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Original poster

Experiences of taking the mini pill

56 replies

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 16:21

I went for my pill check today and the nurse recommended I change to the mini pill. I’m 42, overweight and my blood pressure is a bit high (not terrible though). I’ve been on Millinette for around 4 years (since Loestrin got discontinued, but been on others since I was 18 except pregnancy) and I mentioned that I get terrible headaches for a day or two before I’m due on and for the first couple of days of my period. This together with the other factors meant that she thought the mini pill would be safer. I haven’t collected the prescription yet so don’t know which It’ll be but she said it’s one with a 12 hour window. After reading up about it I’m really concerned about terrible side effects especially acne and hair loss. My skin and hair are my only good features. I know that sounds really vain, but I don’t want problem skin. I honestly don’t think I look good at all, but I do have clear skin. If you’ve taken the mini pill how did you find it?

OP posts:

Hecate01 · 26/09/2023 16:29

Not what you want to hear but I had a terrible experience on the mini pill. I had cystic acne for the first time ever and my hair has indeed fallen out and it's still not back to the condition it was in prior to the mini pill.

Other side effects were weight gain but the most alarming one was the effect it had on my moods. It nearly cost me my relationship and at some points I didn't recognise myself, I was either angry, depressed or anxious. I've never ever suffered with mental health issues and nothing in my life had changed to give me a reason for it.

It took me numerous visits to my GP and I finally got to see one who sympathised and said that my body obviously doesn't tolerate the hormone in the mini pill. As soon as I came off it I felt better, the only good thing was no periods.

I do recognise that not everyone is the same and I know women who take the mini pill successfully with no problems. I think you'd have to try it to see and could always stop if you had problems.

IamSmarticus · 26/09/2023 16:36

I took cerazette (desogestrel) for 10 years - no side effects whatsoever and the added bonus of no periods either!

Original poster

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 16:36

Thanks @Hecate01 your experience is exactly what I’m afraid of. Tbh I could see this coming with my age and weight. God I really don’t want to gain more weight. And the change in mood sounds terrible. I know there’s probably not much of an alternative, but I’m scared to try it.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Women's health

Original poster

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 16:37

@IamSmarticus that is the stuff of dreams.

OP posts:

Chocolate23 · 26/09/2023 16:38

IamSmarticus · 26/09/2023 16:36

I took cerazette (desogestrel) for 10 years - no side effects whatsoever and the added bonus of no periods either!

Same for me I started taking it 12 years ago after my daughter was born and I have had no side effects or periods since.

Thecomfortador · 26/09/2023 16:39

Constant, heavy bleeding for weeks on end. Awful experience.

Aparecium · 26/09/2023 16:48

Hated it. It had no effect on my skin or hair, but it messed with my head. I kept getting all my very very early, (hmmm should I test?) pregnancy symptoms. I also struggled with making sure I took it on time.

I was much happier with a Mirena, which I got at the same age as you, also overweight. No side effects whatsoever. I'm on my 4th one now, as it is part of my HRT

Owjrbvr · 26/09/2023 16:55

I’ve taken it twice - once was great with no periods. Second time lots of random bleeds so I move to the implant.
No skin issues or hair issue though

Original poster

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 17:22

Good to see a couple of people have got on well, but it’s not sounding great so far. @Aparecium that's interesting about the marina, I thought it was the same hormone as the mini pill? Pleased it’s working out for you though.

OP posts:

popandchoc · 26/09/2023 17:24

I bled every 2 weeks when on it but no other side of effects I can remember .

Mumofteenandtween · 26/09/2023 17:24

I’ve been on it for years. No periods. No impact on hair or skin. Not gotten pregnant yet!

dementedpixie · 26/09/2023 17:26

Cerazette (desogestrel based) mini pill stopped my periods for a few years and then I got the mirena coil. I didn't lose hair or get bad skin with the mini pill.

The good thing about it is if you get unwanted side effects you can just stop taking it.

atomicnotsoblonde · 26/09/2023 17:30

Love cerazette. No side effects or periods. Winner for me.

claireymrsd · 26/09/2023 17:30

My daughter had a terrible time on it she basically bled non stop so stopped taking it after a couple of months.
Her periods have been much heavier since too.

dementedpixie · 26/09/2023 17:30

Although mirena is also only progesterone based it has a different hormone to some of the mini pills so you can get different side effects

There are 3 different families of mini pills these days - the desogestrel ones have a 12 hour window and the other 2 have a 3 hour window to take them

Roserunner · 26/09/2023 17:31

I'm on cerelle (I think that's how it's spelt), I don't have periods and haven't noticed any issues with my hair or skin.

MsFrost · 26/09/2023 17:41

IamSmarticus · 26/09/2023 16:36

I took cerazette (desogestrel) for 10 years - no side effects whatsoever and the added bonus of no periods either!

I also took cerazette/ cerelle for many years. It was the only thing that worked for me with minimal side effects, after bad experiences of the combined pill. It didn't cause problems with my hair or skin (I've always had problem skin, but this pill didn't make it any worse). I'd recommend giving it a go and you can always come off it if it causes issues.

Cowlover89 · 26/09/2023 17:43

I had a terrible experience. Got all the side effects. I literly went batshit and suffered panic attacks and anxiety. Never again

goldfootball · 26/09/2023 17:44

I’m on Hana and it’s been absolutely fine.

Original poster

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 17:56

A real mixed bag. I will give it a go because I’ve been on some form of pill since I was 18 and only stopped twice to get pregnant. I’m just a bit nervous about this one.

OP posts:

LifeofBrienne · 26/09/2023 18:01

Been on desogestrel for about 16 years except when TTC or pregnant. No side effects, no periods, all good.

Original poster

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 18:03

The one that’s been prescribed has a 12 hour window so it must be one containing desogestrel.

OP posts:

Blinkingmarvellous · 26/09/2023 18:05

I was fine with it. Definitely worth a try but sensible to track your moods/ symptoms if you're worried about the side effects

fishfingersandtoes · 26/09/2023 18:08

I had a bad experience with it.
Constant spotting, no sex drive, acne, low mood and awful panic attacks. All cleared up really quickly when I stopped taking it.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 26/09/2023 18:13

Got cystic acne on it, took roaccutane.

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