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Original poster

Mini pill experiences - good and bad please

29 replies

Sheeptea · 07/01/2011 18:16

Hello all

This is my first topic so be gentle with me :)

Due to age, being a smoker and a complicated gynae history I am going to ask my doc for the mini pill next week (hubby and I have been playing russian roulette - using withdrawal) for the last couple of years and now want to ensure I don't get pregnant!)

Have used micronor before but it gave me headaches. Looking at these boards, I'm reluctant to go for Cerazette as don't need anything to trigger depression. So....basically....what mini pills have you used and with what effects, good and bad?

Your stories would be much appreciated x

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 07/01/2011 20:14

I had fortnightly periods with micronor and femulen and havent had a period for over 2 years with cerazette. No depression either!

newmum001 · 07/01/2011 20:18

I was on Cerazette too with no problems at all, had spotting occasionally but other than that it was fine.

Original poster
Sheeptea · 07/01/2011 21:14

Thank you ladies, that's really helpful. I'd googled 'mini pill side effects' and it threw back a lengthy thread from here on which many members had had serious problems with Cerazette - so to hear that you both are using it with no adverse effects is interesting. Can I ask whether either of you have had depression before? Thanks again.

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 07/01/2011 21:19

I have had depression before and have not found cerazette has adversely affected me in the way the other mini pills have.

Original poster
Sheeptea · 07/01/2011 21:24

That's really interesting, TotalChaos. I feel a little more open minded towards trying this pill now. Did it take long to settle to this pill? My only mini pill experience has been with Micronor which was fine for the first few months then I began having really bad headaches, mood swings and breakthrough bleeds.

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 07/01/2011 21:34

I @had about a year of irregular light bleeding -but on and odd, sometimes a couple of months wthout any, then periods stopped completely. I had similar to you with micronor was ok for over a year then had bad mood problems before periods

Seona1973 · 07/01/2011 22:19

I had one period after starting cerazette and then they stopped - have had a couple of occasions of spotting but contained with a panty liner. I had post natal depression after my first child (now age 7) but havent suffered since.

Original poster
Sheeptea · 07/01/2011 22:26

This is really encouraging, thanks ladies x

OP posts:
newmum001 · 07/01/2011 22:33

I've never had depression but had a very bad reaction to a pill called microgynon (sp) it made me totally mental i a complete mess on it, i stopped taking it after 2 months. Most pills haven't agreed with me in some way or other but never had any problems with Cerazette

Original poster
Sheeptea · 07/01/2011 22:49

Ah yes, I have taken microgynon before- it's a combined pill. I took it for a few years when I was younger, before I had children. It was fine for ages then it began giving me migraines and a cervical erosion. I can't take combined pills now anyway. So good to hear some positive things about cerazette. Thanks x

OP posts:
Earthdog · 07/01/2011 23:25

Another pro-Cerazette post. I was very upset when I had to change from Microgynon after 12 years. I, too, had one initial period (probably more a withdrawal bleed) then no bleeding since, which is great; I have been on it 4-5 months now. My skin got worse initially but is now better than when on microgynon. I would say I have always had chronic, low grade depression (undiagnosed) but Cerazette has not made me any worse. I intend to stay on it permanently.

Northernlurker · 07/01/2011 23:28

I used Neogest for basically 10 years with two gaps to conceive (very easily) I had no major problems with it - little sporadic bleeding when I first started with it but that settled. I was quite a fan tbh but you do need to remember to take it because certainly with one you only had a three hour window.

Original poster
Sheeptea · 08/01/2011 01:01

These experiences are really useful. It's such a minefield though. Do you think most pills affect the skin?

OP posts:
SparklyJules · 08/01/2011 01:04

Ive on Cerazette for 2 years. Not a period or spotting at all in that time. Bit of weight gain (8/9 lbs), but then I don't exercise and I eat and drink things I shouldn't so I don't think the pill is to blame really! No depressive side effects, no skin reactions.

Original poster
Sheeptea · 08/01/2011 01:14

I gained weight on micronor, about 5lb. It did seem to increase my appetite though.

OP posts:
larakitten · 08/01/2011 11:25

Hi there, I am using micronor due to similar issues with the combined pill.

