Utrogestan 100mg capsules

Utrogestan is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that contains micronised progesterone, a hormone that is identical to the type produced by the body. It is available as a soft capsule and is prescribed to anyone who has a womb, to treat the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause and counteract the effects of oestrogen-based HRT, which thickens the womb lining.

By taking Utrogestan, the womb lining is shed, protecting you against womb cancer.

Utrogestan works by delivering micronised, body-identical progesterone to replace the naturally falling hormone levels that occur during menopause. This helps to improve symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes, by balancing oestrogen and preventing the womb lining from becoming too thick.

When you take Utrogestan, your body sheds its womb lining each month, similar to when you have periods, keeping your womb lining healthy.

How long does Utrogestan last?

You’ll usually take Utrogestan daily from days 15 to 26 of your cycle or on days 1 to 25 of each 28-day HRT cycle. Sometimes, you may be advised to take it every day without a break. Its effectiveness lasts throughout the period you are taking it.

How long does Utrogestan take to work?

You may notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, but it can take up to 3 months for the treatment to fully take effect and for you to feel the benefits.

How effective is Utrogestan?

Utrogestan is effective at protecting against womb cancer. Research also shows that taking 300mg of progesterone (a higher than prescribed dose) before bed resulted in a 55% reduction in vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and improved sleep.

Utrogestan 100mg capsules are taken in combination with Estradot patches as part of HRT to protect the womb lining and reduce the chance of womb cancer.

Estradot patches contain oestrogen, which thickens your womb lining. Taking Utrogestan helps to balance the hormones and stops the womb lining from becoming too thick, lowering the risk of these effects.

Utrogestan 100mg capsules are pills that should be swallowed with a whole glass of water.

You should take Utrogestan at bedtime, at least 2 hours after food. If you take Utrogestan with food, you may experience side effects such as drowsiness because food can increase the absorption of the medication in your body.

Utrogestan dosage

The recommended dose is 200mg (2 capsules) per day at bedtime on days 15 to 26 of your 28-day HRT cycle. When you stop taking Utrogestan, you will usually have a few days of withdrawal bleeding, similar to a period, and you should continue with your oestrogen HRT every day as prescribed.

Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe taking 1 capsule at bedtime from day 1 to day 25 of each 28-day HRT cycle.

How long do you need to take Utrogestan for

How long you’ll need to take Utrogestan for will depend on your menopause symptoms. It’s common for people to take HRT for 2 to 5 years and then stop to see if their menopause symptoms have improved.

Your doctor will monitor your treatment and your response to the medication.

Utrogestan can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects include:

• weight changes
• insomnia
• tiredness
• dizziness
• headaches
• abdominal swelling or pain
• feeling sick
• itching
• irregular or intermenstrual bleeding
• vaginal bleeding
• breast pain and tenderness
• missing or absent periods
• feeling generally unwell

Uncommon side effects include:

• fluid retention
• feeling agitated and anxious
• low energy
• depression
• disorientation
• mood swings
• nervousness
• memory loss
• migraine
• numbness, tingling, pins and needles
• speech disorder
• fainting
• vision changes
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• muscle, joint, or back pain

Rare side effects include:

• changes in glucose (blood sugar) tolerance
• changes in sex drive
• eye irritation
• loss of appetite
• pain when going for a pee

You can find a full list of side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do Utrogestan side effects last?

Some side effects, such as changes in menstrual periods like spotting or bleeding between periods, can take 3 to 6 months to subside. While others, such as headaches, may resolve within a few days.

What to do if you get Utrogestan side effects

Most Utrogestan side effects are mild and can be managed at home. For example:

• headaches can be managed by drinking plenty of water to help you stay hydrated and taking over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• breast pain usually improves within a few weeks as your body gets used to the medication, but if it does not go away or you notice a lump or changes in your breasts, speak to your doctor for advice
• tiredness or dizziness can be managed by sitting or lying down until you feel better, and you should avoid driving, cycling, or using machinery until you feel better
• feeling sick can be uncomfortable, but it’s a good idea to get some rest until you feel better, and eating simple foods that are not rich or spicy can also help
• changes to your periods are common for the first 3 to 6 months – you may wish to wear pantyliners until this has subsided, but if it does not improve or you are concerned, speak to your doctor for more advice

The following health conditions are more commonly reported in women taking HRT:

• breast cancer – symptoms include changes in your breast, such as a lump, swelling, dimpling, or redness, nipple discharge, and breast pain
• abnormal growth or cancer of the womb lining – symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and pain during sex
• ovarian cancer – symptoms include bloating or swollen stomach, no appetite, and a frequent and urgent need to pee
• blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (similar to the risk when taking the contraceptive pill, which also contains hormones) – symptoms include breathlessness and chest pain if in the lungs, or pain, swelling, and redness in the leg
• heart disease – the main symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath
• stroke – a medical emergency causing face and arm weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, and memory loss
• memory loss if you start HRT after the age of 65

If you notice any signs or symptoms of these, you should contact your doctor immediately, or in the case of an emergency, call 999.

