Progesterone intolerance

shonapop · 2026-10-07T20:32:03+00:00

I use progesterone (Zentiva) for 14 days of my HRT cycle. Days 10-14 my mood drops dramatically and doesn't begin to pick up again for a week. I always suffered horrendous pms but this is off the scale. Can anyone offer advice or relate? I've been on hrt for 6 months, this particular regime only 3 months. It has definitely improved my life in that I am mostly enjoying existing again...apart from on those days.

ILoveListeningToRainAtNight · 07/10/2026 21:34

In my experience, doctors will suggest you try another form of progesterone if one doesn't agree with you. None of them agree with me so I'm making do without HRT.

LivingThe50sDream · 07/10/2026 21:37

Progesterone tablets made me really down and depressed. A Mirena coil (for progesterone) stopped it instantly.

frick · 07/10/2026 21:43

Hello. I empathise as have a very similar response to progesterone. I take a different brand to you - Utrogestan (can never remember how to spell it 😂). Not sure if your progesterone is a pill - but, my friend told me that there are less side effects if it’s taken vaginally. I was sceptical, but spoke to my GP who said she’d heard of it being taken this way. Although it’s off licence for vaginal use in the U.K, she said it’s essentially the same medication as used vaginally in other countries, and to try it. I’ve really found it has far less side effects now I take it vaginally. And because it’s more localised taken that way, so more effective, I can take a lower dose - 1 pill instead of the previous 2 I was taking orally.
Don’t get me wrong - that part of the month is still definitely not my favourite! Still have low mood and higher anxiety has also now joined the party. But the mood decline is definitely less dramatic than it was previously. Might be worth talking to your prescriber and seeing if vaginal use is an option for you?
Good luck. X

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/10/2026 21:48

@frick I do the same after advice on here, I was out on the oral capsules and within a week i was so depressed, since using them internally I have had no side effects to the extent that I am a bit worried they aren’t working 🤣 since moving to continuous oestrogen and progesterone my whole mood is just so much more balanced and level , I still get a touch of pmt but nothing like I was getting.

Periperi2025 · 07/10/2026 21:49

I hated utrogestan with a passion. I found it slightly better used vaginally and when used continously rather than sequential, but it still caused me severe hyperaurosal insomnia, which is the opposite of what a lot of women experience. After 2 years I switched to a Mirena coil and I sleep the best I have for a decade.
We are all different, it can take a bit of experimenting.

JinglingSpringbells · 07/10/2026 21:51

frick · 07/10/2026 21:43

Hello. I empathise as have a very similar response to progesterone. I take a different brand to you - Utrogestan (can never remember how to spell it 😂). Not sure if your progesterone is a pill - but, my friend told me that there are less side effects if it’s taken vaginally. I was sceptical, but spoke to my GP who said she’d heard of it being taken this way. Although it’s off licence for vaginal use in the U.K, she said it’s essentially the same medication as used vaginally in other countries, and to try it. I’ve really found it has far less side effects now I take it vaginally. And because it’s more localised taken that way, so more effective, I can take a lower dose - 1 pill instead of the previous 2 I was taking orally.
Don’t get me wrong - that part of the month is still definitely not my favourite! Still have low mood and higher anxiety has also now joined the party. But the mood decline is definitely less dramatic than it was previously. Might be worth talking to your prescriber and seeing if vaginal use is an option for you?
Good luck. X

@frick
Has your GP suggested using half the dose? Have they read the guidance from the BMS?

The dose has to be the same. The British Menopause Society has stated this in their guidance on progesterone use with HRT. It has to be the same dose vaginally as orally. Their guidance is online. I won't link now- no time!- but it is there if you search.

I've used it that way for around 14 years. I asked my consultant a few times if it had to be the same dose - as the lower dose kept being mentioned online - but they are adamant it is the same dose.

frick · 07/10/2026 21:56

@JinglingSpringbells yes - it was the GP that suggested the reduced dose as vaginal application is apparently more localised/effective than oral. I’ll check the guidance though - thanks.

Original poster

shonapop · 08/10/2026 20:34

Thanks everyone. I have a GP appointment on Monday. Hopefully she will agree to the pessary idea as that sounds like my best option.

OP posts:

EssexCat · 08/10/2026 21:08

My GP also recommended vaginally which did make a huge difference to the side effects. Last month I went back to orally as it’s more convenient and I wanted to test it out.

Safe to say I will NOT be doing that again. I definitely felt my mood worsen and my anxiety rise. Plus my pre-existing heartburn was much worse last month which I think must also be due to the change in application method.

QueenAstrid · 08/10/2026 21:12

I took utrogestan orally and was constantly depressed, irritable and exhausted. Taking it vaginally was a bit better, but then I switched to Mirena and I’m like a new person. Better mood, better sleep, more energy. Can’t recommend it enough.

tfu · 08/10/2026 21:25

I’m also sensitive to progesterone but tolerate in the Everol Sequi patches - only other alternative I’ve heard of is the mirens coil