If you are / were on the Pill, how did you know you had started perimenopause?

[Lottapianos]

I'm 43, and have been on the Pill for years (contraception). In the past few months, I have noticed some changes in my 7 day break - headaches, light night sweats, bleed starts a day later than it used to and finishes 1-2 days early. No sweats or headaches after I stop bleeding and start the next packet

So I THINK I may be starting perimenopause but I'm not sure. I need to continue to use contraception. Has anyone had a similar situation, what did you do and how did it work out? Ta

I went on the pill aged 48. I came off it two years ago aged 52 - I had an injury and couldn’t drive to the clinic so just stopped! I did wonder what would happen. I’m assuming I’m peri now as I have irregular period whereas up to being 48 they were very regular. So, I know that doesn’t answer your question but I didn’t know anything until I came off the pill.

No advice I'm afraid but I've always wondered how you'd know if you were on the pill 🧐

I asked my doc this as am on pill and having peri symptoms. She said that it world be hard to tell what stage am at (reluctant to give me hrt too) and generally assuming your symptoms aren't debilitating you stay on pill till 55.

I've been wondering the same.
I have a Mirena coil and don't get periods. I've definitely been a lot more ratty of late, had a couple of nights of hotness and occasional sweats on the day. All could be attributed to other things, but I've also been wondering if it's peri menopause.

Thanks everyone. Will carry on with the pill for now and see how it goes 👍

I’ve been wondering this too. I’m 48 and sure I am perimenopausal - seem to have cyclical pms symptoms, irritability mood swings, anxiety etc and just don’t feel myself. I noticed recently they seem to be worse just after the 7 day break so I tried reducing the break to 4 days which seemed to help a bit. At some stage I want to make the break and move to hrt as I think I need it but don’t know how to approach with the doctor.

I would like to know this too.. I'm on cerelle and haven't had a period for 15 years.. I'm 41..

I occasionally have night sweats.. headaches.. breast discomfort.. I have brain fog as I call it and itchy ears and eyes.. my doctor says these are all signs of perimenopause but didn't offer me a blood test to confirm that..

I am younger (38) but I wondered the same as I have sweat and other classic peri symptoms.
As a side note, my doctor has been pressuring me to change from the pill where you have a 7 day break between packs to one that you take continuously and they’ve told me that it’s due to my age, is this not the case for you? And the other pp’s on here who all seem to be on the 21 day pill?

'my doctor says these are all signs of perimenopause but didn't offer me a blood test to confirm that..'

They don't do a blood test anymore, as apparently it's not reliable because there is such variation in hormone levels, even in one day

You could have blood tests if you’re under 45 but would need to come off hormonal medication for 3 months prior and they’re not really necessary. Bloods should be done under 40.

Depending what sort of pill you’re on, your age and your symptoms, you won’t necessarily mask the menopause but a combined pill can ease some symptoms because of the oestrogen. If you’re on a combined pill you could switch to something like Zoely rather than take HRT yet.

Depends on your weight and BP, alongside age. Age alone isn’t a reason to switch without other issues.

That was me at 44. On my pill free days I got nauseous and headaches, withdrawal bleeds were less regular too.
I was also getting other symptoms like night sweats, occasional panic attacks, needing to wee in the night more, palpitations and joint aches.
Best thing to do is go on the free balance app and fill in the tick box symptom questionnaire and then take to your GP.
The oestrogen and progesterone in my HRT is body identical, and differently metabolised to the pill. My symptoms are much improved now