Pms and utrogestan, first attempt :)

[Emmie]

Dear Lara,

I was very happy to discover your book, it seems like there are no Belgian specialists who really understand perimenopause/pms. I am 43, still menstruating rather regularly but with much more intense pms, heavy bleeding, mood swings, stress and anxiety. After reading the book I decided to try utrogestan, my gynecologist agreed and prescribed 200 MG. Last cycle I started it on day 14, but already got my bleed on day 20, so I stopped. It also made me feel bloated and quite agitated, and - strangely - I had an urticaria outbreak in that same period, which I never have. Not sure it is related. Now on day 11 of my new cycle, I have some spotting, whereas I don't take any utrogestan yet now.
So my question is: should I try another round of cyclical progesteron? Or should I lower the dose and take it during the whole cycle? Or is it possible I have a bad reaction to progesterone?

I was so happy to get the utrogestan prescription, but now I m not sure it is my thing.

Perhaps the histamine is the problem?

Many thanks for any insights you can share!

Emmie

[Lara]

Some women can unfortunately experience a histamine reaction from progesterone.
With my patients in a similar situation, I might suggest first an antihistamine plan such as a dairy-free diet, then try progesterone again but at 100 mg. And yes, maybe continuously to start with. But check with your doctor. There can be some erratic bleeding on starting progesterone in perimenopause.