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[Dawncam]

Well, day 4 of 100mg U vag route and I feel like a piece of sh*te stuck to someone's shoe.

The bizarre thing with U for me is whilst it eventually chews me up and spits me out, it also really helps with drying up sinuses and associated puffy eyes, joints are also a bit better and all general water retention and puffiness goes. But that's it.  The other usual suspects have all crept in and I'm now knackered and very down (just binned partner).

Seriously considering Mirena but had some issues with it in terms of how it sat in my womb about 3 years ago.

Anyone gone from U to Mirena with good results?

Only good stories please!

Dxx

[Peacegirl]

Well, day 4 of 100mg U vag route and I feel like a piece of sh*te stuck to someone's shoe.

The bizarre thing with U for me is whilst it eventually chews me up and spits me out, it also really helps with drying up sinuses and associated puffy eyes, joints are also a bit better and all general water retention and puffiness goes. But that's it.  The other usual suspects have all crept in and I'm now knackered and very down (just binned partner).

Seriously considering Mirena but had some issues with it in terms of how it sat in my womb about 3 years ago.

Anyone gone from U to Mirena with good results?

Only good stories please!

Dxx

I have no practical help, only heartfelt sympathy since I've been waking with killer headaches the past 2 nights (suspect progesterone but not utrogestan) but I've read good things on here about Milena. I really really hope you get sorted soon x

[walking the dog]

Hi dawncan
I have recently switched from utrogestran 200mg to mirena 5 weeks ago, as I felt dreadful on the utrogestran. Iwas terrified to have mirena as I was afraid of having permanent progesterone but so far so good. I dont feel ill I'm not even aware of its affects so I assume that must mean I'm going be ok with it.
I had got to the point where I had no progesterone options left except mirena so I decided to try it
Hope this helps ? Xx

[Dawncam]

Oh thanks peacegirl, that's kind.

Walkingthedog thank you for your info, very encouraging. I'd had a Mirena before but had post sex bleeding as it was lying in a strange position. I don't remember any other issues so think I'll give it a whirl. I'm too old to keep feeling like this every month - been there, done that!

Please let me know if you do start to have any probs.

Dxx

[Tinkerbell]

I couldn't function with the awful side effects from utrogestan and changed to the Mirena in April.
Apart from constant spotting for the first 4.5 months I have had no other side effects.

[Dancinggirl]

Dawncam - I found Utrogestan too problematic. I actually felt very chilled and relaxed when taking it (probably not so good) but I got nasty rashes on my face, erratic/problematic bleeding and spotting and lots of cramps.  I did have a Mirena for 4 years in my 50s with oestrogel alongside and that was far less of a problem.
If it's fitted well then a mirena may be your best option. The Mirena is a favourite with many gynaes as it can be the kindest option, the best way to protect the womb lining with minimal progesterone circulating the body.  Dg x

[Dawncam]

Many thanks Tinkerbell and Dancinggirl - lots of positivity!

Got GP appointment next week to arrange fitting. What's to lose? DG my specialist is VERY pro Mirena particularly for prog intolerant women. U makes me feel like a fart in a trance with backache and low mood. It's fine if you like that 'drugged' feeling but not on a regular daily basis. Maybe U is more suited to the women who get dreadful anxiety?

Dxx

[Mary G]

I wish I could have kept the Mirena coil for HRT purposes but unfortunately in my case, all forms of synthetic progesterone trigger migraines but only since I became menopausal - I didn't have migraines pre-menopause.

I think the reason so many women gravitate to Utrogestan (myself included) is because it is micronised progesterone and can be used vaginally and doesn't cause breast pain or digestive problems.  If other forms of progesterone could be used vaginally perhaps more women would try them. 

If you have problems with Utrogestan then the best thing to do is take 100mg vaginally for as little time as possible and have a uterine scan from time to time.  This is what I do and I can just about live with it, at a push.  It's pretty easy to see whether or not it is working because you will know by the type of bleed you have and obviously if you experience any breakthrough bleeding then you will need to adjust the dose. 

