constant bleeding with minipill

[ernest]

After ds I started taking minipill for 1st time ever.. No probs at all. Got 1st post natal period when ds was 9 months old, that was 1.5 months ago & I haven't stopped bleeding since. Some days it's just a couple of spots, other days quite heavy. I have to go back next month to get next course of contraception.

Still not sure if want another baby, otherwise would get mirena. But not sure if should persevere with minipill. It's getting me down now.

Does this mean also that it's not so effective with me? I read once, vaguely remember someone suggesting lots of break through bleeding suggested not as effective?
Thanks

hi ernest. progestogen only contraception can cause light and irregular bleeding - so you may have that problem with starting the mirena as well, unfortunately (or indeed the depo provera contraceptive injection). is there a particular reason you can't take the combined pill? it may be worth you asking to change types of mini-pill, and seeing if that makes any difference. I can't really give an answer as to whether you should perservere or not; I think it really depends on whether the irregular bleeding has stopped by the next appointment, and, if not, whether you are prepared to tolerate any more of it (sounds like not, which I can fully sympathise with).

in terms of effectiveness; if your cycles are regulated by the mini pill, and you have regular bleeding, that could either mean that you have stopped ovulating or that you are ovulating every cycle. Irregular bleeding I think means that you are ovulating some cycles but not others. So I don't think it is that straightforward to say that if you have breakthrough bleeding it doesn't necessarily mean that the mini-pill isn't as effective as if you have regular cycles IYSWIM.

Same happened to me - it IS working but it will take some time to settle. I became as regular as clockwork with no irregular bleeding after about 18 months

There are lots of different types of mini and combined pills with different percentages of the hormones and if you hassle your GP they should offer you different ones, until you find the right one for your body and age. I know how awful it made me feel having breakthrough bleeding all time - don't put up with it - go and see your GP.

thanks a lot. I guess if I could decide about having another I would get mirena next month without a 2nd thought. 18 months seems a huge time to wait for it to settle down. yars ago I tried combined pill and had bad side effects with about 3 or 4, so don't want to do that. Reluctanct to take mini-pill, but it's been fine until, but now I'm fed up with it.