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[Jasmine20]

I know there is a long thread about Estrogel/Utrogestan but it's a bit overwhelming ploughing through the many pages so I've posted this separately. I hope that's ok.

I'm 52 and still have monthly periods although they have got lighter and shorter in the last 4 months (bleeding 3 days instead of 5). I've been particularly bothered by VA symptoms since the spring (lockdown from hell!) and have had trouble tolerating either Vagifem or Ovestin. I can use the latter externally on the vulva but even a small dose internally leaves me sore and irritated. So I decided to ask for systemic HRT and Imvaggis for VA to see if this helped.

I recently started the Estrogel/Utrogestan combination and my GP said take Estrogel 1 pump daily and Utrogestan 100mg days 1-25. I later thought this was odd as I assumed I'd be put on Utrogestan 200mg days 15-26 as I still menstruate - typically I only thought about this after the appointment.

On this regime, the Estrogel has given me more energy and focus but I have felt knocked out from the Utrogestan and did not have a period. I don't want to take it intra-vaginally as I have a sensitive bladder but I'm thinking even double the dose for 12 days would be better than feeling a bit of a zombie for 25 days.

It's early days but I'm wondering if:
1. The fatigue from the Utrogestan wears off over the months?
2. Should I be on a cyclic regime anyway as I still had monthly periods? In Dr Louise Newson's book she suggests a cyclic approach for 12 months for perimenopausal women.
3. Does systemic HRT tend to stop your periods anyway? I'm on day 29 with some period cramps but no sign of a bleed at all.

Thanks in advance.

(BTW I'm tolerating the Imvaggis well so far in case anyone is curious. My GP is the hormone specialist in the practice but I'm the first patient she's prescribed it for which surprised me).

[Dandelion]

It's ok with me, hope I can help.

Sorry to hear you have VA symptoms.

I recently started the Estrogel/Utrogestan combination and my GP said take Estrogel 1 pump daily and Utrogestan 100mg days 1-25. I later thought this was odd as I assumed I'd be put on Utrogestan 200mg days 15-26 as I still menstruate - typically I only thought about this after the appointment.

That sounds like a conti regime, if you are still menstuating normally wouldn't you be put on sequi?
My GP gave me conti femoston by mistake when I was peri years ago.

I would go back to your GP to ask why she gave you conti. You can do phone or video in some surgeries during COVID.

Utro is a sedative, best taken before bed, so you are not sleepy during the day.
IMO you should be on cyclic as you are not post meno but I am no expert, so I would see GP
I'm not sure about the last one, sorry, maybe someone on here can help or your GP

I'm surprised she gave you conti if she is hormone specialist

[Jasmine20]

Hi Dandelion

Thanks for your response.

I've been taking the Utrogestan at night on an empty stomach but still felt drugged the next day. I don't know if this is commonplace at the beginning and it wears off. I hope so!
But as you say, I should be taking it on a perimenopausal regime. I will contact the surgery tomorrow. That particular GP works part time so it's not easy to get a call back but fingers crossed!

[befuddled]

Hi jasmine, definitely give gp a call, it doesn't sound right to me either.  I only recently started on utrogestan, so don't really know much, but my gp decided that because my last period was around a year ago I was ok with 100mg 25days instead of 200mg 12days

[Jasmine20]

That's interesting Befuddled - thanks for your response.

[violetbat]

HI
I have been n the estrogel/utro combo for nearly a year.
I think it does really reduce periods. I scarcely bleed at all after 11 days of 22mg utro taken vaginally.

i have found it much easier to tolerate this way than taking it orally and I think it absorbs better.