Desogestrel and Menopause....

[TheFormidableMrsC]

I have posted before about my horrendous experience with Mirena a couple of months ago where I nearly bled to death over a month and had to have it removed (GP agreed it had to come out). I do not exaggerate either, I was virtually housebound and having reached the stage where I was getting through 30 super plus Tampax plus a pack of night pads every 24 hours, there was no way it could be "left to settle down". I had to take a lot of iron as the blood loss made me so poorly. I had previously had a copper coil with no issues but my periods stopped for 3 months (I am 49 and have been peri since 40, but had a baby at 42) and my GP persuaded me to have the copper coil removed and replaced with Mirena. She assured me that my periods would stay away and that it would see me through until menopause. Obviously that didn't happen and I wish I'd left well alone.

Following all of this, GP put me on Desogestrel 75 mg. It has been brilliant. No side effects at all, bleeding ceased almost straight away and I did wonder why I had never considered this form of contraceptive before. However, a week into my 2nd packet, I started to bleed, although a very light period and assumed it was just a normal cycle. However, 10 days on, I am STILL bleeding and it's getting heavier and heavier and this morning have lost some tissue. I am SO fed up with it. I have a relationship that is restricted to when my DS sees his father so this is now having an impact on that. I suppose I am looking for others experiences with this pill. Is it likely to settle down? I can't take the combined pill because I had a thrombosis in my early 20's as a result of that. My options are very limited. If I go back to the copper coil I know it won't control the peri bleeding. I should add that I have recently had an internal and external ultrasound and all is well. I am at a loss at what to do. Any suggestions? Thank you

It all sounds horrible, but I'm slightly confused. Are you asking about which contraception or treatment for heavy bleeding or meno symptoms?

Not sure why the type of mini pill you are on is being used for peri meno. Can you explain?

As you have had a really unusual reaction to the Mirena, your GP ought to refer you to a specialist if this is a bleeding issue.

You might be better off posting in General Health or Women's Health of Family Planning.

@JinglingHellsBells Sorry I should have clearer. I needed contraception, however, my periods stopped in December and I had nothing for several months. I then had a very odd one sided pain and GP sent me to have a transvaginal scan and an external ultrasound. All clear. She then said I should get rid of my copper coil and have a Mirena as that would control any peri bleeding to come and I could keep it in until I was done with menopause. The Mirena insertion triggered the avalanche of bleeding but it didn't calm down at all and the GP decided to remove it (after a month). She put me on the mini pill to hopefully regulate everything, thin lining of womb etc. It's been fine until now, I am in my 7th week of taking it, but am now in day 10 of a period. Even when I was younger and had a normal cycle they were never this long. I do realise that the new contraception and perimenopause are probably to blame. I just wanted to know that this was normal and it would eventually settle down.

I wonder if....you would have had the horrendous bleed anyway regardless of the Mirena? If you had 4/5 months or so of lining build-up ( from December) with NO period, it may well have come away anyway at some point. (Women can bleed for weeks in peri.)

Sorry if you know this.

The Mirena doesn't work overnight...it takes weeks and up to 6 + months to stop bleeding as the hormone in it gradually 'overrides' the estrogen your body is producing and thickening the lining.

The mini pill is not designed to stop bleeding in peri. I don't think it is strong enough. It sounds as if you are going through the same thing again- a bleed after 7 weeks with none.

My best 'guess' is that starting HRT in a cyclical regime might help control your bleeds by giving you a predictable bleed every month because you'd be taking a stronger progestogen 14 days a month.

I think you're probably right re : Mirena. I had successfully had two previously. I had one after my son was born and that made me feel horrific and I had it removed, and replaced with the copper coil which was less of an issue. I don't do well with hormones unfortunately.

I have wondered about trying Mirena again actually, particularly as this period is light in comparison to the last lot. I'll make an appointment and discuss the points you make re : HRT (although I really wanted to avoid that, I have managed symptoms well so far). Thank you so much! I appreciate your help.

Hope you find something to help. The other option is an ablation or taking Tranexamic acid before your period but if they are irregular that's tricky.

I've just been prescribed desogestrel for heavy bleeding due the peri-menopause. Had a Mirena put in last month but it came out (apparently common with very heavy bleeding). So not much help. Suffering symptoms very much like yours OP. Periods can last up to 10 days. Very anemic too. Hope we get some answers here.

Also the doctor said I should take the Desogestrel continuously. Was it the same for you?

@JinglingHellsBells Thank you so much, I do too! Have managed to make appt with GP for 20 June so will see where we are then. I had thought of ablation, I am pretty sure my late mum went through something like this and indeed had something like that. For me it would be a last resort as single mother in the truest sense to ASD DS, so anything that requires hospital or prolonged resting will be a massive problem. However, I can't rule it out.

@Nearly47 Yes, I take 75mg daily, on the dot, although you have 12 hours. Continuous use. Weirdly my Mirena stayed put, how that happened is beyond me due to the amount of blood and tissue I lost. It's bloody rotten isn't it? I've been taking Feroglobin for iron and trying to ensure I have plenty of iron rich foods. I am prepared to let this settle down (if indeed it does) but quite honestly, would prefer to have the whole lot taken out and be done with it. If only it were that easy! I hope you settle down soon...let's hope there are some more positive stories

Yes, it is extremely debilitating. I think you have to been trough it to get it. I get female work colleagues not really believing that periods can get you this unwell ... But I am sure something will eventually work. Good luck. Hope you get better soon

@Nearly47 Unless you've been through this, you haven't got a clue. Fortunately a couple of my friends have so have really been kind and understanding. Do make sure you keep your iron levels up and you must go back to your GP. I am pretty sure we don't have to put up with this. I've made the earliest appointment I could so will struggle through this next month. I hate how it impacts on my life and I have to plan things round it. Half term next week, hoping it will have stopped by then . I will continue to update in the hope that this is also useful to anybody else suffering similar!