Utrogestan may not be suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions or medications can interact with Utrogestan, making it less effective or potentially unsafe.

Do not take Utrogestan if you:

• are allergic to progesterone or any other ingredients listed
• have ever had breast cancer
• have oestrogen-sensitive cancer, like cancer of the womb lining
• have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein, such as in the legs or lungs
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have excessive thickening of the womb lining that is not being treated
• have a blood clotting disorder
• have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke, or angina
• have or have ever had liver disease, and your liver function tests are not yet normal
• have porphyria
• have bleeding on the brain
• are breastfeeding

Utrogestan and other medications

Before taking Utrogestan, you should tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, especially:

• blood-thinning medication
• ciclosporin or tacrolimus
• tizanidine
• bromocriptine
• selegiline
• diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam, oxazepam, or lorazepam
• tuberculosis medications
• antibiotics
• epilepsy medications
• St John’s wort
• medications used to treat fungal or viral infections
• atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
• aprepitant

Utrogestan offers several benefits as part of a combined HRT regimen with Estardot patches, such as:

✓ protecting the womb lining from becoming too thick, lowering the risk of womb cancer

✓ relieving menopause symptoms, such as sleep issues, low mood, and anxiety

✓ supporting bone health and protecting against osteoporosis, which is common after menopause

✓ lowering the chances of side effects compared to other types of synthetic progesterone because it is a body-identical form of progesterone

Utrogestan is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor's approval before you can obtain it. You can request Utrogestan from a reputable online doctor service, or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Utrogestan online?

Yes, you can request Utrogestan quickly and discreetly online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

There is no need for a face-to-face appointment with a doctor, and we will dispatch your medication in discreet packaging to maintain confidentiality.

Not sure whether you’re experiencing menopause? We also supply a menopause home test kit, which checks for the levels of a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Menopause can cause an increase in FSH, and our test can help inform you whether you may be approaching or experiencing menopause.

Can I buy Utrogestan over the counter?

No, Utrogestan is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

Can I get Utrogestan on the NHS?

Yes, Utrogestan is available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with a GP so that they can assess if it is safe for you to take. You may also be prescribed an alternative, depending on availability in your area.

At Asda Online Doctor, we offer several options when it comes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If Estradot and Utrogestan are not suitable for you or you just want to know your other options, alternative combined HRTs include:

• Evorel Conti patches – a combined HRT that’s available in a patch and delivers 3.2mg of the oestrogen estradiol and 11.2mg of the progesterone norethisterone acetate, are worn all the time without a break, and changed twice a week
• Elleste Duet Conti – a combined HRT pill that contains the same artificial oestrogen and progesterone as Evorel Conti, and is taken daily
• Kliovance – a combined HRT pill that’s taken continuously without a break, the 2 active ingredients are estradiol 1mg (oestrogen) and norethisterone acetate 0.5mg (progesterone)
• Kliofem – similar to Kliovance but available in a higher dose, each pill contains 2mg of estradiol and 1mg of norethisterone acetate
• Femoston Conti – a combined HRT pill that contains the active ingredients estradiol (oestrogen) and dydrogesterone (progesterone)

Utrogestan vs Gepretix

Utrogestan and Gepretix both contain the same active ingredient, micronised progesterone, in the same dose, and work in exactly the same way. However, Gepretix is a branded generic version of Utrogestan, making it a more cost-effective option for some people. Asda Online Doctor does not offer Gepretix.

Utrogestan vs norethisterone

Utrogestan and norethisterone are not the same thing. Utrogestan contains body-identical progesterone, while norethisterone is a synthetic form of progesterone.

This typically means that Utrogestan has a better safety profile with a lower chance of developing blood clots and fewer side effects compared to older, artificial hormones like norethisterone. However, norethisterone may be more effective at managing breakthrough bleeding.