AIBU to quit the mini pill after 2.5 weeks?

[happylittlevegemites]

I’m on the mini pill for heavy periods. I don’t need it for contraception. The Gp won’t put me on a combined pill (which I was on in my 20s and 30s) as I might have migraine auras.

I feel like I have the most horrific PMS in the world. I was stressed, feeling low and anxious already, but it’s just amplified it and now I feel I can’t cope.

The GP actually wants me on the coil, and I’ve always resisted as I’m concerned about the side effects. So the idea was that if I tolerate the mini pill, then I’d agree to have the coil. I’m feeling very glad I didn’t give in to pressure!

Yanbu have the periods been investigated?

Yanbu. I stopped taking it after about 1 week (years ago) because I felt exactly the same way, I was a complete mess, and really edgy and panicky. Within 2/3 days of stopping it I was completely fine again!

I was the same OP. Couldn't tolerate it at all. I became angry overnight, and couldn't bring myself to stay on it in the hope it settled. Thought I might do something dreadful that I'd regret for everyone!Now I'm thinking I'm about ready for HRT but I'm a little anxious about that affecting me in the same way. I would never agree to taking anything that would be permanent, like coil or implant.
I had heavy periods after my youngest was born, and I had a d&c. I don't know if that is still done as it was 20 years ago, but periods have been fine ever since (till they stopped)
Best of luck. I remember the feeling very well!

*regret for ever

@Siameasy

Yanbu have the periods been investigated?

Yep. Three years ago I was referred to gynaecology, had an ultrasound, hystroscopy and biopsy (ouch!!!). I was put on tranexamic acid (?spelling) which didn’t help. The GP said I wasn’t pre-menopausal, but was getting older.

I've tried the mini pill twice and both times hated how it made me feel. I also had breakthrough bleeding and terrible spots on it. I also started to think my doctor's practice were sponsored by Mireba coil because every doctor or nurse I've seen there promotes it quite forcefully!

I'm 45 and my gp said no reason not to stay on the combined pill if my bp remains normal, my weight is low and I don't smoke.
I'm not sure whether you suffer with migraines or not? Unfortunately that's a risk factor.

If you have a long term partner, would he consider a vasectomy?

@eandz13

Yanbu. I stopped taking it after about 1 week (years ago) because I felt exactly the same way, I was a complete mess, and really edgy and panicky. Within 2/3 days of stopping it I was completely fine again!

It’s good to know it’s super reversible. I might stop today, as I’m just dreading having to cope with work and a course next week.

Sorry just realised you don't need contraception. Ignore my vasectomy comment!

@SmileyClare

I've tried the mini pill twice and both times hated how it made me feel. I also had breakthrough bleeding and terrible spots on it. I also started to think my doctor's practice were sponsored by Mireba coil because every doctor or nurse I've seen there promotes it quite forcefully!

I'm 45 and my gp said no reason not to stay on the combined pill if my bp remains normal, my weight is low and I don't smoke.
I'm not sure whether you suffer with migraines or not? Unfortunately that's a risk factor.

If you have a long term partner, would he consider a vasectomy?

Yes, the GP thinks I have migraines with an aura. So can’t take the combined pill. But they might be tension headaches. I’ve had headaches nearly every day for 18 months, but that’s a story for another day!!

I don’t need it for contraception as I’ve had my tubes tied.

I came off it after a couple of weeks as it was clearly making me depressed. I have, however, got on very well with the Minera afterwards but I totally understand why you wouldn’t want to risk it.

I stopped a couple of weeks ago after trying it for about 4 months. I'm usually very calm but it made me feel full of rage fairly often. Life is too short to be on the wrong pill. I don't know if a different mini pill might be different?

I wonder if your d and c is similar to the ablation the gynaecologist offered? That’s something I’d certainly consider.

All the women in my family had hysterectomies in their 30s (I’m 41) for heavy bleeding, and all considered them to be life changing surgeries. Things are different now, though, and the GP and gyn aren’t recommending that.

