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[Clarella]

A colleague just takes it with food as she likes a snack and hasn’t noticed any ill  effects. Finds she sleeps v well for first time in years.

 I’ve seen some posts where consultants have told women to take with food in order to increase absorption and *increase* effect on womb lining. Is this right? Is it how it works?

[Katherine]

Hi, I’ve never seen that written anywhere. I’ve done it but didn’t like the sedated feeling at all so haven’t done it since.

[Zoe]

A colleague just takes it with food as she likes a snack and hasn’t noticed any ill  effects. Finds she sleeps v well for first time in years.

 I’ve seen some posts where consultants have told women to take with food in order to increase absorption and *increase* effect on womb lining. Is this right? Is it how it works?

Yes, there is research evidence to say that taking utrogestan with food increases bioavailability. It is recommended that it is taken on an empty stomach to try and ensure greater consistency of dose day to day. However, if you take it with food it is not going to be a problem if you find it doesn't make you too drowsy. All it will do is make more of it available to your body.

Think there are other threads on this if you can find them. I usually take it on an empty stomach but wouldn't be too fussed if I had to have a light snack before or after.

[Zoe]

Here's a link to a paper that says taking utrogestan with food can double its absorption.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8513955/

[Clarella]

Thanks for your help.

I’m on thyroxine and believe it can increase t4 circulation so I suppose consistency is key

[Zoe]

Yes, and taking utrogestan vaginally offers even more consistency than orally because it doesn't go through your digestive system. I take it orally because it helps me sleep!

My own menopause specialist put me on continuous, 100mg per night, utrogestan for more consistency during the month. She was happy with this because I am late perimenopausal and have been on HRT for more than a year. I don't have any unexpected bleeding on this regime so it does help with consistency.

Not everyone can achieve that during perimenopause. But if you are someone who doesn't seem to have a problem with breakthrough bleeding, it might be helpful if your doctor approves.

[Keep On Swimming]

Thanks for your help.

I’m on thyroxine and believe it can increase t4 circulation so I suppose consistency is key

Hi Clarella,

I'm on L-Thryoxine too and I was wondering if taking progesterone orally has affected your T4 dose? I haven't started progesterone (yet) because my gyne here in France hasn't prescribed that part of the HRT package. I'm working on it...!

Thanks xxx

[Ellie O]

Dr Heather Currie advised me to take Utrogestan after meal, to increase the absorption. I don’t have any side effects.

[Petra]

That's interesting! I just started on it (100mg dailly)and have been rigorously taking it on an empty stomach per the script, about 6 p.m. each day and I think it's helping me sleep.

Good to know it's OK to take with food...not sure how much consistency of dose I need anyway...

[Ellie O]

I am also trying to take Utrogestan in the morning, after breakfast. It seems that I sleep better when I take Utrogestan in the morning. When I take in the evening, I cannot sleep.

[Zoe]

Dr Heather Currie advised me to take Utrogestan after meal, to increase the absorption. I don’t have any side effects.

I have often wondered why more people don't do this rather than increasing the number of tablets. I know many people react badly to utrogestan but many of us don't.

Would be helpful to see more research on the benefits of micronised progesterone, esp given that it seems to drop before oestrogen does.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

I believe that some ladies find that progesterone is a calming hormone and they may benefit from taking Utrogestan after food as the increased absorption may be helpful to them.  The ladies who are currently using progesterone cream might want to experiment with using Utrogestan in this way.

I personally haven't used Utrogestan for some time and when I did I am not sure that I noticed any side effects, I attributed feeling rubbish to the menopause generally and my constant fiddling with my Oestrogen dose lol.
 I am also one of those people who has to have a late supper so taking it orally on an empty stomach at bedtime was never going to work for me. I was then advised to use it vaginally which was okay but then my Oestrogen was too high and I started bleeding etc.

I always had misgivings about using Utrogestan vaginally after a pharmacist queried  how a capsule could be designed to work in two very different environments.

I am now using Cyclogest pessaries which I believe are usually used for fertility treatment and I don't have any problems with them.

I hope this is helpful in some way ladies.

Wishing you all well and take care.

K.

[sheila99]

Kathleen utro is licenced for oral and vaginal use in the rest of Europe so presumably it has been rigorously tested this way. Also the 200mg capsules which I was prescribed are licensed only for vaginal use and only for ivf not hrt. I think it's just the bureaucracy.

[Clarella]

Thanks for your help.

I’m on thyroxine and believe it can increase t4 circulation so I suppose consistency is key

Hi Clarella,

I'm on L-Thryoxine too and I was wondering if taking progesterone orally has affected your T4 dose? I haven't started progesterone (yet) because my gyne here in France hasn't prescribed that part of the HRT package. I'm working on it...!

Thanks xxx

Hello, I’m not sure yet. I wondered if I was a tad hyper the other day but also wonder now if hormones still settling after both my 100 patch upgrade (almost 3 months) and taking utro more continuously.

My Gp is good at checking though. I’m trying to take thyroxine consistently so I may be able to check. Tsh has been consistently 0.2/0.3 but t4 within range.

I noticed the research was based on 300 mg utro so my current regime may not affect it. (100 orally, 100 vaginally.)

I’ve just done a 3 day break and zero bleed or hormonal crash so I think this or just straight continuous is better for me.

*I took the decision to add one vaginally after a Gp friend mentioned I should ideally be on more with more oestrogen, after her dr curry training! Will speak to my Gp next week.

[Clarella]

I am also trying to take Utrogestan in the morning, after breakfast. It seems that I sleep better when I take Utrogestan in the morning. When I take in the evening, I cannot sleep.

That’s v interesting.