About Utrogestan

NHS medicines information on Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) - what it's used for and key facts.

Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) is a medicine that contains a hormone called progesterone. Progesterone is a type of progestogen that's identical to the hormone your body produces.

Your ovaries produce progesterone and oestrogen until the menopause, when your periods stop. Menopause usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. It affects anyone who has periods.

Progesterone is produced during the second half of your menstrual cycle. As you reach menopause, the amount of progesterone and oestrogen that your body produces falls.

Utrogestan is taken along with oestrogen as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve the menopause symptoms you may have when your body produces less of these hormones. Taking progesterone with oestrogen is known as combined HRT.

Oestrogen-based HRT can thicken the womb lining. This slightly increases the risk of womb cancer. Taking progesterone together with oestrogen reduces this risk.

Progesterone stops the womb lining from getting too thick, and when you stop taking it (usually for a few days each month) this causes the womb lining to be shed, like a period, which helps to protect you from womb cancer.

You'll need to take combined HRT if you still have a womb.

Utrogestan is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules that you swallow.

Utrogestan also comes as vaginal capsules but these are only used as part of fertility treatment (IVF).

HRT shortages

Currently there are supply shortages of some types of HRT. If the medicine you've been prescribed is not available, a pharmacist or doctor will be able to advise you about using a different brand or type of HRT that is suitable for you.

Key facts

• You'll usually take Utrogestan on certain days each month: either 2 capsules every day on days 15 to 26, or 1 capsule every day on days 1 to 25 of your medicine's 28 day cycle. Sometimes you might be advised to take it every day without a break.
• HRT can take up to 3 months to fully improve your symptoms.
• Common side effects include changes in your periods, breast tenderness and headaches, but these usually improve in the first few months of treatment.
• If you feel that the HRT you're taking is not helping your symptoms, talk to a doctor. It can take time to find the right type and dose to suit you.
• It's common to take HRT for 2 to 5 years, and then try stopping to see if until your menopause symptoms have improved. If your symptoms last for longer, your doctor can advise on the benefits and risks of continuing to take HRT.
• It's important to see your doctor at least once a year for a check-up and to review whether you need to keep taking HRT.

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.