Utrogestan Capsules

Utrogestan contains a female hormone called progesterone and should be used in combination with estrogen to reduce the symptoms of the menopause. Each utrogestan capsule contains 100mg micronized progesterone. Using utrogestan with an estrogen separately can be ideal for women who still have a womb (uterus) and like to use oestrogens in patches or non-combination forms. Utrogestan 100mg capsules is an oral medication only. Utrogestan 200mg vaginal capsules are inserted into the vagina.

Utrogestan contains a progesterone which is near identical to the hormone produced by the body before menopause and therefore risks of minor and serious side effects are far fewer than alternative types of progesterone.

Please Note: Utrogestan is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Do not use a hormonal contraceptive while using HRT.

Utrogestan 100mg capsules is an oral medication only and should be taking alongside estrogen treatment for women experiencing symptoms of the menopause. Utrogestan should be taken in an empty stomach because taking utrogestan with food can increase the risk of drowsiness and increases the absorption of progesterone therefore increasing risk of side effects. Take your estrogen HRT at the same time as utrogestan.

Women still having periods: The recommended dose is two capsules daily at bedtime for twelve days in the last half of each menstrual cycle (Day 15 to Day 26). Withdrawal bleeding may occur in the following week. Women with no periods for over 12m: One capsule can be given at bedtime from day 1 to 25 of each 28 day oestrogen HRT cycle.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects have been reported since Utrogestan came on the market and may happen with Utrogestan taken orally:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea (sickness in the stomach)
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Vaginal bleeding
• Intense itching (pruritus)

If you have any of these side effects tell your doctor. They may decide to stop your treatment for a while. The list above isn’t exhaustive. If you experience serious side effects or side effects lasting longer than 3 months then you should consult your doctor immediately.

Make sure you read the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions and contraindications. You should only take HRT once you have understood all the warnings and precautions as HRT may increase your chances of getting certain cancers or cardiovascular disease. If you are concerned discuss this with your doctor or The Family Chemist clinician.

Do not take Utrogestan:

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to progesterone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• If you have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it;
• If you have cancer which is sensitive to estrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it;
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding;
• If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism);
• If you have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency);
• If you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina;
• If you have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal;
• If you have a rare blood problem called “porphyria” which is passed down in families (inherited);
• If you have bleeding on the brain (cerebral haemorrhage);
• If you are breast-feeding
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to soya

Stop taking Utrogestan and see a doctor immediately

If you notice any of the following when taking HRT:

• Any of the conditions mentioned in the ‘DO NOT take Utrogestan’ section;
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice). These may be signs of a liver disease;
• A large rise in your blood pressure (symptoms may be headache, tiredness, dizziness);
• Migraine-like headaches which happen for the first time;
• Sudden or gradual, partial or complete loss of vision;
• Forward displacement of the eye (proptosis) or double vision (diplopia);
• Swelling of the optic nerve (papilloedema);
• Eye diseases (retinal vascular lesions);
• If you become pregnant;
• If you notice signs of a blood clot, such as:
  • painful swelling and redness of the legs;
  • sudden chest pain;
  • difficulty in breathing;

• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/352/pil
• https://www.womens-health-concern.org/https://patient.info/medicine/oestrogen-and-progestogen-for-hrt
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/