Utrogestan

Utrogestan is used together with oestrogen to treat symptoms of the menopause in women who have a womb.

Can I buy Utrogestan online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Utrogestan online for next day delivery following a consultation with a doctor.

What is Utrogen?

Utrogestan contains progesterone and is used with oestrogen. These are female hormones that occur naturally in the body. Together, Utrogestan and oestrogen act as a hormone replacement therapy (often referred to as HRT) for women who have a uterus (womb).

HRT is used to replace the progesterone and oestrogen that gradually declines in women as they get nearer the menopause. Utrogestan and oestrogen can help alleviate symptoms of the menopause, which occur as a result of the reduction in the levels of these hormones. These symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats, irritability and mood swings, and low libido (sex drive) and vaginal dryness.

During the menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels increase and the ovaries release an egg. Oestrogen also causes the womb lining to thicken. Progesterone levels then rise and make the womb lining hospitable to receive a fertilised egg. If the egg is not fertilised, the levels of both hormones drop, the lining of the womb (called the endometrium) is shed, and menstrual bleeding occurs. The reason for taking Utrogestan with oestrogen is that using oestrogen only can cause a build-up of the womb lining, which increases the risk of womb (endometrial) cancer. Using Utrogestan (progesterone) prevents the build-up of womb lining, and the womb lining is shed. Only women who do not have a womb (i.e., after surgery) should use oestrogen-only HRT.

It is important to understand that Utrogestan is not a contraceptive, and you may require protective measures to prevent pregnancy, particularly if you are younger than 50 years of age or had a menstrual period less than a year ago.

How to use Utrogestan

Utrogestan is a soft white capsule that is used once a day at bedtime (see below for variations in dosing). The Utrogestan capsule is swallowed whole (not broken or chewed) with water. It must not be taken with food, because food increases the amount of progesterone entering the blood. Taking it at bedtime reduces the chances of feeling dizzy or sleepy, which prevent you from driving or using machinery.

There are two ways of using Utrogestan; your doctor will tell you which way is best for you. The recommended way is to take 200 mg daily of Utrogestan (two capsules) for 12 days, starting on Day 15 and stopping on Day 26 of the 28-day menstrual cycle. The other way is to take 100 mg daily (one capsule) at bedtime from Day 1 to Day 25 of the menstrual cycle. The oestrogen is taken daily at the same time as the Utrogestan, and continued every day. Women usually have a withdrawal bleed (like a menstrual bleed) for a few days after Day 26. Your doctor may advise you to change your way of taking Utrogestan if you experience problems with your withdrawal bleeds. Women who are post-menopause take 100 mg Utrogestan daily.

Should you forget to take Utrogestan, then take it at the time of remembering and then at your next usual time. However, if it is almost your usual scheduled time for taking Utrogestan, then do not take the missed dose – only take the usual dose (not two doses) at the scheduled time. Get medical advice at a hospital if taking too much Utrogestan.

Who can use Utrogen?

Only women with a womb and who are postmenopausal can take Utrogestan. It should not be taken by women during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to a doctor about pregnancy and breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Utrogestan must not be taken by women with an allergy to progesterone or another ingredient (such as soya or peanut) in the capsule; have had/may have breast cancer, an oestrogen-sensitive cancer (e.g., endometrial cancer); vaginal bleeding; blood clots in veins (thrombosis) of the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism); blood factor deficiencies or the blood problem porphyria; blood clots in arteries causing angina, heart attack, or stroke; a bleed on the brain (cerebral haemorrhage); or have had liver disease and the liver function tests are still abnormal. Stop taking Utrogestan and contact a doctor immediately if any one of these conditions develops for the first time.

Before starting this HRT, notify your doctor if you have been told you are at increased risk of blood clots or oestrogen-sensitive cancer, or have/have had excess endometrial growth (hyperplasia) or growth outside the womb (endometriosis), fibroids in the womb, high blood pressure, migraine/severe headaches, liver disease or gallstones, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus (immune system disease), otosclerosis (ear disease), depression, and light-sensitive skin. These problems can get worse or reappear with HRT.

Women starting this HRT must discuss all their current medicines, as well as those recently taken or may be taken, with their doctor. Utrogestan may alter the action of some medicines while other medicines affect how Utrogestan works.

Utrogen side effects

Utrogestan must be stopped and medical attention sought by women who become pregnant, or become aware of signs that may suggest a problem, including yellow skin or eye whites (suggests liver disease); dizziness, migraine headaches for the first time, and fatigue).

Other effects have been reported including increase in breast pain/tenderness, hot flashes, vaginal discharge and bleeding, decrease in libido, fluid retention, weight changes, skin disorders (discoloration, nodules, rash), depression, headaches, poor sleep patterns, stomach bloating or pain, and nausea.

Any side effects should be reported to your prescribing doctor.