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[Banjo1973]

Hi,

Please help me! You gals know way more than my GPs...

I have been on (somewhat) sequential HRT for 2 years now. Originally on Oestrogel and Utrogestan. I loved Oestrogel, but never got on with Utro - it makes me jittery, constipated and unable to sleep. Taking it vaginally eased the side effects a bit, but if I'm honest I only take it maybe 7 days every 3 months. I started taking testosterone (Tostran) around a year ago - I love that too. I went through a bad HRT period when Oetrogel changed (Besins might deny it, but I don't believe them) but I have now moved to Sandrena (2 x 1mg sachets) and am very happy with it.

I had a scan recently which showed my lining was fine (I know I'm very lucky)...

I'm beginning to find that Utrogestan is irritating to my vagina, I tried it rectally, seemed to be better, but most professionals don't think it's correct to take this way - so I asked my GP if they would be willing to prescribe Cyclogest.

I got this response:

You have been on a cyclic hrt for 2 years you now should be changed to estrogen and progesterone dose daily. This is meant to be better for the womb and after 6 months you should not have any further bleeds. There are a few options
1. use a combined HRT patch
2. use an estrogen patch, alongside one progesterone oral/vaginally. or we can insert a mirena coil
3. we cannot prescribe cyclogest pessaries in primary care this would have to be through a specialist


I am 50, still have regular periods (whether I take progesterone or not) - they're very light, but always have been.

Is it true that after 2 years I should move to continuous? My understanding is that I can still take it sequentially while in peri?

I am going to ask to see a specialist in my quest for Cyclogest - but I am really worried I'm going to be pressured into taking a daily tablet that makes me feel like crap.

Any help and advice most welcome

[sheila99]

I had the same argument as I don't get on with utro either. I'm 63 and still on sequi. They didn't like it but have accepted it. If you're still peri there's a good chance it's too early and you will continue to bleed. And they aren't watching... (though imo every 3 months is risky). I have been using it rectally for the last 4 months. So far I've had a decent bleed each time which is better than vaginally when it's 1 bleed every 2-3 cycles.

[Banjo1973]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for that, you've given me the push I need to ignore the GP.  I was a bit annoyed because the only reason they've suddenly come up with that is because I requested Cyclogest. If I'd have said nothing, then I never would have received that message.

I do remember you being a rectal utro guinea pig like me. Glad it's still working for you. I think I'll try it again next cycle.

Keep me posted about your utro journey, I think we have had similar experiences x

[Mary G]

Banjo, if you want to try Cyclogest it would be cheaper and quicker to buy it from an online pharmacy.  I really liked it and found it far more tolerable than Utrogestan.  I cut it into 50mg doses which worked well.

Why is Cyclogest not available on the NHS?  It's very cheap and I paid just a few euros for it. 

[Banjo1973]

Ooh Mary,

I am happy to do this, but how do I go about getting a prescription for it?

Or does the online pharmacy do the consultation and private prescription?

I'm new to all this!

[Mary G]

Banjo, you don't need a prescription, you can have an online consultation and they will send it in the post.

Alternatively, you could try ringing them tomorrow and they might do it by phone.

[KaraShannon]

Banjo

Just to add that I'm 53 (54 in the spring) and I'm still on sequi.

I was told that my periods 'will have stopped now,' and I should change, but I truly don't feel any different and feel I'm still having natural periods.  Everything works the same that way.  I know hormones will do that too but, I just feel instinctively that my periods would carry on even if on continuous.  Maybe not for much longer but for now.

I've been on sequi since 2019. I'm still battling with the idea that nature gives a cycle so shouldn't I stick with a cycle.  Not fully sure I understand continuous progesterone going in.  I would have to go on Evorel Conti because Utro didn't agree with me when I tried it.

I'm not keen on continuous progesterone in the patches because I find I'm slightly prolapsed a week before my period and while on the combined patch.  It feels like all my abdominal muscles down there are weak as well.  As soon as I'm back on the estradiol only patch the feelings go away.

Not medical advice, I don't know the research or evidence for what is right / wrong.  Just my thoughts 

[Banjo1973]

Ho Kara,

Thank you - I know people who have never taken HRT who still have periods in their early 50s I read up and it said "continuous 6 months - 1 year after last period".
I still get ovulation pains. I also still get pressured into getting a Mirena for contraception. They can't have it both ways!

Anyway, I'll look into getting some Cyclogest from an online pharmacy. Not sure if anyone is able to recommend one (MaryG if this allows, could you tell me, or send me a private link)

I'm so desperate I'm seriously considering an elective hysterectomy.

Thanks all xxx