When HRT is indicated,
Utrogestan is a natural choice.

 
 

About Menopause

Menopause is a part of life, and means the end of a woman’s menstrual periods. Some women hardly notice it is happening to them, for others it can be more troublesome. Women can experience irregular monthly periods, hot flushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep and palpitations, to name the changes reported most often, and these are called symptoms. The symptoms and age at which they occur are different for every woman.

A woman may experience the menopause anywhere from her 40’s to her mid 50’s. Three to five years before this a woman may begin to experience symptoms. During this time hormone levels in the reproductive system begin to decrease, due to the natural ageing of the ovaries, which make the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This drop in hormone levels is what causes menopausal symptoms. Menopause is said to be premature when it occurs in a woman under 40 years of age. Surgical or artificial menopause is the term used when a woman experiences menopausal symptoms if her ovaries are removed or impaired by treatments for other health issues.

About Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is often prescribed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, irrespective of why the menopause has occurred, and is designed to return the hormone levels (oestrogen and progesterone) to the same as they were before the menopause began. Most symptoms can be managed effectively with oestrogen replacement therapies. If you have a womb (uterus), your doctor will also prescribe a progestogen with your oestrogen. If it has been a year or more since your last period you are said to be post-menopausal and if you are still experiencing symptoms you can still be treated.

About Utrogestan

SunflowerOil.jpgWhen used in combination with an oestrogen, Utrogestan balances the effect of oestrogen on the lining of the womb (uterus), keeping it healthy by preventing it from thickening. Utrogestan, is structurally identical to the progesterone the body makes in the ovaries prior to menopause. This means it acts in the same way as the progesterone that was made by your body before the menopause.

Utrogestan is structurally identical to the body’s progesterone: 

ProgesteroneDiagram.jpg

Reference 1. NZ Data Sheet. 2. Morville R, Dray F, Reynier J, Barrat J. The bioavailability of natural progesterone givenby mouth. Measurement of steroid concentrations in plasma, endometrium and breast tissue J. Gynecol Obstet BiolReprod (Paris) 1982;11(3):355-363.

 
 
© Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION

Utrogestan: Progesterone capsules 100mg; is a PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects see your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional.

What Utrogestan is used for: It contains a hormone called progesterone and is to be used with another medicine called oestrogen. The combination of Utrogestan and oestrogen belongs to a group of medicines called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Utrogestan is used to reduce the symptoms of the menopause (change of life). It is used only in women who still have a womb (uterus). It is not a contraceptive. Do not take Utrogestan if you: are allergic (hypersensitive) to soya. Utrogestan contains sunflower oil and soya lecithin; are allergic (hypersensitive) to progesterone or any of the other ingredients of Utrogestan; have severe liver disease; have ever had breast cancer; have porphyria (an illness which makes your urine and skin an unusual colour); have unexpected and unexplained bleeding from your vagina (and it is not due to your normal monthly period); have ever had cancer of your sex organs; have had blood clots, bleeding of the brain, or a stroke. A small increased risk of breast cancer may be associated with HRT use. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have: high blood pressure or heart problems; kidney or liver problems; epilepsy, diabetes, migraine or asthma; ever had depression; skin that is sensitive to light (photo-sensitivity). Do not take Utrogestan with food. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not take Utrogestan if you are pregnant or might become pregnant. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Possible side effects: Like all medicines, Utrogestan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking and see your doctor if you begin to experience: Headaches; Problems with your eyes; Yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice); Painful swelling in your leg, sudden chest pain or diffi culty breathing. See a doctor if you notice: Blood clots in the veins of your legs or pelvis; Changes in your breast such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipples, any lumps. Other side effects: Feeling tired or dizzy; Diffi culty sleeping; High temperature; Depression; Feeling sick or having an upset or bloated stomach; Changes to your menstrual flow or bleeding at times other than the withdrawal bleed; Pre-menstrual symptoms such as irritability, backache or lower stomach pain; Changes to your breasts. They may become tender; Changes in secretions from your genitals; Changes in your libido; Changes to your weight or swollen ankles; Loss of hair or an increase in hair growth; Rash or other changes in your skin such as acne. For further information please contact your doctor or health professional or access the full consumer medicine information link on this page. Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd, PO Box 4079, Auckland. This medicine is not subsidised so a charge to cover the full medicine cost and a usual doctor’s visit fee will apply. Reference: 1. NZ Data Sheet. 2. Morville R, Dray F, Reynier J, Barrat J. The bioavailability of natural progesterone given by mouth. Measurement of steroid concentrations in plasma, endometrium and breast tissue J. Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) 1982;11(3):355-363. Click here for the full Consumer Medicines Information.
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