Can You Get Your Period While On Utrogestan?

Utrogestan 100 mg capsules are a common hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopause. It is a form of HRT that is only suitable for women who still have a womb, so it is common to experience some bleeding at the end of the cycle, similar to a period.

In this article, we’ll explore why Utrogestan causes you to have a monthly bleed, explore if this is a period, and how it should be taken.

Do you get a period while taking Utrogestan?

Utrogestan doesn’t cause you to have a period but it may make you bleed which looks similar to a period.

Utrogestan is a type of progestogen HRT that’s suitable for women who still have their wombs and should be taken alongside oestrogen replacement therapy. 

That’s because oestrogen causes your womb lining to thicken, so taking Utrogestan helps shed your womb lining. For this reason, many women experience some bleeding, similar to a period, at the end of each cycle.

How does Utrogestan work?

Utrogestan 100 mg capsules contain a plant-based form of progesterone, the female sex hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy. The progesterone in Utrogestan is identical to the progesterone the body makes before menopause. It is also known as micronised progesterone.

During and after the menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, causing the common menopause symptoms. HRT like Utrogestan helps replace these falling hormone levels to improve your quality of life and provide relief.

Women who take HRT and have their womb intact need to take a progesterone HRT and an oestrogen one. However, because oestrogen causes the womb lining to grow, Utrogestan causes it to shed, to prevent the lining from building up and lowering associated risks.

Learn more about what Utrogestan is used for in our blog.

What’s the usual Utrogestan dose?

How much Utrogestan you’ll be prescribed will depend on where you are on your menopause journey.

If you have still had your periods in the last 6 to 12 months, the usual prescription is two 100 mg capsules taken together in the evening. These are taken from day 15 to day 26 of your HRT cycle.

If you have not had a period for more than a year, the usual dose is one 100 mg capsule every evening, without a break.

Want to know how quickly Utrogestan takes to work? Read our guide.

Should I take Utrogestan 100 mg capsules with or without food?

Utrogestan is best taken on an empty stomach because taken with food can increase the risk of drowsiness. Most women take Utrogestan just before going to bed.

Is Utrogestan a contraceptive pill?

No, Utrogestan is not a contraceptive pill and it is possible to get pregnant while you are taking HRT.

To prevent pregnancy, you will need to use contraception until 2 years after you have your last period if you’re under 50 or for one year if you are over 50.

What are the advantages of Utrogestan?

One of the major advantages of Utrogestan is it comes from a plant and is a body-identical hormone, which means it is the same as the progesterone your body naturally produces. Women who take Utrogestan are less likely to experience side effects compared to other, more traditional types of progesterone HRT.

There is strong evidence to suggest that micronised progesterone-like Utrogestan does not increase the risk of blood clots like other older progesterone HRT options. Utrogestan may also be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer compared to other forms of progestogen HRT.

Utrogestan alternatives

You can get Utrogestan 100 mg capsules from Prescription Doctor. Just fill out a short health questionnaire and one of our clinicians will see if it is suitable for you. If it is, we'll deliver it next to your chosen address.

We also offer a range of menopause treatments, some of the Utrogestan alternatives include:

• Provera: A type of progestogen HRT that contains medroxyprogesterone acetate as its active ingredient.
• Veoza: A non-hormonal menopause treatment that may be suitable for women who cannot or choose not to take hormonal methods.
• Evorel Conti: A continuous combined hormone replacement therapy which contains man-made versions of oestrogen and progesterone. Evorel Conti is supplied in patch form, so is worn on the skin rather than being a pill.

Summary

Utrogestan is a type of hormone replacement therapy that contains the hormone progesterone. It is used to treat the symptoms of menopause alongside oestrogen. Oestrogen thickens the womb lining, whereas progesterone causes it to shed which means you’ll experience a bleed at the end of your HRT cycle. It isn’t technically a period but it is similar.

Authored & Reviewed By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 12/08/2024 Reviewed on: 12/08/2024