Talk to me about the best contraceptive pill

[Pertulagordinosbestmate]

I’m looking to go onto the pill. Not been on one since in my teens 😀but nows that time again. I’d like your opinions on which is best. Ideally looking for something that will stop my periods if possible! I am over 35. Thanks!

Definitely worth a chat with a professional (e.g. from your GP surgery or a family planning clinic) about what you're looking for and your general health as there is a fair bit of variation in how they work, side effects etc. Before I went on the pill y hormones were imbalanced and I also had some hormonal acne - I was put on Yasmin (which became Lucette) for years without issue. But I know people for whom those gave bad side effects; if you're just looking to stop your periods their recommendation might be quite different.

The best contraceptive pill is different for each person.

Talk to your GP about it. Some pills may not be suitable for you if you have certain medical conditions or history.

I would like to know this too. I have not found the GP particularly knowledgeable about it. And there is the added issue of cost: you are pushed towards the lower cost pills initially (understandably). So you don’t really get an unbiased opinion.

There isn’t one single ‘best’ pill because it will vary for everyone. You can’t just rock up at the GP and tell them what you want to be prescribed anyway. They will decide.

The one I found best for me was Yasmin, but my GP stopped prescribing it because apparently it came with a bigger risk of long term health effects, but it was probably too expensive and they’d rather prescribe cheaper pills.

Tried many! Cerezette - no periods at all - no mood swings - life is good

But I agree, every body is different!

Cerazette has been good for me too.

The one that suits you is best, be prepared to try a few.

At 35, they probably won't want to start you on the combined pill, so that leaves the mini. I'd prefer something with desogestrel, which is the more modern mini pill that stops ovulation as we as thinking the lining (old mini pills just did the latter, so had a three hour window to be taken every day).

I have been on various brands of desogestrel (including cerazette, cerelle and generic) and not noticed any difference. Spotting for the first 3-4 months and now no period since the 6 month mark

If you are interested, I can really recommend Dr Sarah Hills book "how the pill changes everything", it's not anti hormone, just super interesting

Thank you all. I know I need to see the GP but thought that if I went with some knowledge of what is available I’d stand more of chance of coming away with what I want. I don’t have any medical issues so hopefully only my age will be a factor 😂

I’m over 35 have just been put on Yasmin. Combined pills are fine as long as you don’t have any risk factors for strokes eg migraines, smoking.

As Pp said there’s no ‘best’ for everyone but some do have better reputations than others. I asked for Yasmin because I know lots of people who like it.

Does it have to be a pill? The implant tends to stop periods and you don't have to remember to take it!

I liked the information on this website:
thelowdown.com/

In particular this article explains the difference between the pill groups
thelowdown.com/blog/low-medium-and-high-oestrogen-pills-explained

As PP said you may need to try a pill from different groups before you find one that suits.