To think the mini pill isnt going to work for me either.

[Londongirl88888]

I was put on the mini pill desogestral a month ago for heavy periods. For 19 days it worked. No side effects. It appeared to have stopped my period. 4 days after my period was due I began spotting. I was still happy and thought this was much better than heavy periods. But after 5 days of spotting the bleeding began. It's still a light-medium flow 11 days later (16 days after spotting began)

I rang my surgery Friday. He was a locum Dr with poor English. He asked me what I wanted to do. I asked him what he thought I should do? . He said he didn't know. He couldn't give me anything to stop the bleeding and I can't take the combination. So he said see how I go and ring back in 2 weeks if I'm no better.

Anyhow I feel sickly and weak. I take iron and vitamin b everyday. I'm eating well. I'm drinking plenty of vitamin c.

Has anyone got any experiences of this pill. It was supposed to improve my health but it's making it worse so far.

I have put it in here to get people to see my post. I really need to know how the pill worked for people to see if it's time to stop taking it. I would rather bleed heavy for 7 days than bleed for over 2 weeks. Thanks all!

@ChequerBoard

Are you serious? The GPS are still there for other issues. Do you think everyone else's health should be neglected unless it's coronavirus? The GPS are at the drs surgery and continuing to help patients who need support. They are not dealing with coronavirus.

Also racist? That's how he reacted in the conversation we had. He hadn't heard me say I could not have the combination pill. He also said he didn't know what to suggest and asked me what I wanted. My usual Dr is a lovely African lady who is wonderful. I'm far from racist!!! Your comment is odd and very aggressive.

Thanks everyone I'll keep going for a couple of months and hopefully things will settle down.

My friend and I coincidentally started the mini pill in the same month.

I had light unpredictable periods for 3 months (on and off, not constant). Hers lasted 6 months. Neither if us has periods anymore but she was losing hope slowly that it'd be the right decision for her but did stick it out.

Some women take longer to adjust but in my experience it's worth it. No more being terrified of bleeding through within 10 minutes of cleaning myself up, no more agony. Just a pill once a day and I'm done.

OP of course I'm bloody serious??

What planet are you on?

I'm sure we dont want a bunch of unwanted pregnancies at this time so of course the GP will deal with contraception issues

@ChequerBoard

You are very silly if you think other health issues no longer matter. Minor health issues still matter. What a very strange view you have. Do you expect other people to just suffer and get worse. I have been unwell due to my bad periods and the drs want me to have regular blood tests and keep in touch with my situation. I don't understand why you are acting so strange!

People don't stop being people whilst this virus is about. You perhaps need to see someone about your over the top reaction. Accusing someone of wasting a drs time and being racist is weird!!!

@snaga
Thank you so much for your post. I am going to stick it out. It sounds like around the 3-6 month mark I will know how it's going to go. So do you never spot etc now? How long have you been on it now?

It took me ages to settle on this pill. My period eventually stopped for six months but then I had erratic bleeding I've just come off it but my period was heavier, I'm spottier and bloated and considering going back on it.

It's not a contraception issue, it's a fussing that the new pill she's been given hasn't instantly sorted out her periods. It's not an urgent problem and I can't believe she got an appointment for such a non-issue.

Yes OP, GPS are there to treat other health problems (though obviously massively stretched due to Covid-19) such as heart failure, COPD, diabetes, you know actually illnesses that need medical attention .

It took me 5-6 months before I stopped bleeding completely. And even now if I miss one I will bleed.

You need to give it a chance to work, starting it mid-way through certainly isn't going to stop any bleeding.

Use common sense and stop ringing your doctor over matters that are solved with a google search.

I rang the drs once because I needed advice on whether to carry on or stop. You are telling me to Google it??? Is that not the worst advice ever when you don't know my medical history??

Also gps are not looking after coronavirus patients. They are here to look after the usual patients who need help still.

