Perimenopause and the mini pill/progesterone

[AtrociousCircumstance]

Hi, I’m on the combined pill and fairly comfortable on it, but the nurse has suggested I consider progesterone only contraception.

I’ve heard bad things about the mini pill - would love to hear about any experiences, good or bad. Thanks!

I'm 45 and perimenopausal. Started Cerazette about 18 months ago as I was getting really heavy irregular periods, I think it's now been changed to Degesterol (sp?). After about 6 months my periods stopped completely and I've had one regular (5 day period) in the last 12 months which was unexpected.

They really pushed for me to have a coil fitted but I wanted to carry on with the pill and they were reluctant for me to carry on with the combined pill.

I haven't had any problems with it tbh, but I was on the combined pill (Marvelon I think) for 25 odd years before that so hormonal contraceptives don't seem to give me any issues. I'm also taking sage and black cohosh for hot flushes.

The progesterone only pill is safer medically than the combined pill . Both types contain progesterone but the combined pill has oestrogen as well which brings in more risks. Having said that both are very safe but the increased risk of breast cancer eg or cardiovascular disease is negligible in a slim , active non smoking 25 year old but could start to be statistically more relevant in an older woman particularly if she had other risk factors. The benefits of the coc are cycle control and a slightly increased efficacy as far as contraception is concerned.The pop does not tend to provide regular cycle control as it does not completely blot out your cycle and give you a false one as the coc does it really just interferes with yours. This is the biggest nuisance of the pop, you can be fairly sure to bleed less in volume but few people have a regular cycle. Your periods might stop or you might just have an occasional irregular period but there is a group of women who have very annoying persistent bleeding . There is no way of knowing in advance but the good thing is that the pop wears off very quickly after you stop taking it so it is easily reversible. The mirena is offered as it provides excellent contraception with very little hormone( miles less than the pills) so is very safe medically as well. It is a faff to insert and there is a settling in process but it is generally well liked, particularly by women with heavy periods , and again is almost instantly reversible if it doesn't suit . For completeness, the copper coil is also very effective and is hormone free but without any progesterone bin it your periods will be at least as heavy as they are normally without pills and can sometimes be heavier. There is the nuisance and risks of insertion as per mirena but if it suits you can stay in for 10 years or occasionally a bit longer depending on your age.

Thank you guys - very helpful.

Im 48 I've been on cerazette mini pill for 3 years. Previously on combined. No side effects and my periods stopped after the first month of taking it. Im very happy with it.

That sounds good User27!

I'm also on the mini pill, I'm 49 and have been taking it for 3yrs. Like others, I've had no problems and not a single period. Its fab!

Sounds ideal fairydust! Thanks