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Original poster

Mini pill?

36 replies

Whatadayyyyyyy · 16/05/2025 15:56

I am 43 and currently still on the combined pill. I recently went to renew my prescription and the doctor was telling me at this age they like women to swap to the mini pill. She said it has one hormone instead of 2 and instead of taking a week break you take it continuously. She said some women don’t bleed at all, some have a period as normal and some have random spotting.

What are folks experiences with this? I am reluctant to change. I don’t fancy the unpredictability of the bleeding!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/05/2025 16:10

There's no reason to swap to the mini pill if you don't have the risk factors that make it more dangerous. If you're overweight, smoke and/or have high blood pressure then its safer to switch away from combined contraceptives.

You can keep taking the combined pill until age 50 if you have no risk factors

thaegumathteth · 16/05/2025 16:11

I bled every single day for months and months

feelingbleh · 16/05/2025 16:11

I love the mini pill yes it's unpredictable but my periods are so light on it that they don't interfere with life. The first 3 months can be a bit all over the place but after that it settles I actually couldn't tell you the last time I had a period it's been months.

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feelingbleh · 16/05/2025 16:13

thaegumathteth · 16/05/2025 16:11

I bled every single day for months and months

I was like that on the implant

GraveAndQuiet · 16/05/2025 16:15

I liked the minipill. I had no bleeding whatsoever.

Foodfiend2025 · 16/05/2025 16:16

I'm on it. 2 years, not a single period. Life changer!

Original poster
Whatadayyyyyyy · 16/05/2025 16:44

Thank you! I don’t have any of the risk factors involved. Something that worries me is that it doesn’t stop ovulation? I still have regular sex with my partner and the pill is my contraceptive (yes we are both tested for std’s). Does it affect libido?

OP posts:
FionnulaTheCooler · 16/05/2025 16:45

I changed to the progesterone only pill a couple of years ago. I've had zero bleeding, no periods at all, it's brilliant.

feelingbleh · 16/05/2025 16:45

Whatadayyyyyyy · 16/05/2025 16:44

Thank you! I don’t have any of the risk factors involved. Something that worries me is that it doesn’t stop ovulation? I still have regular sex with my partner and the pill is my contraceptive (yes we are both tested for std’s). Does it affect libido?

It hasn't for me

flowersinthewindow5566 · 16/05/2025 16:51

The mini pill is amazing !! Years since I had a period and I’ve had no issues .

TokyoSushi · 16/05/2025 16:54

I'm 45 and have been on it for about 4 years, it's great! I have about 3 very light periods a year, the unpredictability is fine because they're kind of 'barely there' when you do get them. My GP said I could stay on it until I was 50, so if I can avoid even some of the peri menopausal bleeding that's really good.

SheilaFentiman · 16/05/2025 16:55

If your blood pressure and BMI is fine and your GP won’t prescribe (she probably will
if you push) then you can buy the pill from an online chemist like Superdrug, about £30 for 6 months supply.

Rowgtfc72 · 16/05/2025 16:58

Until 3 years ago I had periods regular as clockwork but very light.
Since peri hit they're practically non existent.
I can stay on the mini pill till I'm 55.
Doesn't effect my libido but I think I've gained a little weight with it.
Been on it 18 years though.

SheilaFentiman · 16/05/2025 16:58

It’s worth noting that you cannot be on the combined pill and HRT, but you can be on the POP and HRT, so it might not be the worst thing to try it in the near future to see if it works for you

TheGriffle · 16/05/2025 17:01

I have no bleeding at all on my progesterone only pill. I love it. Been on it 5 years now.

OneNeatLimeCritic · 16/05/2025 17:14

The mini pill has been fantastic for me in my 40s. My periods slowed down and completely stopped after being on it for 6 months or so.

Original poster
Whatadayyyyyyy · 16/05/2025 17:22

Thank you that is really helpful! I was reading online and a lot of folks say they had heavy prolonged bleeding so that really puts me off. I’ve just been given 6 months of combined pill so will maybe try it after these are done! I tend to run a couple of packs of my current pill together to skip a period so if the mini pill can possibly stop it then that is amazing

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 16/05/2025 17:30

I still had periods every month but light and only for 3 or so days

GinaTT · 16/05/2025 17:36

I have been on it for 12 years, I was told it was safe when breastfeeding. I think it’s great, I love having no period. I think the timescales if you miss it are stricter, so you just need to make sure you take it around the same time everyday.

Zanatdy · 16/05/2025 17:38

No bleeding for me for 10yrs plus, unless I forget one

amylou8 · 16/05/2025 18:29

I'm still on the combined pill at 48. No other risk factors. I'll reluctantly come off it at 50.
I was on the mini pill for a couple of years in my early 40s but it affected my mood badly.

Thecomfortador · 16/05/2025 18:39

I hated the mini pill, constant heavy periods. But that seems not to be the norm.

Original poster
Whatadayyyyyyy · 16/05/2025 18:42

GinaTT · 16/05/2025 17:36

I have been on it for 12 years, I was told it was safe when breastfeeding. I think it’s great, I love having no period. I think the timescales if you miss it are stricter, so you just need to make sure you take it around the same time everyday.

Yea that’s one of my main worries, that it will affect my mood! I am on a combi pill that works so reluctant to change it

OP posts:
Dampfnudeln · 16/05/2025 19:13

Been on the mini pill for a few years. No bleeding at all, no negative side effects. I'm a fan.

Tronkmanton · 16/05/2025 19:23

I went on the mini pill to stop my migraines about 5/6 years ago. It’s not only stopped my migraines but all my periods too. Absolute game changer. I just wish I’d discovered it years ago. The doctor said to me that a third of women have no periods on it, a third have light spotting/irregular and a third carry on as before. I sometimes forget my pill (I don’t use it for contraception) and still don’t have any bleeding.