Mini-pill for 16YO DD

[NeitherKilnerNorMason]

Hi. I took DD to the GP a few months ago because she suffers from heavy painful long periods. She's often sick, close to fainting, you can see she looks white as a sheet, loses 2 or 3 days of school every time and she's just miserable the whole way through.

We have tried Mefenamic acid but its efficacy hasn't made a huge difference.

Her GP has suggested we research on the different contraceptive options, so that's what I'm doing, and I would be very grateful to those of you whose teen DDs may experience similar and have gone on the pill.

Thanks!

There's no guarantee that any of them will stop her periods tbh

My DD suffered horrendous vomiting on the first 2 days of her period and ended up on the mini pill at 14 (now 19). She gets the occasional light break through bleed every few months but this is manageable compared to the vomiting.

Combined pill worked perfectly for me totally ended vomiting and heavy painful period

dd has been on mini pill (can’t take combined due to migraines) for 6 months. Has just changed brands as is feeling nauseous a lot, still has painful and very irregular periods. Takes mefanemic acid (improved things) and is starting transexemic acid too.

I don’t think this is working, and the next step they suggest is the Mirena coil. Has anyone else’s young, not sexually active dd had one?? I’m frightened on her behalf…

Are your dd periods very painful too?

Just thought I would mention how common endometriosis is and how very overlooked this condition is amongst health professionals.

I have had all your dd symptoms since my periods began at the age of 12 and have only just (at the age of 51) been diagnosed with endometriosis this is despite endless gp and gynae appointments.

My dd15 has the same symptoms and I am pushing for her to get seen but it’s like banging my head against the wall.

Hopefully, your dd doesn’t have endo, it’s just a case of her hormones being unsettled right now and the mini pill sorts things out but just thought I’d mention it as painful and very heavy periods shouldn’t be a ‘normal’ thing women have to endure. We are often told this time and time again but there is often a reason for these horrible periods.

@Silverumbrella - can I ask how you finally got a diagnosis? My dd is on mini pill but periods can still be awfully painful.. she's had a scan which showed nothing but I'm not convinced

OP you are right to be looking into this.

Dd had horrendous periods from the age of 14 (fainting, vomiting, flooding alongside pain and bloating.). Mefenamic acid did very little and the GP put her on the mini pill. This didn't suit her at all and as per a previous poster it affected her mental health badly.

Our local GP never suggested further investigation and it was only when she moved to London aged 19 and changed GP that she was referred. I was convinced that she had endometriosis but it turns out she has adenomyosis. She now has the coil fitted and it has helped immensely.

So don't be fobbed off, by all means try the mini pill but I feel that too many doctors default to it without thinking about the actual cause of the problem.

I asked for a pelvic mri with contrast. Endo doesn’t always show up on mri or I should say many regular radiologists can’t detect it via the report but I was lucky that mine was reviewed by a specialist endi radiologist.

I have had dozens of pelvic ultrasounds over the years, even one a month before the mri and it has never been picked up via US.
Its worth requesting a MRI if you dd hasn’t had one.

I don't know how old your daughter is, mine was 20 when she had the coil fitted but she is not and has never been sexually active.

It was an uncomfortable procedure but it is the only thing that has helped. She actually feels that she can live her life now.

If you or your daughter have any questions please DM and I'm sure she will be happy to reply.