If you are having problems, the important thing is don't guess how much Utrogestan you need or stick dogmatically to the NHS recommended dose if that does not work for you and/or makes you ill to the point of giving up on HRT altogether.  Find out by trial and error and having a scan to make sure you are getting adequate clearance and thinning - see a specialist if necessary.  That way, you will find your level and this is vital if you are to succeed with this regime long term.

Note: the above comment is based on my own personal experience and only aimed at women who have severe problems with the progesterone part of HRT.

DG, if you had problems with Utrogestan, why didn't you get another Mirena fitted if you got on well with it?

[Dancinggirl]

At the time the Mirena needed changing I was a advised to try a break to see how I got on which I thought was a good idea.  However after a year without systemic HRT I thought I should try HRT again. I sort advice from a private specialist gynae and having read all the praise for Utrogestan I thought this would be ideal.
I have now been without systemic HRT for over 4 months and coping reasonably well - if I weren't, then I would be back to have another Mirena.

The NHS and NICE guidelines on the safe use of any HRT are very clear and to experiment can and does have consequences.
Having experimented with Utrogestan myself - tried sequi, conti, long cycle, low dose, I even tried it vaginally and actually felt worse, I also got horrid burning around my vaginal area as well.   
I really must caution everyone that experimenting can lead to many problems and must only be done under the supervision of a gynae - I spent a lot of money getting excellent advice from this gynae but with no positive results regarding Utrogestan.  To get the type of specialist gynae support needed to experiment safely with Utrogestan or any HRT, then one will probably have to go privately and not everyone can afford this - it is VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE.  I'm glad I had the support and guidance of this excellent gynae and it has helped me to where I am now.
My gynae told me that most women can tolerate any form of progesterone really well.  The Mirena is a favourite option for many gynaes as it can sort out many problems such as progesterone sensitivity and problematic bleeding.
I also think it is unrealistic to expect to feel good every day - most women get ups and downs through the natural menstrual cycle so we should expect to get this on HRT - poor Mary G is an extreme case of progesterone intolerance.

Dawncam - you are not happy using Utrogestan and you are not alone feeling this, so perhaps give the Mirena a go.  The Mirena can give some side effects initially but this quickly settles - good luck.  DG x

[Dawncam]

Thank you Dancinggirl - I too have spent A LOT on private specialist advice and I'm afraid the options really are limited. I've no intention of experimenting any further and having used U for over a year as prescribed (7 days 100mg) I've come to the conclusion that I just can't spend half my life feeling crap. I really do understand that U is probably the safest prog and is breast friendly and that I can't expect to feel amazing all the time, however, at 54 and 4 years post meno, I really don't want to keep having bleeds and what seems like pms for half the month. I've tried conti regimes in the past, both pill and patch (both contained norethisterone) and got on really well except for the dreaded low mood/depression. Both my private specialist and the consultant at local meno clinic are pushing Mirena and I think I should give it another go. I'm going into it with my eyes open - I know there may be problems, but there may not and they've promised to remove it immediately if necessary. Fingers crossed and thank you for all your help and advice. Think I'd be bonkers by now if not for this site!

Dxx

[Hurdity]

Hi Dawancam - sorry to hear you are feeling rough on utrogestan. I can't help with the Mirena but in terms of the utrogestan - if you want to persevere there are different ways of doing this!

Firstly - some women find the side effects each month are worse initially and then by the 4th or 5th day they level out as the body acclimatises and has made the physiological changes from the progesterone.

Secondly I have posted elsewhere how I make sure I use vaginal oestrogen daily for about a week before I start the utro in order to ensure my tissues are well plumped up which in my head, might have a chance of limiting systemic absorption. This is of course if you are using vaginal oestrogen - and if not, I would get onto it!

Thirdly - but doesn't apply to you - last month I let myself in gently by starting with 2 days x 100 mg then went up to thr 200 mg finishing up with 2 days x 100 mg again - to try to mimic a little the body's gradual increase during the normal menstrual cycle - and again to get my body used to it rather than a whole lot at once. Don;t think this would work with 100 mg though as there is no smaller dose.

