Progesterone only pill

[MsPea]

Hi-

Just collected the progesterone only pill from the chemists. I've never taken oral contraception before. I've been given this not the combined pill because BF. The leaflet contains a discouraging list of side effects and I've never been keen on artificial hormones. But don't want any more babies yet! Does anyone have any experience of this pill?

[shazronnie]

I've been on micronor for just over a year and it has been fine; got far more side effects on the combined pill.

[softmusk]

i have been on this pill for 9 monthes and had no problems and was on it 3 years before having children and had no problems then

[sweetheart]

I fell pregnant with dd whilst on a prog only pill - it was 7 years ago now so I can't remember which one.

[HelloMama]

The progestogen pill is one of the safest types of hormonal contraception there is - it can be taken by almost anyone. Unfortunately the company has to list almost any side effect possible, and it can be a scary list. The main things you may notice are irregular bleeding, possibly some skin changes (acne) and change in appetite / weight changes (not always putting weight on, somtimes losing it). The main thing is to give it a try with an open mind- it isn't permanent and you can stop it anytime and it will quickly reverse, although it is worth giving it 3 months as any side effects you have should settle within this period.

[PrettyCandles]

I took Femulen for just under a year and found it perfectly OK. First fortnight I had a constantly worsening constant headache, but that cleared up almost suddenly. First month or two were very confusing as I had all my early pregnancy symptoms - but wasn't pg. After that I was quite happy on it. IIRC first few periods were unusually close together, not more than 3w apart, but had no irregular bleeding. Didn't affect bf at all. Only difficulty was remembering to take it at the right time.

[notnigella]

I am bf and am taking a pop called cerazette, which is fab. Main advantage is that you have a 12 hour window to take the pill, whereas with most POP you need to take it at the same time eachday, and with a baby thats just not always possible. An added bonus is that apparently in many cases, and in mine, you don't get periods, but not sure if that is because I am still bf or because of this pill. Have never experienced any side effects.

[MsPea]

Thankyou for all of these... I think I have to give it a go as you say Hellomama. Although sometimes I think dd, three months old, is acting as a pretty effective contraceptive herself! But I guess this will change as her sleep habits improve (I hope).

[expatinscotland]

I tried it.

It was a disaster for me.

I bled and bled. It killed my sex drive entirely.

I have PND and was on medication for it, starting taking the POP, which they assured me was fine.

My depression got SO bad it scared me.

My skin looked like a pizza - cystic acne all over my chest and back.

It works for some folks, I'm sure, and as a contraceptive, it worked for me, bleeding, w/no sex drive and in the blackest of moods.

But it wasn't an experience I'll EVER repeat.

[Sugarmagnolia]

I took cerazette for a while. I got a period every other week (not just a little spotting but a full week long period, one week on one week off) and lots of spots.