Hi Kathleen
Just to confirm that vaginal absorption of progesterone alows more to get to the uterus and protect the lining than the same dose used orally.
Also yes if you've been fiddling with the regime then this is bound to mess things around. I seem to remember when you first discussed this I suggested just going for a normal length cycle to start with - which you had never tried I don't think (?) - and seeing what your bleeds were like, before gradually increasing your cycle length until you arrive at a cycle that suits your oestrogen regime and controls the bleeding sufficiently. You have gone straight for a longer cycle and increased your oestrogen, and assuming you are absorbing it well then this could account for the heavy bleeding (provided there is nothing amiss in your womb eg polyps or fibroids etc).
Did you change from using utrogestan 200 mg cyclically eg 12 days per two months or something to 100 mg daily? If so at what point in your cycle did you change?
The other thing is that daily utrogestan is far more likely to be the reason for your tiredness than the bleeding I would say - unless it is so heavy and you are lacking in iron - or have been confirmed with anaemia? It has a strong sedative effect that can also occur with vaginal use as more is absorbed systemically too from vaginal use - from what I've read. There is no way foir example that I would take it (prog) all the time and it's only when I emerge from the prog part of my cycle, the withdrawal and the bleed that I realise how s*** I was feeling and how much better I feel when just on oestrogen only!
Hello Kathleen,
That's not the recommended dose but if you're still bleeding that's what is recommended. I think Autumn27 has a similar problem and that's what her doctors have prescribed her. Here's the thread https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,42280.msg668068.html#msg668068
Two capsules vaginally would be a bit messy, but if you don't mind... I guess that's ok until you can have your prescription changed.
What about the coil? I personally don't fancy the idea but, tbh, bleeding is much worse. If there is something I absolutely love about menopause is being finally free from 40 years of monthly bleeding.
My fingers are crossed that this will work for you.
Conolly X
Kathleen - it's fine to increase the progestogen to control bleeding - it's what docs would suggest - but of course discuss with your doc. In fact in some of the papers I've seen 300 mg has been advised especially when used orally - but this is just not acceptable to most women so doesn't seem to have been adopted as one of the doses. This is probably the reason why Utrogestan doesn't seem to "work" in controlling bleeding in some women - because that higher dose has never been given as an option for (opposing) higher does of oestrogen.
As for the two x 100 mg Utrogestan capsules - this is the norm when Utrogestan is used for HRT cyclically - since the 200 mg capsules were withdrawn (even though the 200 mg capsule is still available for fertility). It is no more messy than 1 x 200 mg but dem balls are tiny as you know so a bit of a fiddle to poke 'em up at all!
Haha I know what you mean about fiddling with bits
. Every time my prog cycle and bleed comes round I swear it's time to stop - and like I said as soon as it's over and I feel great I just dread the alternative....
If any of this isn't clear re dosage and cycle etc do please ask again!
Hurdity x