Utrogestan rectally anyone?

[Elefontaine]

I’ve just picked these up from my GP to use vaginally, I’m just worried they’ll irritate my bladder more as I have IC at present it’s been a bit calmer but when it flares it’s hell. I’ve read mixed things online about where they can be taken rectally or not so just curious about experiences. I will ask my GP but interested in what people have to say

Yes they absolutely can be taken rectally, it's just not a popular preference but perfectly well absorbed into the bloodstream via the rectal mucosa.

There is not a lot of published data regarding this in menopause but much more in the field of infertility.

Dr Louise Newson is supportive of rectal micronised progesterone use.

Your GP may or may not support this use depending on their level of knowledge, and the fact it falls outwith NHS guidelines.

@Charliede1182 thank you! I’m new to HRT so just catching up with all the reading. I read that using them vaginally means they release the progesterone close to the womb so I wasn’t sure if rectally would be too far away for it to work properly if that makes sense?! My GP seems to be very unsure/unhappy with anything that isn’t by the book and that’s what’s making me slightly nervous with it all

The rectum is still very close to your womb, there are only millimetres between your posterior vaginal wall and your rectum.

So it both gets into the bloodstream effectively AND does so in proximity to the uterus.

However just getting it into the bloodstream at all will suffice.

If your concern about delivering it close to the womb is because you want to take a reduced dose vs the recommended oral dose, whilst there is some evidence for this being effective, it is not reflected in official guidelines which recommend using the same dose vaginally or rectally as would be prescribed orally.

If using less than the oral dose you would be wise to get a scan periodically (not usually funded by the NHS- they would just tell you to take the recommended dose) to check your endometrium.