mini-pill. More frequent periods??

[nwmummy]

I've been on the mini pill for nearly 8 months as I am breastfeeding, previously I was on the combined pill for nearly 20years with no problems.
But, I seem to be getting far more frequent periods. At the moment I seem to be on about a 21 day cycle, sometimes going down to 17-18 days. Is this right? On the combined pill it was the standard 28 days, i.e. period in pill free week. I wondered if I was counting it wrong, but it seems to be only about 2 and a bit weeks between the end of one period and the start of another - which then last for about 4 days.

I don't really want to go back to my GP, I don't even know if there is anything he can do. I just wondered if it was common or anything to worry about.

i think it is fairly common - the mini-pill (as with any progestogen based contraception) have a possible side effect of irregular bleeding. by the end of my 2 years on the minipill i was having periods every ten days! it might be worth changing brand of minipill to see if that makes any difference. otherwise i think all you can do is wait and see if it settles. i think you would probably be better off discussing this with a family planning clinic nurse or doctor than your GP, as they would have more experience of side effects to contraception.

I went on the mini pill 6 weeks ago after 20 years on the combined pill and haven't had a period yet...now I'm worried??

some (a minority) of women on the mini-pill find it does stop their periods. basically the progestogen in the mini-pill interferes with women's cycles - some women always ovulate on the mini-pill (so more likely to have regular periods), some women never ovulate on the mini-pill (more likely to have no periods) and most women sometimes ovulate and sometimes don't on the minipill (which I think tends to cause the irregular bleeding).

so no need to worry, Galaxy.

oops sorry about that do you want me to get that bit of my post deleted?

No it's fine thinking of changing back anyway.

thanks. I suppose I've just been used to being so regular that it's taking a bit of getting used to. I don't want to be spending a fortune on pregnancy tests every month, but it seems like even if I change to a different minipill I might get the same problems. GP thinks that I'm too old for combined pill when I stop b/f, won't prescribe it over 35. It may be worth going to a fpc, although strangely enough I find those more intimidating than the GP.

nwmummy, I started the mini-pill after ds was born and didn't have a period for over a year! I then had 5 in 9 months so it's completely random. I did ask the GP about it and he said 'stop complaining - most women would love to not have periods' I think it just affects people differently.