Licensed progestogens

Updated on 08 Dec 2023
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If a woman is using a combined HRT regime, this can be prescribed as oestrogen with a separate progestogen. The below are licensed progestogens for use in HRT.

LICENSED PROGESTOGENS

Brand	Progestogen	Formulation	Dose	Vegan suitable
Mirena coil	52mg LNG (20mcg/ 24 hours)	IUD coil	The Mirena coil is licensed for 4 years as the progestogen arm of HRT However, the FSRH supports use of any 52mg IUD for up to 5 years off-license. Coils that contain 52mg LNG include the Mirena, Levosert and Benilexa	No
Utrogestan or Gepretix	Oral micronised progesterone (100mg)	Capsules	Avoid in patients with allergy to peanuts or soya Sequential regime: 2x 100mg capsules swallowed each evening on day 15 to 26 of each 28 day cycle. This regime can be difficult to remember and to improve compliance progesterone can be prescribed as: 2x 100mg capsules swallowed nightly for the first 14 days of each calendar month Start capsules 15 days after the first day of your next period. Take 2x 100mg capsules each evening for 2 weeks. Repeat this as 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off regardless of bleed pattern Continuous regime: 1x 100mg capsule swallowed nightly. The BNF recommends taking progesterone on days 1-25 of each cycle. However, it can be prescribed nightly. If break through bleeding occurs, taking it on days 1-25 can improve bleeding control	No

Brand

Progestogen

Formulation

Dose

Vegan suitable

Mirena coil

52mg LNG (20mcg/ 24 hours)

IUD coil

The Mirena coil is licensed for 4 years as the progestogen arm of HRT

However, the FSRH supports use of any 52mg IUD for up to 5 years off-license. Coils that contain 52mg LNG include the Mirena, Levosert and Benilexa

Utrogestan or
Gepretix

Oral micronised progesterone (100mg)

Capsules

Avoid in patients with allergy to peanuts or soya

Sequential regime: 2x 100mg capsules swallowed each evening on day 15 to 26 of each 28 day cycle. This regime can be difficult to remember and to improve compliance progesterone can be prescribed as:

2x 100mg capsules swallowed nightly for the first 14 days of each calendar month
Start capsules 15 days after the first day of your next period. Take 2x 100mg capsules each evening for 2 weeks. Repeat this as 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off regardless of bleed pattern

Continuous regime: 1x 100mg capsule swallowed nightly. The BNF recommends taking progesterone on days 1-25 of each cycle. However, it can be prescribed nightly. If break through bleeding occurs, taking it on days 1-25 can improve bleeding control

Note:

Micronised progesterone should be taken in the evening because it can be sedating.
Taking it with food increases absorption, therefore women who experience side effects should take it on an empty stomach.

References and Further Information:

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Unlicensed progestogens