cyclogest^® 200mg pessary

Micronised Progesterone

Cyclogest is the registered trademark of L.D. Collins & Co. Ltd.

Cyclogest contains micronised progesterone which is a natural, female sex hormone, produced in the body. Cyclogest works by adjusting the hormonal balance within the body for the treatment of:

• pre-menstrual syndrome which often affects women during the 7 to 10 days before their monthly period. The symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome include feelings of tension, irritability, depression, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain and bloatedness
• post-natal depression which some women get after their baby has been born.

Do not use Cyclogest if you:

• are allergic to progesterone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
• have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by the doctor,
• have known or suspected tumour that is hormone sensitive,
• have porphyria disorders (a group of inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes),
• have or have had blood clots in the legs, lungs, eyes or elsewhere in the body,
• currently have or have had severe liver problems.
• have a miscarriage and your physician suspects some tissue is still in the uterus or pregnancy outside of the womb.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is 200 mg once a day or 400 mg twice a day by vaginal or rectal insertion.

The pessary may be inserted into either the vagina or rectum (back passage) depending upon the following certain other conditions.

You should insert Cyclogest into the:

• vagina if you have:
  • colitis (inflammation of the colon causing frequent attacks of diarrhoea with mucous or blood)
  • problems controlling your bowel movements (faecal incontinence).
• rectum (back passage) if you have:
  • a vaginal infection (discharge from your vagina)
  • or often have cystitis (a burning pain on passing water)
  • recently given birth
  • to use a barrier method of birth control such as a diaphragm, cap or condom. Such devices may not work properly in the presence of the hard fat from the pessary.

For premenstrual tension start using Cyclogest on day 12 or 14 of your menstrual cycle. This can be planned and marked onto your calendar, day 1 is the first day of your monthly period, counting forward to day 12 or 14 as advised by your doctor.

Do not swallow Cyclogest.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop using Cyclogest and contact your doctor at once if you have an allergic reaction. Signs may include a skin rash, which may be itchy.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

Drowsiness, stomach discomfort or pain, breast pain

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

Diarrhoea, soreness in your rectum (back passage), flatulence (wind), changes in your menstrual cycle (you may find that your monthly period will start earlier than usual or it may be delayed), leakage after the pessary has dissolved (this is quite normal when using medicines that are inserted into the vagina or rectum)

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 30°C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label/carton/bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Premenstrual Syndrome

Many women suffer from a condition called premenstrual syndrome or PMS. This is commonly known as PMT (premenstrual tension) because of the anxiety and bad temper often associated with it. However, there are many other symptoms that occur with PMS including depression, bloating and breast tenderness. It is not just your symptoms that decide whether you have PMS but the time at which they are at their worst.

PMS is characterised by the symptoms that occur during the days leading up to your period and are then completely relieved by menstruation. The cause of PMS is not completely understood but it is believed to be related to the hormonal changes that occur during the monthly cycle. Many women obtain relief from their symptoms when their hormonal balance is altered with a medicine prescribed by their doctor.

Further information about PMS can be obtained from:

Post-Natal Depression

Many mothers experience short-term periods of mild depression following the birth of their baby. This is a common condition, usually occurring three or four days after delivery, affecting at least half of all new mothers who may feel tearful, overwhelmed and irritable during this time. Support, reassurance and rest can help these feelings to pass within a few days.

However, if the anxiety does not improve, the mother may be developing postnatal depression. Up to 15 per cent of new mothers develop more severe symptoms within 12 months of their child’s birth. Postnatal depression (PND) is characterised by marked low mood for a more prolonged period of time.

Though it may take several weeks or months until a full recovery is reached, PND is a treatable condition from which the mother will get better.

Speak to your midwife, health visitor or doctor if you have any further questions.