Cyclogest 200mg Pessaries

Cyclogest 200mg Pessaries

How do Cyclogest Pessaries work?

Cyclogest contains micronised progesterone, a form of the natural female sex hormone your body produces on its own. Micronised simply means the progesterone has been broken down into very fine particles, allowing your body to absorb it more easily.

Progesterone is essential for regulating your menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy. When levels drop or become unbalanced, it may trigger symptoms like mood changes, bloating, and low mood.

Cyclogest works by topping up your body’s natural progesterone levels to restore hormonal balance. Because it’s inserted as a pessary rather than swallowed, it’s absorbed directly through the vaginal or rectal wall, bypassing the digestive system for better absorption.

What are Cyclogest Pessaries used for?

Cyclogest 200mg pessaries are prescribed for three main conditions:

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

If you regularly experience symptoms in the 7 to 10 days before your period, Cyclogest can help ease them. These include:

• Mood changes, irritability or low mood
• Tension and anxiety
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating and weight gain

Postnatal Depression

Cyclogest pessaries are prescribed to support women experiencing depression after giving birth, when progesterone levels drop sharply.

Preterm Birth Prevention

For women who are pregnant with a single baby and have a history of premature birth or a short cervix, Cyclogest may be used to help reduce the risk of delivering early. Treatment usually begins between weeks 16 and 24 of pregnancy and continues until at least week 34.

Who can use Cyclogest Pessaries?

Cyclogest is suitable for women who have been prescribed it by a doctor for PMS, postnatal depression, or preterm birth prevention.

You should not use Cyclogest pessaries if you:

• Are allergic to progesterone or any other ingredients in the pessary
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding that hasn’t been investigated
• Have a known or suspected hormone-sensitive tumour
• Have or have had blood clots in your legs, lungs, or eyes
• Have severe liver problems
• Have porphyria (an inherited enzyme disorder)
• Have had a miscarriage where your doctor suspects tissue remains in the womb
• Have had your waters break during pregnancy

Speak to your doctor before using Cyclogest pessaries if you have or have ever had:

• Liver problems or jaundice
• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Asthma
• Heart or kidney problems
• Diabetes

How to Use Cyclogest Pessaries

Cyclogest pessaries can be inserted either vaginally or rectally. Your doctor will advise which is most appropriate for you.

Insert vaginally if you have:

• Colitis (an inflammatory bowel condition causing frequent diarrhoea)
• Difficulty controlling your bowel movements

Insert rectally if you:

• Have a vaginal infection
• Are prone to cystitis
• Have recently given birth
• Use a barrier contraceptive such as a diaphragm, cap or condom (the fat base of the pessary may affect how these devices work)

How to Insert Cyclogest Pessaries

Always wash your hands before and after inserting the pessary.

Vaginally: Place the pessary between the lips of the vagina and push it upwards and backwards. It may be easier to do this lying down or squatting.

Rectally: Gently push the pessary into the back passage by about one inch. Squeeze your buttocks together for a few seconds to hold it in place.

Cyclogest 200mg Dosage

• PMS and postnatal depression: 200mg once daily, or 400mg twice daily as directed by your doctor
• Preterm birth prevention: 200mg once daily at bedtime, inserted vaginally

For PMS, start using Cyclogest on day 12 or 14 of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period).

If you miss a dose, insert it as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time for your next one. Never use two doses at once.

Side Effects of Cyclogest Pessaries

Like all medicines, Cyclogest can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.

Common Side Effects

• Drowsiness
• Stomach discomfort or pain
• Breast pain

(These may affect up to 1 in 10 people.)

Other Side Effects (frequency not known)

• Diarrhoea
• Soreness in the back passage (if inserted rectally)
• Wind
• Changes to your menstrual cycle, such as your period arriving earlier or later than usual
• Leakage after the pessary has dissolved – this is completely normal

Stop using Cyclogest and contact your doctor straight away if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as a skin rash.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following during treatment:

• Pain in your calves or chest, sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood
• Severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, or changes in your vision or speech
• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• Worsening depression

Report any side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Cyclogest 200mg Pessaries Ingredients

Active ingredient: Micronised progesterone 200mg

Other ingredients: Hard fat

Cyclogest Pessaries Warnings & Precautions

• Do not use Cyclogest after the expiry date shown on the label
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children
• Store below 30°C
• Do not swallow the pessaries; if accidentally swallowed, contact your nearest A&E or call your doctor immediately
• Only use Cyclogest during pregnancy if your doctor has prescribed it for preterm birth prevention; for all other uses, speak to your doctor first
• Do not use other vaginal products at the same time as Cyclogest unless your doctor has advised it
• Some medicines can reduce how well Cyclogest works, including carbamazepine, rifampicin and phenytoin; tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking
• Do not use during breastfeeding
• Stopping Cyclogest suddenly may cause increased anxiety, low mood and heightened sensitivity to seizures; always speak to your doctor before stopping treatment