I was shocked to discover last week that Utrogestan® 200mg Capsules have been discontinued. As from 1 August 2014 women who take Utrogestan® 200mg to treat infertility or menopausal symptoms will have to ask their doctors to write them a new prescription.
Besins Healthcare Discontinue Utrogestan 200mg Capsules
Belgian pharmaceutical company Besins Healthcare, who are the Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer of Utrogestan® decided to pull the plug on the 200mg Capsules due to “low level use of this dose.”
My heart sank at this news because as far as I’m aware Utrogestan® Capsules are the only form of bioidentical progesterone available on the NHS. Utrogestan® is a micronised progesterone and structurally identical to the progesterone produced by a woman’s body.
Avoid Synthetic Progesterone
My pharmacist suggested I ask my GP to prescribe medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (trade names Provera® and Climanor® ) but I wasn’t keen as it is a synthetic form of progesterone and has well documented side-effects including depression, headaches, weight gain and lack of sexual desire, none of which sound very appealing.
Also, after my negative experience of taking synthetic HRT in the form of Prempak-C, I had vowed to steer clear of synthetic hormones.
More importantly, MPA in combination with oestrogen is known to increase the risk of invasive breast cancer whereas micronised progesterone does not increase cell proliferation in breast tissue in postmenopausal women.
After a bit of digging around on the internet I read on The Pharmaceutical Journal website that Utrogestan® 100mg Capsules and vaginal capsules 200mg are still available from Besins Healthcare. Hallelujah!
I phoned my GP and asked if he could change my prescription to Utrogestan® 100mg and double the amount he prescribed. This means that instead of taking one capsule I now take two in order to get the required dose.
The Importance of Progesterone in HRT
If you are menopausal, taking HRT in the form of oestrogen and still have a uterus it is really important that you also take progesterone.
It prevents the abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus which can cause womb cancer and ensures you to have a monthly bleed like a period in which you shed the womb lining.
Also bear in mind that Utrogestan® has a calming effect so it’s recommended that you take it before bed on an empty stomach on days 15 to 26 of your 28 day cycle. It will help you sleep better which is an added bonus.
If your pharmacist can’t fill your next prescription for Utrogestan® 200mg please don’t be fobbed off with synthetic medroxyprogesterone acetate. Ask your GP to prescribe Utrogestan® 100mg, double your dose (take two capsules instead of one) and all will be as before.
Hello, I use Utrogestan and when taken orally it made me very dizzy so was advised I could rub the contents of the capsule onto my skin. This has stopped the dizziness. Also, when taken orally 90% stays in the liver therefore only 10% is available for the body to use. The body naturally doesn’t utilize progesterone in the same way as it does when taken orally
Hi Liz. That’s very interesting, I’ve never come across that method of taking Utrogestan before but it makes sense. It’s always a good idea to bypass the liver if possible as not only is much effectiveness lost but it also creates more work for the liver to process. I have recently started taking Utrogestan vaginally and I have found that this way I don’t experience any of the mood symptoms I had before such as depression, suicidal thoughts and extreme irritability because the effects are localised rather than systemic.
I’m wondering if anyone has literally used 200mg Utrogestan (I got it OTC in Spain!) as a sleeping pill. I get dreadful insomnia caused by my menopause, so use various things including one of these every 4th or 5th day or so. It totally knocks me out!
I know it’s a shot in the dark, but does anyone know if this is ok?
Thankls!
Hi Rachel. I’ve never heard of Utrogestan being used this way but you’re right – it does make you sleep very well. I think you would just have to be aware of side-effects like bleeding, bloating, mood changes etc but as you’re using it sporadically it might okay. Are you on any other HRT?
Hi guys
I’m taking UTROGESTAN 100 mg my first 10 days , today I’m beginging the 2nd 10 days , just a question , I dont know if im pregnant , or mightbe how do i check ??Its confussing haha , but please help me .
Hi. Just asking. Im a 5 week pregnant im i have a spotting and minimal bleeding for 1 week. The doctor prescribe me utragestan once a day at bedtime, but in the first night a heavy blood clot was released from my vagina. And continuous bleeding after. Is this normal?
Hi Kaye. I’m afraid I’m not a medical professional and so I honestly don’t know. It does sound like something you should ask your doctor about as soon as possible, so why not make an appointment and put your mind at rest. I hope all is well.
I am taking Utrogestan 200mg and the first day it knocked me out like I took a sleeping pill. Now its a bit better but I sleep like a rock when I take it at night. Defnitely makes me drowsy.
Hi Amanda. Yes, Utrogestan has a very calming effect so it’s always best to take it before bed. I find I sleep so much better on the nights I take it.
Hmm … Utrogestan doesn’t have a calming effect on me, in fact quite the reverse. I feel completely wound up after taking it and have very restless nights. That said, I persevere with it because the synthetic alternatives are (even more) vile.
Hi Gilly. How interesting – I’ve never come across that reaction to Utrogestan before. Normally women say that it makes them too drowsy, if anything. I wonder if it has something to do with menstrual cycles. The instructions are to start taking Utrogestan on day 15 of the 28 day cycle. Day 14 is ovulation, when oestrogen levels are at their monthly high and according to this article I found – http://www.webmd.com/women/pms/features/why-pms-gives-you-insomnia – it could be that the energising effects of oestrogen are causing restless sleep. Or when you start menstruating, it could be that oestrogen and progesterone levels drop too quickly. Something to explore, perhaps? Speak with your doctor, it may be that you have to change the dosage of your HRT or adjust it at certain times of the month. I hope you get it sorted as restless nights are just awful.
Hi
I’m also feeling very restless on Utrogestan. I take one in the morning and two at night and don’t feel sleepy at all. What’s more I put on 12 pounds. So far I can’t tell any benefits from being on Utrogestan and I wonder if I shouldn’t just stop taking it. I basically feel nothing has changed, my libido hasn’t improved, I’m actually more energetic (though I’m not sure it is energy, more like nervous). Anybody else experiencing weight gain? It is the only thing that has changed in my lifestyle so there is little doubt for me that that is the reason.
Hi Anna. It may be that you are progesterone sensitive or intolerant. Anxiety or nervousness can be a symptom of progesterone deficiency, although it seems you are taking a pretty high dose if you’re taking three a day. Weight gain, depression and reduced libido are common side-effects for women who are sensitive to progesterone. Please talk to your doctor before you stop taking it. It may be that your dose needs to be altered or you need a different form of progesterone or it may be that your symptoms are to do with something else altogether. If you are taking oestrogen it’s very important that you take some form of progesterone so that you shed your uterine lining every month in the form of a period. This helps prevent endometrial cancer.