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

[Nicebucket]

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 again

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?

Agree Yasmin is most effective for acne but most GPs are not keen on prescribing it as it is by far the most expensive. It is still available though.

I would stick with trying new pill. They all affect you differently, and you might find it is a better option for you, but it's very normal with a bit of bleeding in the beginning (for me at least).

Try a new pill, when my Dr put me on a different one to my usual, I was really ill with stomach cramps and heavy breakthrough bleeding and very moody, I insisted that he put me back on the original one or an alternative.

I'm thirding getting checked for endometriosis. It's good to know what's going on.

In the meantime trying the other pill can't be a terrible option.

Louise2011 try Marvelon? I used this for my skin and insansely irregular periods.

He didn't prescribe Yasmin which charges for just the brand- he prescribed Lucette which is identical just not branded.

So if Yasmin is effective for acne, this will be too.

Has anyone been on Lucette before though?

To the PP who asked, I've already been taking mefanamic acid tablets. And they're very helpful! I couldn't function during my period without them.

Also, my GP surgery seems to be pretty stingy about specialist referrals.

I had repeated bouts of tonsillitis And they never referred me to an ENT specialist even though the AnE doctor who treated me said that I HAD to go to one.

So I'm not hopeful they'll refer me to a gynae specialist

All pills are completely different. The minipill turned me into a homicidal raging megabitch and dud nothing to lighten them. Combined pill (microgynon) is a godsend. Try it for a few months. Trust me when I say you don't want to go long term on painkillers.

I was on Yasmin for years - my skin massively improved and I did away with periods by taking the packs back-to-back.

Give it a month or so and see how it goes.

I'd also recommend getting a referral to a dermatologist and getting some roaccutane - good time to do it if you're single atm.

Ditto the referral. And a recommendation for the injection- usually it stops periods completely, although no idea what it does for acne.

It took 8 different pills - 6 months each before finding right one. I have horrible pms, very heavy painful periods - like in bed it's so bad.

Ended up at specialist and put me on Marvelon. It's an older pill but I found it great. Dianette was fab bit no longer can be used as contraceptive.

Don't get copper coil as makes periods heavier. Progesterone only like implant and Minera can flair acne - mine became horrendous.

For acne as Dr for dalacin t topical solution. It's antibiotic lotion applied to skin.

ENT is different. The have new criteria for referrals my GP explained it, I have dysfunctional Eustachian tubes and get repeated ear/throat infections so I have to waste my GPs time going in every time I get blocked ears to have it on record to prove the referral :( She is convinced I need grommets and further investigation (I've been 6 weeks with limited hearing in my right side)

For gynae it was pretty straightforward because heavy periods and pain can be caused by so many things it often the only option to get to the bottom of it and GPs aren't always aware of it.

I've had some terrible male GPs. One who said my monthly cycle could not possibly impact on my IBS even though the physical symptoms said otherwise gynae confirmed hormones can have an effect on IBS just like being pregnant can leave you constipated and one even said my mirena coil doesn't have any side effects the leaflet said otherwise

anyway, I still think a specialist will be the best option to finding the cause of your symptoms rather than masking them with the pill. If its Endo or PCOS for example there can be complications with fertility and increased risk of developing some health conditions. Knowing is better way to prevent them.

Don't get copper coil as makes periods heavier.

Not always true.

I found in my case I simply have the same-ish level of blood loss, but it's front loaded, ie heavy in the first couple of days and tailing off very rapidly after, rather than the previous steady loss over several days I'd had before. I don't believe my periods are any heavier overall.

I would seriously recommend the depo injection. I have hardly any bleeding or pain now. Coming from someone who suffered for years with endometriosis!

The pill made me mental too. I have a mirena coil now. My periods have almost disappeared so it's worth it for that alone. The hormones are less than what's in the pill, and they're released right down where they're needed so I find it doesn't affect me like the pill did with moods.

I don't think it's done much for my acne. It hasn't made it worse though.

It did hurt to put in, even though I've had kids, but it didn't hurt for long and now it's in for 5 years so it was well worth it. I can't feel it in there now.

First step IMO would be to be referred to a gynecologist. This could easily be endometriosis or a fibroid for example.

Then yes different type of pill will give you a different type of reaction. Some people do well on one but not so good on the other.the thing is everyone reacts differently so it's not because someeople on this thread have done well with xxx that you will too. You will have to try it out.

Mireva coil can be helpful but it depends on which pill you were on (ie if it's similar to the pill you took, the result will be similar). I did get more pain on the coil though but some people find their periods goes down to nothing and the pain goes.

Rather randomly, a diagnosis of coeliac disease and giving up gluten totally solved my period pains.

I'd had loads of gynae investigations but no solutions offered which would preserve fertility and I'd resigned myself to the fact that I could make them just about manageable with ibuprofen ahead of time, stick on heat packs etc. when I got the coeliac diagnosis. Wasn't expecting it to make any difference to my menstrual cycle at all.

Different pills suit different people, so do try the new one.

Even if your diet is good, some added omega 3 oils and zinc supplements often do wonders for adult acne.

I've taken a number of pills, both combined and mini.

Mycrogynon had no side effects but no benefits (other than contraception which was mainly why I used it. Dianette as I had bad acne- it made my acne worse, my periods really painful and gave me stomach pain, I was one of the weird ones. Cilest, really light periods, good skin, but slight weight gain (due to being hungry, kept my eating in check and it was fine. I then found out you shouldn't take the combined pill if you have migraines with aura so they put me on cilest. I LOVE it. No periods ever (I used to run packs together anyway), skin is ok (better than other pills and better than when not on a pill) and it cured my ibs!

So what I'm saying is that there are loads of different pills and they are not all the same. Try a few, there will be one for you.

Oh and I got pregnant second month off cilest and have just gone back on it after having my baby.

I agree with getting a referral too. I'm a lot older than you, and tried pretty much everything going for my painful, irregular and prolonged periods. Turns out I had fibroids, by the time they were discovered my only option was a hysterectomy (it wasn't an issue for me as we had completed our family). But an earlier diagnosis could have save many years of pain and discomfort.

Has anybody been on the depo injection had my first injection about 8 weeks ago was fine at first but I've been feeling sick and anxious for the last 2 weeks bad head aches, wondering if anybody else has felt like this 😢

I found Dianette a brilliant pill for acne / facial hair reduction / period pain! So did my SIL. Unfortunately now too old for the combined pill so now have the coil!