Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask you guys to make this decision for me?

73 replies

Nicebucket · 19/02/2016 09:29

Ok, so I started taking the pill in December for painful periods, acne and horrible PMS.

The pill basically didn't help. I had breakthrough bleeding from the second month onwards, and the periods are still really painful. The acne became worse not better.

I went to my GP and he suggested two things- prescription painkiller for the periods or trying a different brand of the pill for three months more.

He suggested I try a different brand because painkillers are not a long term solution since I've had this issue of horrible periods for over 15 years now.

I really don't want to go on the pill againSad

It made me gain weight, it made me have terrible mood swings and it hasn't helped the periods at all. I got a period this month while on the pill and it's horrible.

What should I do? I've got a three month course of the new pill with me already but I'm inclined not to take it and go back for a painkiller prescription.
I'm so sick of this issue now, I want someone else to decide for me

What should I do?

OP posts:
MarieThereseLouise · 19/02/2016 10:19

Another one who doesn't think you have to have hormonal contraception in a long term relationship. Also had experience of strong sensitivity to hormones in pill - tried different ones but they all had terrible effect on mood and emotions (psychotic) with all of them. Seemed like living with permanent pmt at the time.

bumbleymummy · 19/02/2016 10:20

I'm actually going to back track a bit and agree with others that you should try to get a referral to a gynaecologist to see what's going on.

HighwayDragon1 · 19/02/2016 10:23

I have had cerezette and yasmin they were both shit for me, switched to celeste and never had a problem apart from pregnancy

perfumedlife · 19/02/2016 10:26

No way would I take an endocrine disrupting chemical to deal with heavy bleeding before finding out the cause. Have you been tested to see if you have PCOS or a b12 deficiency?

AbernathysFringe · 19/02/2016 10:32

NothingButaHoundDog Please be careful on long prescriptions of Dianette. Before the 6 months prescription advice came in I was on it for 10 years and it caused very bad mood swings and depression. I'm in the process of gathering info for an article on people's experiences on it.

LBOCS2 · 19/02/2016 10:47

The pill turned me into a hormonal lunatic. I was horrendous - and I tried four or five different types; some were better than others but none were great.

Then I had a Mirena fitted and it was amazing. I still get 'cycles' of hormones but I don't have an actual bleed and so I don't have any of the crippling pain I had because of it - like you, I was on prescription painkillers for them, along with a gynae referral.

I had my first coil fitted at 18, my second at 23 - both before having children. I had it taken out to conceive DC1, had another inserted afterwards, had it taken out to conceive DC2 and when this one's born I will have another Mirena put in.

Go and see a gynae. But if they don't find any obvious cause, I'd definitely suggest considering a Mirena.

LBOCS2 · 19/02/2016 10:48

Oh, and it is hormonal but it's a much lower dose - I read it was the equivalent of one mini pill every four days, which is obviously going to give a much lower impact.

louise2011 · 19/02/2016 10:55

I was on dianette for mild/moderate acne & awful heavy painful periods from 17-25. It was totally amazing but then I started to get breakthrough bleeding which was rubbish.
Tried another few pills- disastrous till I was put on Yasmin- it was amazing. Can you try this one?

After having children I stayed off the pill but in last couple of years my periods are horrific again. Trying the mirena coil to see if that helps soon. All my friends that have it think it's wonderful but they only use it as contraceptive- I want it to stop my periods!! I can't cope them them & the bad skin again

ghostyslovesheep · 19/02/2016 11:02

I'd try a different pill - I'm 46 with Endo and I am back on the combined pill - no breakthrough bleeding and no heavy periods - best bit - no agonising pain from ovulation onwards

I found the mini pill made me bleed constantly

gatewalker · 19/02/2016 11:02

In addition to all of these suggestions, I'd consider having a look at your diet and your lifestyle. How much sugar do you eat? How much fresh, whole food? How much meat? How much do you exercise?

I know a significant number of women whose pain and complications have minimised substantially with dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Including me.

Original poster
Nicebucket · 19/02/2016 11:28

I have a healthy lifestyle. I don't have a sweet tooth anyway, so I don't eat sugary foods. I eat fruit, but again in moderation so not too much sugar.

I only eat Wholewheat carbs. I don't eat red meat, I do eat chicken, eggs, tofu:

I do exercise and I have a healthy lifestyle.

I don't think my lifestyle or diet is causing my painful periods, I've already discussed that with my GP.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 19/02/2016 11:30

I only eat fresh food? I don't eat ready meals, I haven't been to a McDonaldsoe Burger King etc in over 8 years probably.

