Anyone take Utrogestan vaginally? What dose?

[Menoooo]

I have been taking Utrogestan for three years but I am starting to suspect it has been giving me side effects for about 18 months. I have also noticed (since I’ve started tracking) that when I’m on it, my HRV drops.

Anyway, I am tempted to try vaginally to see what that does. But I know my gp won’t support as it’s off licence and can’t afford a private appointment right now.

Does anyone do this? I currently take 200mg for 14 days. I have read that I would take 100mg (one tablet) for the same amount of time vaginally.

Would love to hear from people who do this and if it helps your side effects!

You have to take the same dose vaginally. This is in the British Menopause Society guidance. (I've also been advised personally by my specialist that there is no dose reduction and I've used it that way for many years.)

I'm not sure where you have read that half the dose is okay.
This was something that was around a few years ago, based on one small study/trial but it's since been reviewed and is not recommended now.

If you find the current doses give side effects, it would be best to seek a specialist opinion.

thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/14-NEW-BMS-TfC-Progestogens-and-endometrial-protection-FEB2026-B.pdf

(see half way down Page 1 of that link.)

Based on current evidence, if progesterone was considered for vaginal administration (out of license use) in women who experience side effects with oral intake, this should be given in similar doses and durations to those applied to oral progesterone intake with HRT.

Thanks, jingling, that’s good to know! I saw it on a video from the Newsome Clinic, although the video was a few years old.

Do you find taking it that way helps you? Is it the same in terms of periods but better for side effects?

I can understand that - the video.
There is very limited research on the dose vaginally and the guidance is there to prevent any problems. Now that more and more women are using it off-licence, vaginally, there has to be an agreement on what is safest.

I have heard both opinions- some consultants will permit half the dose or other variations on progesterone, and monitor how you are, and they may advise a scan every now and then, usually costing £300 (and not routinely offered by the NHS.)

I do have some side effects but different to orally.
I sleep badly sometimes, feel hotter, but don't have any drowsiness or brain fog the next day.

It's a case of trying it and seeing how you go.

Thanks jingling! I tried it last night and so far so good? I think! I don’t know if it all absorbed though as I wore a pantyliner and could see some had come out.

I slept badly but that was likely unrelated.

I can’t tell yet if it has calmed my previous symptoms but it was easy! I used my normal dose (two capsules).

Op. Did taking it orally make you feel anxious anc give you low mood. It was awful for my mood so I’ve come off my oestrogen patch and just use progesterone cream at the moment. Waiting to see a menopause specialist

Yes - it made me anxious and low mood but also I suspect it was causing some inflammation in my body. I’ve been tracking my HRV and inflammation and it is always worse the two weeks when I take urtogestan. Could be a cyclical coincidence, so wanted to try this method to see!

Sounds like you’re monitoring it well. It’s a minefield.

@Lizzbear Are you using the cream you buy online? If so, and it's the one I think, it can't be absorbed by the skin and it's a bit of a scam. It's been around for decades and if you dig into the science, it's not effective (and it's not 'allowed' as an option with HRT.)

It raises the body temperature as do all progestogens. Whether that equals more inflammation I don't know.

I do it. I take it vaginally all month (1 capsule) except the few days at the end of my cycle when sleep is difficult for me so I often take it orally. If I take orally every night I feel sedated and bloated. Works well for me this way. However I don’t have a womb. I have had a hysterectomy and I am taking it for prevention or endometriosis which I had pre surgery and I still have ovaries / am taking low amount of oestrogen gel hence they say I need the progesterone.