To ask if there’s a pill that doesn’t have side effects?

[ThatsNotMyCherry]

I’m going to see my GP this week. A few years ago I was on microgynon which caused some weight gain and I think mood swings. I switched to another (can’t remember the name) and it was pretty much the same: All the alternatives I read about don’t have great side effects either :( Any suggestions?

I think it depends on the individual to be honest. I’ve been on microgynon for the last 15 years and had no problems with it at all. However my sister took it and turned into the most emotional awful person ever! She’s now on Yasmin and has no problems

Thanks, I’ve read a bit about Yasmin and it seems like it’s really difficult to have it prescribed and there’s a risk of blood clots. I guess I could just get a private prescription. It’s a small price to pay to not have to suffer the side effects

The pill doesn't cause weight gain but it can increase appetite. So if you are concerned about weight gain you could look at your diet when on the pill such as increase protein and snack on healthy things.

Full disclosure I was on microgynon for 10 years and didn't experience increased appetite or weight gain, but it effects everyone differently

Thanks. I’m actually working on my appetite at the moment as I’ve gained weight (post partum). I’m bringing it under control slowly but don’t want it to get messed up with the pill again!

Marvelon is quite good, I haven’t noticed any side effects from it.

The newer generation of combined pills are better, and it's definitely worth trying a few.

I've been on the lower dose (important!) version of Gederel/Marvelon for years, and have had no problems. I found Microgynon awful (weight gain, mood swings, headaches) and the minipill even worse.

One thing I like about the pill is that you can at least stop taking it - if I'd had an implant and reacted similarly to how I'd felt on cerazette, I'd have wanted to dig it out myself!

Cerazette turned me into a monster but my friend had it with no ill effects. I had Yasmin for a while (actually lost weight on it) but it gave me horrible headaches. I'm now on Microgynon with no issues.

Differents pills will affect each woman differently. Its a minefield!

Progesterone only was the only thing I could take as all the combined ones I took made me murderous and I bled constantly. There's a smaller window to take it though so you need to be quite organised.

Not IME, but different Pills have different side effects and you might find one that is tolerable for you.

I have a microgynon baby ( ) so hadn't used the Pill for years. I was recentlyish put back on the Pill to try and regulate my horrendous PMS a bit; the dr said "any side effects when you had this before? Other than getting pregnant of course hahaha." It seems OK at the moment, definitely does help with reducing wild mood swings and the worst of the PMS angst

Every pill is going to have a side effect on someone somewhere. None of them are going to be completely side effect free for everyone.
I'm on the mini pill and have had no issues, but some people will have side effects.

Lucette is the UK generic name for Yasmin. DD was prescribed no issues a couple of years ago, but she is low risk, so maybe that was why. She was taking for heavy periods, pain, and acne, and to start with was fine. Two years down the line, and she now has the same symptoms again. She is going to try coming off, and seeing how she goes, but if she is back to square one, she will need an alternative. Doctors have suggests either Marvelon, or Microgynon as alternatives.

There's not a pill (for anything actually), that doesn't have potential side effects.

I'm afraid it's trial and error to find one that works for you.

Sorry, but good luck finding what works for you.

I'm on levest and the only side effect has been that it's cleared my skin.

Qlara is a newish one. It is supposed to be quite good with few side effects.

Genuinely never had side effects from Yasmin,been on it 6 years.It helps with skin problems too.Microgymon turned me into a psychopath.

I’m on qlaira for perimenopausal mood swings and it resolves them like a dream. However I puff up like crazy with water retention so I come off it after a few months. Weirdly it resets my cycle and mood for a good few months, then I get my specific hormonal misery and go back on it.

Btw my gp said it’s fine to go on and off it (which surprised me), as long as you’re not relying on it for contraception

The thing is, a pill that suits one woman and gives her no side effects will not necessarily suit the next woman. The first pill I tried gave me side effects including headaches, I think. It was a long time ago so hard to remember. I then went on dianette for a while which was great. Then yasmin which was also great. No side effects at all and my skin was amazing on them both. I think you’ve just got to try one, see how you feel and go back to the Gp if you’re not happy.

I had Dianette which was FANTASTIC

I loved the combi pill, and had microgynon at one point, but got headaches during my week off, so I'm not allowed them anymore.

I've heard really good things about yasmin.

I've had several versions of the pregestogen only pill and had never ending periods, terrible skin and weight gain. Ditto with the mirena coil.

I don't use hormonal contraception anymore! Had nothing but trouble with it, except no babies. It absolutely sucks.

I might get sterilised if I can do it on NHS or ask DH to think about vasectomy.

Those that are taking Yasmin, are you not worried about clots? I’m thinking about giving it a go but that’s one thing that puts me off

@ThatsNotMyCherry

If you're worried about the side effects, read up on the % of it happening. That should reassure you

Remember too to give it several months (3-6) to settle down. I always find the first months on any pill pretty grim

I wason Marvelon & actually lost weight on it, no side effects whatsoever, only had to stop it when my GP said I was too old to take it at 44 & had a hysterectomy at 45.