Pill and high blood pressure

[Jennyfi]

I'm 41 and over the past six months I've been getting highish blood pressure readings when I take my blood pressure at home (generally around 130/92ish). I've been on Microgynon since I was 25 and haven't ever had high blood pressure before.

Before I went on the pill I had horrendous periods, with PMT, period pain, unpredictable bleeding, everything. It really felt like they were ruining my life. I know Microgynon doesn't work for some women, but it was magic for me. I run several packs together (with doctor's approval) so I don't have periods most months, and when I do take a break the flow is light and painless.

I'm really worried now that these blood pressure readings mean I'll have to come off the pill. It's actually making me feel dizzy and sick and panicky to think about coming off it, because they were so horrendous before.

Has anyone else had BP readings like this and been allowed to stay on the pill? I'm a bit tearful and stressed about the thought of having to tell the doctor I'm getting these readings. I don't know if I can face going back to periods like I had before. Is there any chance she'll still keep prescribing me the pill?

It’s your bottom reading that is high, the 130 isn’t too bad, but I would definitely speak to doctor. Have you tried cutting out salt in your diet and not so much red meat. Fruit like grapes can help lower blood pressure. Also before and during taking BP take deep breaths. I am always anxious when I take mine and it usually reads high, but the nurse told me to try and relax.

Hi OP, I don't have direct experience, but wanted to add a calming voice. I understand how you feel, but please do bear in mind that

a) they could well be happy to leave you on microgynon

b) if they are not, there are other contraceptive methods which can also help to alleviate period issues which you can try

c) 16 years is a long time, and your periods might not be remotely like they were in your 20s!

I think sometimes for me at least, it's the "not knowing" which is the worst. What will happen, will it be worse, how will I cope etc. But it's not a done deal, there are plenty of options!

Please get it reviewed, as above poster said there are other methods these days and you periods will likely have changed .
I'm a similar age to you and have taken the pill with no issues. Last year I had a pulmonary embolism due to the pill and the consultant said one of the factors was my age. Its really not worth no action.

@Mindymomo yes, I'm doing all I can to try and lower it myself - dieting, exercise but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Thank you for the tip about grapes!

@EnterFunnyNameHere thank you so much for the calming voice! It's definitely the fear of the unknown. It feels like I'm in a trap. I really just want to tell the dr I'm still getting normal readings (she lets me take them myself at home as I stress too much in the dr office!), but I know that's a stupid response.

@zigzagbetty that's a good reality check. I'd definitely be willing to go back to awful periods if staying on the pill meant I'd definitely have an embolism or stroke. But part of me keeps thinking that the stroke is just a "risk of", whereas I so don't want regular periods again and that would be definite if I came off the pill. I'm being a wuss, I know! Other women manage fine, I just seem to be a bit of a coward about it all.

@Jennyfi I would be honest with your GP - but also honest about your concerns in changing your contraception.

A lot of medicine is prescribed on a "least worst" basis - that's why even medicine with side effects get prescribed (if the side effect is less bad than not being on the medicine).

It could well be based on your exact circumstances the risks posed by staying on the pill are less than those caused by coming off, and you GP will be able to advise on either!

OP I have similar blood pressure to yours but I'm on a progesterone-only pill, also to control my periods like you. My GP is adamant that progesterone-only does not affect blood pressure, so it may be that you could switch your pill from combined to progesterone and still control your periods.

As an aside, when my blood pressure went up, my GP advised lifestyle changes - so I took up running and now I'm very fit, and I eat really nourishing, unprocessed foods, which brought my weight down, very slowly though because it wasn't a fad quick fix diet. So with these measures that I can control myself this means I have a very low risk of heart attack or stroke, despite the persistent elevated blood pressure, so I've avoided antihypertensives so far. Instead my bloods and urine are checked regularly, and I've had an ECG. I'll likely need antihypertensives at some point, but with the lifestyle changes I can hold that off for a while. I'm also in my 40s like you.

Another one coming on to say the progesterone only pill. I was put onto it (after years of microgynon for awful periods) after giving birth, as my pregnancy weight had put my BMI up. It's stopped my periods completely and I've now been on it for three years. No reason to go back!

I know what you mean about the anxiety. I was terrified to come off it to get pregnant, but thankfully conceived just two months after coming off it. It's a shame the pill is still so trial and error, but definitely "shop around".

It's really good to hear that you both had ok experiences with the progesterone only pill. It seems that it's pretty much down to luck how it affects your periods - I've heard horror stories about women bleeding continuously for months but it sounds like it's been really good for you?

I wish all the side effects were just less variable! I almost want to go to a "trial" doctor so I can talk to them about the different options without having to tell my real doc about the readings and explain why I'm asking (don't worry, I'm absolutely not going to waste doctors time really doing this!)

@Jennyfi

It's really good to hear that you both had ok experiences with the progesterone only pill. It seems that it's pretty much down to luck how it affects your periods - I've heard horror stories about women bleeding continuously for months but it sounds like it's been really good for you?

I wish all the side effects were just less variable! I almost want to go to a "trial" doctor so I can talk to them about the different options without having to tell my real doc about the readings and explain why I'm asking (don't worry, I'm absolutely not going to waste doctors time really doing this!)

It did take a while to settle down when I first went on it, and I think it's the same for most women. I still had my usual heavy periods for the first month or so, then they lightened up a bit, and I had quite a bit of intermittent light bleeding and spotting for a while. It probably took around 5 months to settle down. However, I've been on it for two years now and haven't had a period for 18 months. I'd be devastated if I had to come off it as my periods were ruining my life.

As a nice unexpected side effect, my moods evened out as well, which I wasn't expecting. I'd been having bouts of rage and irritation, and the progesterone-only pill seems to have calmed those a bit.

There are other pills out there which are less risky, I hadn't reviewed mine for years and the consultant I had afterwards said as I had got older my gp should have had a medication review with me. Hope you get sorted