I can't believe the attitude of some people. I have asked other women for their experiences of this pill. Not asked non doctors to decide if I should get medical advice. The Dr told me to call back in 1-2 weeks if no improvement. Shall I tell him Sarah and Clare from Mumsnet said I shouldn't be bothering you with such pathetic problems. The fact I've had scans and they have tried many tablets and stuff to help me. This is an ongoing problem and I do need to communicate with my GP surgery to make sure I don't end up really bad as last year I had a blood transfusion due to this issue.

I understand coronavirus is all we talk about now but there really are other issues still happening. Nobody should Google their health over talking to a Dr. Nobody should ignore a problem due to Coronavirus. There is always someone on this site trying to be smart. Heard it all now.

Racist
Wasting the drs time
Stop calling the Dr and Google your symptoms. Thank god you two didn't choose medicine!

I've been on it 2 years now (can't take the combi pill either). Takes about 6 months to settle down and I've had a couple.of surprise periods in that time. Otherwise fantastic.

@jorisbonson

Thank you! Ir sounds like the way it goes for many then. It's reassuring to know this could still help me. I'm happy to have the odd one. I am usually so bad I can't get of the sofa for a few days afterwards as I will pass out. My chest gets so weak and I was having palpations so they tried me on this to try settle that. I'm just hoping long term it will.

GPS are not looking after Coronavirus patients??

OP are you really that stupid? Who do think is dealing with exacerbations of patients in the community? You don't just get CV and go straight to hospital you know.

Our NHS is Street her to its limits right now. Staff from mental health and community services are being redeployed to staff Acute wards and the new Nightingale and field hospitals. Elective surgery and even cancer treatments are being cancelled.

In normal times you can fuss and bother your GP if you like and if they will put up with you.

Not now.

Try thinking about other people for a bit, that may take your mind off a bit of breakthrough bleeding from your pill.

I tried it for 6 months , first 3 months were fine , with one lightish 7-10 day bleed , then on month 3 I started bleeding and didn’t stop , some days heavy , some days clots some days light so very difficult to plan what sanitary protection to use as I’d no idea what was going to happen . I’ve now come off it to see how things go , according to my GP I’ve tried everything he can offer and next stop will be a gynae ref . I’m early 50s and taking it for heavy periods so I’m holding off to see how things go and hopefully I will hit the menopause sooner rather than later .

Who do think is dealing with exacerbations of patients in the community? You don't just get CV and go straight to hospital you know.

Well, it's not the GPs AFAIK. You go to the 111 website if you think you have coronavirus. If your symptoms match, they'll tell you to call 111. If the result of that call is that you're ok for now, you stay at home. If they think you need an ambulance, they send one. If the paramedics think you need it, you go to a special area of a hospital designated for coronavirus cases. Under no circumstances should you be visiting your GP with suspected coronavirus.

@ChequerBoard

Are you suggesting GPS just put up with people? I hardly waste their time. They request to see me every couple of months and they are trying me on this pill!
you really are trying to find a fight. This is not about me breakthrough bleeding. It's about me not getting so weak from bloodless again that I need blood transfusions and hospital care. Think beyond your petty attack and realise you don't have a clue about me or my situation!

My surgery tell you to ring 111 if you have symptoms and under no circumstances go in. They have an app called ask my gp. I filled that out. A receptionist said a dr wanted to call me this afternoon.

You can't just expect others to not need help for things because you think it's pathetic. If you felt as weak as I did sometimes you would want help. Palpations and exhaustion. Unable to function when you have kids. This is way more than a pill issue. But you are ignorant and I won't be replying to you again. Drs want to help people.

Idiots like you trying to advise people they have nothing wrong is dangerous. If everyone stops going to the gp about stuff you will have alot more deaths and illness ahead.

As for cancer patients being cancelled. That's to protect them more than anything. They can't afford to get this virus. Ofcourse it's massively unfair on them. The situation is crap. But me having a five minute phone chat with a Dr hasn't caused any problems for Corona patients. You are ridiculous. Bye!