Generally speaking its fine, I have been taking it for about 10 months now so still really settling with it. My periods were pretty regular when I started taking it but the last three months they have been a bit scatty....ie a 40 day cycle followed by a 44 day cycle followed by a 25 day cycle. It doesn't bother me too much though as the guidelines clearly state this may happen.

As it only has the 3 hour window for taking it, I set an alarm for every morning to remind me, so I am accurate pretty much every day with my timing.

I do get occasional break through bleeding, but nothing spectacular, just a little staining that a liner can cope with.

I had PND and post traumatic stress/anxiety after the birth of my daughter, but I would say the pill has had little to no effect on me as my DD was born in 2007 but only started the pill last year.

Hope you find something that will work for you!

Northumberlandlass · 08/01/2011 14:25

Hi, I was just coming on here to ask about Cerazette.

I have been on it for 3 months, the one plus has been I haven't put on weight. However, I am now on 23rd day of a heavy period and I am feeling very down.

It is almost like a cloud is following me around, gloomy just doesn't cover it.

On the advice of family & friends I went back to the doc's yesterday and they have changed me back to the combined pill, which has worked for me before.

I had read all the stories about Cerazette before asking the GP about it, although I had read that it had caused depression in some - I thought I would see how it went.

It is quite possible it will work for you.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

xx

notevenasnowflake · 08/01/2011 14:29

My experience of the mini-pill is sat at the table opposite me making a chalk picture!!
It's too unreliable for me.

Do you think you will want (more) children at any point? Will your gynae history allow you to have a coil either copper or Mirena? You can also use Implanon as a smoker. Depends what risk you can live with!

Original poster
Sheeptea · 08/01/2011 17:42

You're not hijacking this thread at all northumberlandlass! I'm interested in hearing all experiences. I too had heard horror stories about cerazette hence my reluctance to try it but it's been balancing to read positive stories about it on here too.

I have a tilted cervix and when I went to hAve a mirena inserted they couldn't get it in and I ended up with an infection and no coil. Additionally I've had a uterine perforation in the past (long story) which is why I've been told to avoid unnecessary procedures as fas as possible. I don't like the thought of the implant, I guess I'm wary of something I cannot control or stop if and when I want to. Hence the mini pill has come to mind.

I really appreciate you all taking time to respond x

OP posts:
Original poster
Sheeptea · 08/01/2011 17:52

Oh, and we have completed our family - no more kids for us x

OP posts:
Northumberlandlass · 08/01/2011 19:10

Sheeptea - I did consider the Mirena Coil, GP said to give Cerazette a go to see how progeston only worked for me before going through the procedure of having the coil fitted.

I'm not taking the pill for contraception but to control my horrendous (peri-menopausal) periods. We are going to do a 3 month trial of the combined pill, but if that doesn't work.....well, I'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I am pleased that I tried Cerazette, I had to give it a go. It was only for 3 months.

Hope you find something that works for you.
x

notevenasnowflake · 08/01/2011 21:40

Sheeptea - why's your DH not volunteering to be snipped? No hormones for you, and the most reliable method apart from abstinence to no more babies. (And you can have the Implant taken out at any point, it's the injection that's less easy to control)

Original poster
Sheeptea · 08/01/2011 22:03

Hubby won't let anyone with anything sharp and pointy near his bits and has unfortunately been told a few horror stories. Can't force him even though I agree it would be the best option. Implant just doesn't appeal to me at all x

OP posts:
Reg1naphalange · 16/12/2017 23:20

Hi. I have a question about the mini pill. I have the generic version of cerezette. Its called desogestrel 75mg. I've been taking it for four days now, I started taking it on the first day of my period (13th December).
My nurse said to use protection for five days, but online it says that if I start it on the first day of my period I will be protected against pregnancy immediately?
On some websites it says if you have a short cycle (which I do, sometimes 23 days) to use protection for two days.
I'm not sure why she told me to use protection for five days even though I started it the first day of my period?
My doctor's is closed today so I can't ask them.
My cycle is generally 23-26 days long. My periods last approximately 5 days.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you

DesignedForLife · 17/12/2017 08:08

Reg, I don't know the answer but to be on the safe side why don't you use other precautions for the 5 days?

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