Stopping Cerelle

[Trylinescore]

I've been taking cerelle for around 20 years and hoped to sneak another 6 month's supply through on my repeat prescription before I'm 55 next month. No such luck and no advice from my GP on the impact of stopping it suddenly.

My pharmacist agreed with my plan to cut my remaining dose to every other day, then every 3rd or 4th day. Has anyone else done this?

I have no idea if I'm through the menopause yet or not as I've had no symptoms at all. Does anyone know what the impact of stopping cerelle or any other progesterone only pill at 55 is likely to be?

Sorry can't help but have been on mini pill for ages and would like to know what's in store eventually... did you get any periods on it?

I'd love to know this information too if anyone comes along and knows. I'm on cerelle for the last 10yrs, 2yrs ago I came off it cold turkey and it was absolute hell for my mental health with the hormones. I've always worried about when I'll be forced to come off it by the GP and wtf I'm going to do when the time comes.

I'd love to know also, as I'm going to be 55 in December!

No real life experience yet, but let's hang on & see.

I'm going to start every other day next week as I'm away this weekend and can't risk raging or any other side effects when I'm driving for hours

Oh no - I'm slightly worried now! Also I don't know if I'll miss meno symptoms as I rarely get periods on it.

Just about a fortnight since I halved my dose to stretch my remaining 6 weeks of Cerelle out. Absolutely fine. No bleeding, usual knackeredness from working FT, no huge emotional outbursts, no hot flushes etc

I'll update again, but this would seem to be the way to do it.

Are you taking every other day op?

I am & I can't spot any difference at the mo. I'm going to do a couple more weeks alternating, then drop to one every 3 days, then hope for the best.

I'm not snappier or grumpier. I have a couple of enormously stressful family things going on, but I don't feel tetchy. Tiredness is simply part of working FT, travelling a lot for family reasons and being nearly 55!

When I came off it 2 years ago I actually became so depressed I had suicidal ideation for the first time in my entire life during my proper period and I knew that's what the cause was. I've always had terrible mental health during my periods but it's never been THAT bad, it actually scared me. I only stayed off the pill two months and went back on it as I couldn't bear it. Though coming off really knocked my headaches on the head (pun intended lol) which was great but fuck me I'd rather have weekly headaches than that.

Thanks for updating @Trylinescore I hope it continues to go well. I have a couple more years left but never thought about the implications of abruptly stopping.

Sounds dreadful. I would have kept taking it until my 80s if I could

Does anyone know why we have to stop taking them at 55? I'm going to be 55 in December so wondering if I should start tapering off now?

PO pills are not licenced for those aged 55.

I only realised this when my GP pulled a face a few months ago and offered me HRT instead. This month's 6 pack prescription was turned down, but no advice was given on how to stop taking it.

I would try to sneak through an early prescription to stockpile! My timing was out.

Oh I'd happily take it til I'm gone! I'm only late 30's so I've got plenty of time as long as they don't change the rules or discontinue it.

I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I've just ordered a 12 month prescription online...I lied about my age! I just DO NOT want to come off it and I know my GP will stop prescribing it in December when I'm 55! I've done a quick Google and can't see anything to indicate it's dangerous to continue after 55.

I used all mine up and just stopped at 54 a few months before I was 55. No period, nothing. Occasional feeling of being hot but no symptoms of menopause like brain fog. I'm 57 and have no inclination to try HRT.

I swapped cerrelle for Sayana press obtained via sh24.
Now fair enough I’m “only” 44 but even my GP was iffy with continuing cerelle

I stopped it at 49 and got a Mirena coil as part of HRT instead - no cutting down, I just quit, but I was replacing it with another progesterone source. Isn’t it lack of oestrogen that’s the big (potential) issue or have I got that wrong?

Final update from me. I still have a few pills left in my final packet. Absolutely no ill effects whatsoever, so the menopause must have been and gone without me noticing.

That's great news OP