I could have written this, OP...I’m going through the same thing right now so I completely empathise. The first month was amazing, I had my period as expected but it was 4 days of really light bleeding and that was it. I’m now 3 months in and it’s gone downhill. The last two periods have been horrendous and in the last 8 weeks I’ve only had 3 weeks with no bleeding at all. I’m trying to persevere until things settle down as I know they’re really busy but it’s not easy.

I’ve tried all sorts, and now can’t have the combined pill because of migraines. My GP was hesitant even trying me on this because he didn’t think it would work and thinks the only option for me now is the Mirena but I’m really hesitant. I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get it sorted now though. Although I’m secretly hoping persevering for the next few months will let this one settle down and I can carry on.

Hugs OP

@Floralnomad

Thank you for your post. Such a shame it didn't help you. I think I'm headed the same way as you. I'm 31 but I've had nothing but problems since the birth of my second child. They have scanned me and so far they say it's just bad luck. No fibroids etc. Fingers crossed for you. Isn't it fun being a women!

@biscuitBean

My original gp said she didn't think it would suit me. But the locum one told me to try it. It's so hard when you get different opinions. I'm also hoping it settles soon. I hope yours does too. Seems like 6 months is average on here. Do you suffer from low iron? Does it make you feel weak etc?

You dont want to be constantly bleeding do you! Ive wondered about the womb ablation procedure? But it sounds abit scary.

@Londongirl88888 Yeah I figured it give it 6 months and hope it improves. It’s awful, and I do find that most people don’t understand how bad it can be, how bad it can make you feel and what the complications can be. I have issues with iron deficiency on and off depending how bad it’s been. I get really bad pain as well so have had lots of investigative procedures around possible endometriosis. They’ve never found anything and my last gynae consultant told me I’m just very fertile as apparently that can give you more pain so wasn’t particularly helpful.

At least I’m WFH for the foreseeable so won’t need to take sick days when I’m in so much pain I can’t walk, and have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight! I’ve looked into ablation...a good friend of mine is on the waiting list for it, so I thought I’d let her go first and let me know how she gets on!

Hi London girl,
My two dd’s have a similar story to you - unable to tolerate combination pill and mini pill didn’t work. Multiple infusions and oral iron for years. They have both done very well with the mirena - no breakthrough bleeding in 4 years and finally not anaemic. It’s been life changing.
Anaemia is a very valid reason to be consulting your GP and the symptoms you describe suggest you are anaemic. It is extremely ignorant to suggest otherwise. Hope you feel a whole lot better soon

For the uninformed OP who seems to think GPS have nothing to do with Covid-19...

https://www.gponline.com/gps-call-suspension-routine-appointments-during-coronavirus-outbreak/article/1676337

And your point is? The article you’ve linked to mentions the suspension of routine appointments, but does clearly make the distinction between routine and emergency appointments. Check ups, routine monitoring of non-life threatening long term conditions; routine. Found a lump in your breast, mental health crisis, long term heavy bleeding potentially resulting in severe anaemia and possibly requiring a transfusion; not a routine appointment. Quite simple really. The OP’s requirement is not that of a routine appointment.

HTH

I think chequerboard would rather the op suck it up and end up in hospital having a blood transfusion than bother the GP.
How odd!

I’d wait a couple of months and see how you go.

It took a couple of months of spotting/bleeding at times before it settled for me from memory.

Since then it has been great, I do still get my regular periods with it though but they are light. No side effects though and it suits me perfectly. I’ve been on in since breastfeeding and I won’t change now as I don’t want to risk trying something that doesn’t suit as well.

Because I don’t want another pregnancy I do still use a ovulation app and we use condoms as well when I’m in the fertile window as I know the mini pill isn’t as effective as other pills and I prefer to double up on the contraception during those times.