Progesterone cream - should I call trading standards?

joyfull

I've just purchased some Boivea Progesterone cream to try to alleviate symptoms of menopause.

Pot clearly states 70 grams of cream per container. It also says net weight (weight of product without packaging) 2.14oz (which converted to grams is 60grams ??)

I'm sharing it with someone else, so opened the pot up and very carefully divided the cream using some very accurate scales.

The total amount of cream was 54 grams!

I've phoned them & had frustrating call with a v polite foreign accent. They are sending another pot of cream, but she didn't understand me & just read her script & said maybe some had leaked out (ridiculous).

This is an expensive item. I will weigh the cream in the next pot. Should I alert Trading Standards?

I don't have a lot of energy for a big fight, but this doesn't seem right.

Edit - I'm going to post this on consumer rights board (never noticed it before!)

Nile

joyfull wrote: »

I've just purchased some Boivea Progesterone cream to try to alleviate symptoms of menopause.

Pot clearly states 70 grams of cream per container. It also says net weight (weight of product without packaging) 2.14oz (which converted to grams is 60grams ??)

I'm sharing it with someone else, so opened the pot up and very carefully divided the cream using some very accurate scales.

The total amount of cream was 54 grams!

I've phoned them & had frustrating call with a v polite foreign accent. They are sending another pot of cream, but she didn't understand me & just read her script & said maybe some had leaked out (ridiculous).

This is an expensive item. I will weigh the cream in the next pot. Should I alert Trading Standards?

I don't have a lot of energy for a big fight, but this doesn't seem right.

Edit - I'm going to post this on consumer rights board (never noticed it before!)

Hello joyfull

It does sound dodgy. Can I ask you whether the cream is a UK product or from within the EU? Did you buy in from a UK store or online?

I'm afraid I wouldn't be tempted to buy any medicines online, I would either see my GP or a UK Pharmacist and know that I'm getting safe and effective medicine.;)

Couldn't you see your GP or a Pharmacist and get safe medical advice and medicine?

Regards

Nile

GlasweJen

Since progesterones are prescription only in the UK you'll not have much recourse here as it is illegal to supply POMs without a prescription! You'll be very lucky if the cream is what it says it is anyway, the internet is notorious for supplying fake medications, especially the expensive high demand items like viagra and hormomes!

joyfull

Thanks Nile for the reply

Bought online from a large company with offices in Kensington.

I did my research on both the product and the company so thought this would be a legitimate product - maybe I'm wrong though.

HRT from the GP is not appropriate for me. I'm into a 5th year of horrendous flushes and insomnia and have reached exhaustion & desperation.

I appreciate the advice & thanks again.

GlasweJen

You've been advised that HRT isn't suitable so you just go online and buy some?!?

joyfull

GlasweJen wrote: »

You've been advised that HRT isn't suitable so you just go online and buy some?!?

You've made an incorrect assumption here.

My GP is happy for me to take HRT - it is MY decision not to go down that route.

This thread was a question about trading standards.

GlasweJen

but GPs can prescribe progesterone creams so why hasn't yours?

ETA, it can't really be about trading standards when you're buying a restricted product illegally.

melancholly

from various websites it looks like it's legal to import progesterone cream for personal use from outside of the uk. otherwise it needs to be on prescription. OP - can you not get a prescription (possibly private) from your GP? i hope that you at least chose this route with professional medical advice.

(although saying all that, i think trading standards may want to know about something being sold in this way but not for the reason the OP intended!)

jenniewb

In answer to your question OP, as long as the company and product is totally legit- (i.e if its not legal to buy without a prescription, this is not legit) but if it is legit, go ahead to Trading Standards- I would! But first maybe contact the company themselves, see what they say and if its an error on their part.

spirit

Hi,

I'm not sure whether TS will be able to do much since the company is obviously just an agent in the UK and importing from the manufacturers outside of the UK. Worth a try though.

I like you researched progesterone cream a couple of years ago. A couple of heath professionals told me about it initially. I too tried HRT briefly before that and didn't like it so came off it.

I must admit I've not bought more cream recently, that's only because I've been so busy with moving house that I've forgotten. Mine comes from the US and there is an agent in the UK who bulk buys is from there and then sells it on here. Doesn't sound like the same people you buy from?

joyfull

Thanks for the replies.

Just as an aside, I tried some of the cream in the last day and seemed to have an unpleasant couple of hours of side effects. I am extremely sensitive as I'm a v light body weight. This is partly why I didn't want to go down the GP route as the amounts you are prescribed are a standard dose whether you weigh 24 stone or 8 stone.

For the record I have NOT bought something illegally. It was a researched and well considered decision.

Again, thanks to those who stuck to the topic of this thread and gave helpful feedback.

I won't be using the cream.