Finally - and most important - as I am post-menopausal - from 2011 I started to take HRT on a long cycle ie 6-8 weeks (with my doc's approval), so I only start a course of utro every 6-8 weeks and I take it for 12 days x 200 mg. This give me at least 4 weeks and a couple of days on oestrogen only - sometimes longer if I stretch it to 8 weeks. This means that even if I experience negative side effects (migraine sometimes, foggy head, exhaustion etc) I only get them for a few days at most and I can put up with these for the sake of the rest of the blissful time on oestrogen only.

The long cycle is not for everyone and not really until women are post-meno or nearly so - and also probably not for those who have fibroids (unless really small) or have experienced bleeding problems, but it might be worth exploring with your doc?

However the Mirena is tempting re no bleed! I was offered it (during a hysteroscopy - by a gynae who was also keen on it!) but apart from when I first started HRT have only ever used progesterone and not synthetic progestogens, so personally did not want even a little to get into my bloodstream. However it is a matter of personal preference. No HRT regime is going to be perfect and there will probably be some disadvantages or side effects whichever we choose so you have to go with the one that works best for you at least in the short term - and then maybe reconsider if using long term according to other criteria.

Yes Dancinggirl I agree!

Good luck Dawncam!

Hurdity  x

[Dawncam]

Hi Hurdity - thank you so much for all the detailed info on U uses. As I'm on quite a high patch (75 estradot), I'm not sure a long cycle would be advisable? Also, I think you replied to me once saying you slightly increased your E when using Utrogestan- is this the case and was that suggested by gynae? I know that utrogestan knocks out some E absorption but not sure how much and this may explain why I feel so low.

Would you let me know.

Many thanks

Dxx

[Dana]

I will admit that the thought of a mirena terrifies me because I'm so scared of having something "permanent" done, but if I want to continue to take estrogen indefinitely, and I don't want to risk another permanent solution of a hysterectomy, then a mirena might have to be something I consider. Why is it so hard to be a woman...

[Dawncam]

Hi Dana - I don't think it should be this difficult - I think anti d's are handed out/more profitable than hrt and the government are happy to keep it that way.

I've had a Mirena before and don't remember having problems other than it was in the wrong part of my womb and caused post sex bleeding. It wasn't painful just annoying.

I'm going for it, don't want a hyster and can't take another day of utro. Also don't want what feels like periods anymore, having had a good Conti regime previously (apart from depression) id like to return to that.

I really hope it works.

Thanks for posting.

Dxx

[Hurdity]

Hi Hurdity - thank you so much for all the detailed info on U uses. As I'm on quite a high patch (75 estradot), I'm not sure a long cycle would be advisable? Also, I think you replied to me once saying you slightly increased your E when using Utrogestan- is this the case and was that suggested by gynae? I know that utrogestan knocks out some E absorption but not sure how much and this may explain why I feel so low.

Would you let me know.

Many thanks

Dxx

Hi Dawncam - no that wasn't me - it was Stellajane and I remember reading she is moving house so won't be on here for a bit! I don't know about the effect of progesterone on oestrogen's effects - however in the uterus that is its function ie to interfere with the effects of oestrogen in stimulating the womb lining. I know that synthetic progestogens do have adverse effects elsewhere in the body which can account for some of their negative side effects and perhaps health effects, but I haven't read enough about whether progesterone can interfere with oestrogen receptors elsewhere than the uterus. it could just be that a higher dose of oestrogen makes you feel even better and therefore not notice the negative effects of progesterone - ie they are both working at once - a bit like in pregnancy I suppose when levels of both are very high. Although women feel exhausted they (we!) also feel amazing at the same time! I would be interested to read about this if anyone has researched it.

I am managing a long cycle on 62.5 mcg - I suppose it depends on whether you mind having a heavier bleed - it's all about balancing the pros and cons. If I knew that no synthetic progestogen would get into my body I would have a Mirena like a shot - but some of it does go systemic - so personally I won't at the moment - but like Dana there may come a time when that is the least bad solution. Whether a gynae would fit one to an anicent old bird - who knows

Hurdity x