Description
Utrogestan capsules contain the active ingredient progesterone, which is a naturally occurring female sex hormone. It is used as part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have not had a hysterectomy.
What are Utrogestan capsules used for?
Utrogestan capsules are taken as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the menopause in women who have not had a hysterectomy and are taking an oestrogen hormone supplement. Utrogestan opposes the effect of the oestrogen on the womb lining and reduces the risk of endometrial cancer.
How do Utrogestan capsules work?
Utrogestan capsules contain the active ingredient progesterone, which is a naturally occurring female sex hormone. It is used as part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have not had a hysterectomy.
Women’s ovaries gradually produce less and less oestrogen in the period up to the menopause, and oestrogen blood levels decline as a result. The declining levels of oestrogen can cause distressing symptoms, such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness or itching.
Oestrogen can be given as a supplement to replace the falling levels in the body and help reduce these distressing symptoms of the menopause. This is known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is usually only required for short-term relief from menopausal symptoms and its use should be reviewed at least once a year with your doctor.
Progesterone is needed as part of HRT for women who have not had a hysterectomy. This is because in women with an intact womb, oestrogen stimulates the growth of the womb lining (endometrium), which can lead to endometrial cancer if the growth is unopposed. Progesterone is given to oppose oestrogen’s effect on the womb lining.
Utrogestan capsules are taken as part of each monthly oestrogen cycle to cause the womb lining to be shed as a monthly bleed, like a period. This reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, though it does not eliminate this risk entirely. This is known as combined HRT.
How do I take Utrogestan capsules?
An oestrogen supplement is taken on a continuous daily basis for HRT. Utrogestan tablets are then taken in one of two ways each month, as described below, to oppose the effect of the oestrogen on the womb lining. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Either two 100mg Utrogestan capsules should be taken once daily at bedtime for 12 days in the latter part of each 28 day cycle, ie from day 15 to day 26. This usually results in a withdrawal bleed (similar to a period) the following week.
Alternatively, one 100mg Utrogestan capsule can be taken once daily at bedtime on days 1 to 25 of each 28 day cycle. This usually causes less withdrawal bleeding.
Utrogestan capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. They should be taken without food on an empty stomach.
If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. In this case just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as usual when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important information about Utrogestan capsules
The capsules may cause some women to feel dizzy or drowsy, which is why they are best taken at bedtime. You should avoid driving or operating machinery if affected.
Women taking any form of HRT should have regular medical and gynaecological check-ups. Your need for continued HRT should be reviewed with your doctor at least once a year.
It is important to be aware that all women using HRT have an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared with women who don’t use HRT. This risk needs to be weighed against the personal benefits to you of taking HRT. There is more detailed information about the risks and benefits associated with HRT in the factsheet about the menopause linked above. You should discuss these with your doctor before starting HRT. Women on HRT should have regular breast examinations and mammograms and should examine their own breasts regularly. Report any changes in your breasts to your doctor or nurse.
It is important to be aware that women using HRT have a slightly increased risk of stroke and of blood clots forming in the veins (eg deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism) compared with women who don’t use HRT. The risk is higher if you have existing risk factors (eg personal or family history, smoking, obesity, certain blood disorders) and needs to be weighed against the personal benefits to you of taking HRT. There is more detailed information about the risks and benefits associated with HRT in the factsheet about the menopause linked above. Discuss these with your doctor before starting treatment.
The risk of blood clots forming in the veins (thromboembolism) while taking HRT may be temporarily increased if you experience major trauma, have surgery, or are immobile for prolonged periods of time (this includes travelling for over three hours). For this reason, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking HRT for a period of time (usually four to six weeks) prior to any planned surgery, particularly abdominal surgery or orthopaedic surgery on the lower limbs, or if you are to be immobile for long periods. The risk of blood clots during long journeys may be reduced by appropriate exercise during the journey and possibly by wearing elastic hosiery. Discuss this with your doctor.
Stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: stabbing pains or swelling in one leg; pain on breathing or coughing; coughing up blood; breathlessness; sudden chest pain; sudden numbness affecting one side or part of the body; fainting; worsening of epilepsy; migraine or severe headaches; visual disturbances; severe abdominal complaints; increased blood pressure; itching of the whole body; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); or severe depression.
A woman is considered fertile for two years after her last menstrual period if she is under 50, or for one year if over 50. HRT does not provide contraception for women who fall within this group. If a potentially fertile women is taking HRT but also requires contraception, a non-hormonal method (eg condoms or contraceptive foam) should be used.
Utrogestan capsules should be used with caution by
Women with high blood pressure (hypertension).
Women with heart disease, such as angina or heart failure.
Women with decreased kidney function.
Women with mild to moderately decreased liver function.
Women with epilepsy.
Women who suffer from asthma.
Women who suffer from migraines.
Women with a history of depression.
Women with diabetes.
Women whose skin is sensitive to light (photosensitivity).
Utrogestan capsules should not be used by
Women with severely decreased liver function.
Women with abnormal vaginal bleeding where the cause is not known.
Women with breast cancer or cancer involving the genital tract.
Women with inflammation of a vein caused by a superficial blood clot (thrombophlebitis).
Women with a blood clot in a vein (venous thromboembolism), eg in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Women who have had a heart attack or stroke caused by a blood clot.
Women with bleeding in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage).
Women with hereditary blood disorders known as porphyrias.
Women who know or suspect they could be pregnant.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
This medicine should not be taken during pregnancy. If you think you could be pregnant while taking this medicine you should stop taking it and consult your doctor immediately.
Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk and it should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers. There are no conditions that require the use of HRT by breastfeeding mothers.
Possible side effects of Utrogestan capsules
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Sleepiness.
Dizziness.
Breast tenderness.
Change in menstrual bleeding, such as menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding.
Disturbances of the gut, such as upset stomach, bloating.
Skin reactions, such as rashes, itching and acne.
Hair loss (alopecia).
Excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism).
Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma). If you experience this you should minimise your exposure to the sun or UV light while taking this medicine.
Retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention).
Changes in weight.
Change in sex drive.
Pre-menstrual symptoms.
Depression.
Blood clots in the blood vessels (eg, DVT, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke – see warnings above).
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