, but they can be used that way off-licence and some GPs are fine with this, others aren't, but private consultants usually are as it's used that way in Europe.

It depends if the outer coating of Prometrium will dissolve when used vaginally.

Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 08:52

Thanks so much both, yes I’m in the UK. I’ve attached a photo of them. Google says I can take them vaginally but I wanted to double check. I’ve called my GP but I’m not sure when they’ll be able to get back to me. Just don’t want to do another day with them orally if I can help it…

Anyone take Dr Reddys Progesterone vaginally?
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JinglingSpringbells · 23/02/2026 09:23

Your GP may say no simply because it's not licensed. It depends on how your GP feels about this.

Some GPs don't sanction it but women choose to do it anyway.

I'm confused about your dose.
If you're in peri you don't use progesterone daily.
The dose is 200mgs for 12 days a month, on a cycle.

If you feel you're not sure about other things to do with HRT, there is masses online that you can read. Breast cancer risks don't apply to women your age as you're just topping up your own level of estrogen. Micronised progesterone doesn't come with a clot risk which applies more to synthetic types of estrogen and tablet form.

Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 09:41

Yes I’m only on it 12 days a month. The rest of the time just the estrogen gel. I’m happy to go against what the GP says if they say no provided I know this brand can be used vaginally and works just as well. Reading online it appears to be fine but always feel better if my GPs given the go ahead as they’re hormones and I don’t want to mess about with them.

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Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 12:11

@JinglingSpringbells the GP just called they’ve prescribed me Utrogestan to take off label vaginally. She said they can’t guarantee how well it will work to protect the endo lining as trials aren’t quite there yet so it’s made me a little nervous but I don’t think I have a choice unless I stop altogether. She was absolutely lovely and is going to call back in a week to see how things are going. I think I need to do some serious reading it’s all a bit of a minefield!

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JinglingSpringbells · 23/02/2026 13:16

Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 12:11

@JinglingSpringbells the GP just called they’ve prescribed me Utrogestan to take off label vaginally. She said they can’t guarantee how well it will work to protect the endo lining as trials aren’t quite there yet so it’s made me a little nervous but I don’t think I have a choice unless I stop altogether. She was absolutely lovely and is going to call back in a week to see how things are going. I think I need to do some serious reading it’s all a bit of a minefield!

That's all good!

There is no research in the UK on vaginal use but it's been used that way for years and years in Europe and is supposed to be more effective.

Elefontaine · 23/02/2026 13:21

@JinglingSpringbells I’ve just read the exact same thing! Great news. Thanks very much for your help.

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