Sort of urgent gynaelogical issue regarding mini-pill ....

[TheLshapedwomb]

Am hoping some gynaecologists or nurses working in family planning might be around today ... or anyone with experience of low-dose mini-pill

Here's the background

I live abroad. Recently been put on mini-pill (called Gestodelle 20) to combat horribly heavy periods.

Continued to bleed throughout first month/first packet.

Went back to gynaecologist who said "that's normal as your body adjusts" try for another month and see how you get on.

Did so but bled for entire second packet (taken without 7 day break on gynaecologist's advice)

Rang my gynaecologist yesterday and left a message to say I was still bleeding after two months/two packets. Was this normal?

Unfortunately ...then had minor emergency involving dc and school and I had to leave house and so wasn't at home to take her call.

When I got home gynaecologist had left long message saying:

"Not totally abnormal but you could trying taking two and see how it goes and then get back to me. I will be available at x times after Easter holiday."

The problem is, her English isn't great, the telephone line wasn't great and she didn't elaborate about "taking two"

Does she mean literally take two of the Gestodelle 20 at once?? Ie 2 pills a day?????

It's Easter Saturday now and all the doctor's offices are closed for the holidays.

It's not a disaster as I can continue to take one pill a day but would prefer not to go on bleeding for a further two weeks if there is aan easy solution.

Anyone have any advice please?

Sorry that was such a long post!!

I have heard of people being advised to take two a day for this reason but I can't offer you any more advice than that. Hope the bleeding stops!

I started the mini pill 2 weeks ago mainly for heavy periods and was given this pill as I am still breastfeeding. To be honest, I have bled really heavy when due a period ever since and was warned this would happen.

I think the best option is the combined pill where you have a break for a period, as this helps them become lighter. The other option would be a mirena coil which should stop bleeding altogether.

HTH

Thanks LaDiDa

It's a good start to know that I haven't completely misheard or misunderstood the message ...and that it's not unknown to take 2 pills at once

Thanks LilyMolly ...

that's interesting ....

I was trying to avoid the Mirena coil (I was offered it) but I may have to reconsider

Would like to see if the mini-pill can work first if at all possible ....

Some people just have long-term irregular bleeding with the progesterone-only (i.e."mini") pill. As said above the combined pill may be better for cycle control but not recommended if breast feeding. The Mirena coil contains progesterone and can be very effective - often stopping periods altogether - but again irregular bleeding can be a problem for the first 2 or 3 months (and if it doesn't settle by then it's unlikely to do so). The same applies to other depo-progesterones such as the 3 monthly injections (Depo-Provera) and the implant under the skin (Implanon).
I'd be inclined to give Mirena a go. It's quick and easy to put it and if it doesn't suit it easy to remove again.
Please make sure that you smears are up to date and probably worth having a pelvic examination (though if your having Mirena that'll should be done as part of the work up).

yhou dont normally have a break between packs with the mini-pill - does it say to do that in the leaflet? Also mini-pills are well known to cause unpredictable bleeding, breakthrough bleeding, etc. I had fortnightly periods on one type of mini-pill and changed to another which has stopped my periods and I havent bled for about 2 years now.

The netdoctor site saya that 2 pills can be prescribed per day particularly for larger women.

Thank you very much Hoomach - that's all very useful information. I'm not breast-feeding and my smears are up-to-date but I think I will ask for a more thorough pelvic examination. I will also consider the Mirena option more seriously ...

Seona - thank you very much for that useful link - I am a bit overweight (not hugely) but am very tall and am over 70kgs ...

I'll go and look at the leaflet .. and translate the instructions ....that's a very good point as I have just assumed that it is the mini-pill that I am taking and I didn't fully understand the difference between the combined and mini-pill until reading the information on here today ...

[complete ignoramus emoticon]

Ok - I'm officially a twonk - I've just translated the instructions and Gestodelle20 is a combined pill not a mini-pill

As I obviously don't know what I am doing, I think I had better put up with the bleeding throughout the Easter holidays (which is a nuisance because we will be travelling) and talk to my doctor afterwards ....

Thanks for your help though everyone