I'm sure there's always room for improvement in anyone's diet, but I don't think that's what's causing my issues

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 19/02/2016 11:31

I might go see the female GP in the practice and ask for gynae referral.

I will definitely be asking for the painkiller prescription anyway, I need those. I should have pushed for it today also, not sure why I didn't

OP posts:
jevoudrais · 19/02/2016 11:32

It took five months for things to get manageable for me on the pill.

SupSlick · 19/02/2016 11:39

Hi OP

I tried numerous pills for my acne & horrific periods - I would get them last 15 days with a week or so break then get another one. Similarly, they were very painful & made me feel really really sick, as well as making me fat, moody & didn't help with my acne much.

I'm now on the contraceptive injection which I have every three months & I don't get periods anymore!!! I can still be a moody cow but my acne has finally settled down to? Maybe ask a Sexual Health Nurse for advice on other forms of contraception?
There's so much choice out there & it'll be worth trying different types until you don't have to deal with these symptoms anymore, but I second previous posters about a referral to see if you have endometriosis.

hooliodancer · 19/02/2016 11:42

Mefanaemic acid changed my life! I was prescribed it by an emergency doctor at 4 am called by a flatmate who couldn't believe I was 'only' suffering period pain.

I only had to take 2 or 3 a month and , for me , it knocked it on the head. I was about 27 when I first had it.

What really made a difference for me was starting to do a lot of exercise, when I was around 33. It made a huge difference. If you already exercise then apologies! It never seems to get mentioned anywhere, but for me it stopped the dreadful pain, and replaced with normal period pain - by which I mean very slight cramps for a few hours that can be stopped with a nurofen.

I started going to the gym for an hour 5 times a week. I still go for an hour, but 3 or 4 times. It changed everything. Worth a go if you font already do it !

saura · 19/02/2016 11:42

My experience is extremely similar to yours. I tried everything.

The only pill that didn't give me acne and all the rest was dianette - however you can only go on that for 6 months due to blood clots.

The implant was awful for my skin and I bled non stop for a year.

I would love to try the non hormonal coil as have heard great things from friends who also got acne from the pill. It didn't work for me because they said they couldn't get it in :S It may work for you though?

OliviaBenson · 19/02/2016 11:50

I had good results with microgynon. However, your dr should be taking you seriously- please do push for a referral to a gyne dr. No one should have to suffer and they should at least try and find a cause.

sparechange · 19/02/2016 11:54

It won't help with the PMS or acne, but have you tried using a mooncup?

It was transformative for me, and I went from having the most painful periods (diclofenec, co-codamol) to hardly needing a regular paracetamol.

RaspberryOverload · 19/02/2016 11:59

Exercise is often recommended for period pain, but it doesn't work for everyone.

Works for me but makes pain worse for my DD.

rioblue · 19/02/2016 12:08

If you've been suffering for so many years then I would say give it another 3 months on a different one and see how you go. As pp's have said, they can all have very different effects so you might be pleasantly surprised. I was on Dianette at one time and also sent me crazy. I had Depo (I think that's what it's called - the injection every six months) and that didn't agree with me either - emotions all over the place and I was very snappy... although it was mostly the time right after the shot when I felt the biggest effect. But plenty of people get on fine with both of these (or neither - I've actually felt the most stable in years since coming off them all). I think your own hormones go through different stages over the years and you may find that things just even out on their own eventually if you can't get on with any of the pills.
Good luck.

bettyberry · 19/02/2016 12:15

I would demand to be checked for endometriosis (sp?) demand the gynae referral and get your womb, ovaries etc scanned and checked. The only way to confirm endometriosis is via exploitative surgery

the nhs has some good info on it www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Endometriosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

the gynae would also rule out polycystic ovaries and other conditions so defo demand a referral but really spell it out how much the pain is limiting your life for an entire week every month.

perfumedlife · 19/02/2016 12:17

If you don't eat red meat, it's worth having your iron and B12 checked as deficiencies in these can cause heavy bleeding.

cheapandcheerful · 19/02/2016 12:23

My period pains have not eased in the slightest since having dc.

I also recommend trying a different pill.

Stoneagemum · 19/02/2016 12:35

I have found Yasmin/Lucette brilliant for PMS, acne and no weight gain. I also had to go through several 3 month cycles of different ones before I settled with this one

Swipe left for the next trending thread