Within a week of starting Cerazette I could feel my mood deteriorating significantly. Horrible dark thoughts and really anxious all the time. I lasted about 10 days before throwing the rest of them away. My GPs answer was a Mirena and antidepressants! Hmm no thanks.

It sounds like you're having a tough time with your headaches, feeling low and stressed. You might be low in iron due to your heavy periods?
Symptoms of anaemia include extreme fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations (sometimes accompanied with feelings of dread) and a marked lack of energy.

That's definitely worth investigating. Good luck.

I'm 37 and they've agreed to put me back on the combined pill. I'm also overweight, but not obese, which is key I think. They wouldn't give it to me if my bmi was over 30.

Have you got a history of migraines or is this a just in case thing?

I'm also on it for irregular, heavy periods (long lasting and short cycles). I've had every test going (bloods, pelvic exam, smear test, ultrasound) and they can't find anything wrong. Just unlucky!

I also tried mini pill and had an 8 day heavy period, then three days off and then another period. Spots, anxiety as well.

Oh also, my blood pressure is good and always has been, so that may make a difference.

@ScumbagDave

I'm 37 and they've agreed to put me back on the combined pill. I'm also overweight, but not obese, which is key I think. They wouldn't give it to me if my bmi was over 30.

Have you got a history of migraines or is this a just in case thing?

I'm also on it for irregular, heavy periods (long lasting and short cycles). I've had every test going (bloods, pelvic exam, smear test, ultrasound) and they can't find anything wrong. Just unlucky!

I also tried mini pill and had an 8 day heavy period, then three days off and then another period. Spots, anxiety as well.

I've had headaches nearly every day for the last 18 months. And the month they started I had some weird vision thing, so they think it might be partly migraines.

@SmileyClare

It sounds like you're having a tough time with your headaches, feeling low and stressed. You might be low in iron due to your heavy periods? Symptoms of anaemia include extreme fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations (sometimes accompanied with feelings of dread) and a marked lack of energy.

That's definitely worth investigating. Good luck.

The iron thing is certainly possible. I had that checked about 3 years ago, but it's possible it's deteriorated since then, and I've only had more symptoms these last 18 months.

The GP thinks my headaches, tiredness, low mood, joint pain and heavy/irregular periods could all be down to stress (to be fair, I do work in healthcare, and we are ALL stressed). My friends think that all my symptoms are perimenopause.

Ah sorry. They were very specific about getting migraines with the migraine aura when they prescribed it and don't think they would have if I had a history of migraines.

I’d suggest waiting a few more weeks.

I have horrific heavy periods, finally got a diagnosis 4 years ago. Very anemic all the time. I tried every treatment bar coil and hysterectomy. Started mini pill in March. 6 weeks of horrendous pms spotting etc, but then it suddenly settled down and I haven’t had a period since. I feel like I’ve got my life back.

Same for me. Four months of quite heavy spotting, sore boobs and feeling a bit off it. Now I feel fantastic! I’m 49, pain and period free and living my best life!!

@LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 and @soundsgreektome thank you. It sounds like there’s hope yet! Fingers crossed it is 6 weeks, not 4 months!

Does anyone else have some good news stories of things improving? And how long does it usually take?

@happylittlevegemites I’ve got severe endometriosis and my symptoms had really ramped up, I’m on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, and the mini pill was an interim “probs won’t work” thing. If I can manage through menopause on it, I might get away without the hysterectomy, my symptoms are pretty much non existent now. I just hope they stay like that! Stick with it a bit longer, you might be ok!

I’d give it longer, probably about 2 months to see how it really works for you.

There are a few different mini pills with different amounts of hormones out there. When I was on it the third one I tried was the one that suited me. The others made me bleed all the time.

When I changed from the combined pill to a mini pill and hated it, I kept getting told to wait- give it six months.

It depends how bad you feel on it. I had awful mood swings, constant bleeding and spotting, I developed acne. I really couldn't face putting up with that for several months. It was making me miserable and quite depressed. All those side effects vanished when I stopped it.

That's also why I refused the coil. Most practices will not remove it and will ask you to wait several months for your body to adjust to it. I really can't face spending an entire winter feeling shit.