Utrogestan contains the natural female hormone progesterone, an essential hormone for maintaining pregnancy. It is identical to the hormone produced naturally in your body and has been finely ground (or micronised) to enable your body to absorb it more easily.1,2,3
Utrogestan may be used for women who need extra progesterone while undergoing fertility treatment. It helps prepare your womb to receive and maintain a fertilised egg. Once pregnancy occurs, Utrogestan may be used until production of progesterone by the placenta is adequate.1
HOW TO INSERT UTROGESTAN
- Practise good hygiene and wash your hands before and after inserting the Utrogestan vaginal capsule.
- Take one Utrogestan 200 mg vaginal capsule from the blister pack.
- Place the Utrogestan capsule on the tip of your finger and insert deep into the vagina. No applicator is needed.
- Sometimes there may be some leakage from the dissolved capsule. This is normal.
- You do not need to lie flat following insertion of Utrogestan.
IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE IT1
- If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to, as usual.
- Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and go back to using Utrogestan as you would normally.
- Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
Utrogestan is provided as a soft capsule to be inserted deep into the vagina.1
For women using Utrogestan for extra progesterone while undergoing fertility treatment, the recommended dose is 600 mg per day, in three divided doses from the day of embryo transfer:1
HOW TO INSERT UTROGESTAN
- Practise good hygiene and wash your hands before and after inserting the Utrogestan vaginal capsule.
- Take one Utrogestan 200 mg vaginal capsule from the blister pack.
- Place the Utrogestan capsule on the tip of your finger and insert deep into the vagina. No applicator is needed.
- Sometimes there may be some leakage from the dissolved capsule. This is normal.
- You do not need to lie flat following insertion of Utrogestan.
You can also watch a video on how to insert the Utrogestan capsule below.
IF YOU FORGET TO USE IT1
- If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and use your next dose when you are meant to, as usual.
- Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember, and go back to using Utrogestan as you would normally.
- Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
HOW TO INSERT UTROGESTAN
The active ingredient is progesterone. The inactive ingredients (added during the manufacturing process) are sunflower oil, lecithin, gelatin, glycerol and titanium dioxide.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS WITH UTROGESTAN?1,4
Some women may experience side effects including vaginal burning, vaginal itching and vaginal discharge. The incidence of these side effects is extremely low.
Some women may also experience drowsiness or dizziness. Make sure you know how you react to Utrogestan before you drive a car, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or lightheaded. If this occurs, do not drive.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Utrogestan.
Please ensure you read the Utrogestan Consumer Medicine Information for further information, or consult with your doctor or pharmacist about these and other less common side effects.
CAN ANYONE USE UTROGESTAN?1,4
Most women can safely use Utrogestan.
Utrogestan can’t be used if you have certain medical conditions. These include, but are not limited to: an allergy to any of the ingredients in Utrogestan, including soya; undiagnosed vaginal bleeding; missed abortions or ectopic pregnancy; severe liver problems; cancer of the breast or genital tract; blood clots or a history of blood clots; bleeding on the brain; and porphyria disorder (a blood disease).
Do not use Utrogestan if you are breast-feeding.
Before starting Utrogestan, you should tell your doctor if you have had or suffer from epilepsy, migraine, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, depression, or heart, liver or kidney disease.
Your doctor is fully aware of all of the reasons why a woman should not use Utrogestan and will have assessed you to see if treatment is appropriate. If you are unsure whether you should use Utrogestan, talk to your doctor.
HOW SHOULD YOU STORE UTROGESTAN?1
You should store Utrogestan in the original packaging, a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. You do not need to store Utrogestan in the fridge.
HOW SOON AFTER USING UTROGESTAN CAN YOU SHOWER, SWIM OR HAVE SEX?
Utrogestan is normally absorbed within minutes of insertion, however, it is advised that you wait 15 minutes before showering and 30 minutes before having sexual intercourse or swimming.
This website is intended for patients prescribed Utrogestan for fertility treatment support, and will help with your understanding of Utrogestan. It is not a substitute for talking to your healthcare professional.
References: 1. Utrogestan® (micronised progesterone) Consumer Medicine Information, accessed September 2022. 2. Apgar BS et al. Am Fam Physician 2000;62:1839–1846. 3. Panay N. Post Reprod Health 2014;20:69–72. 4. Utrogestan® (micronised progesterone) Product Information, last updated 2022.
