Mini pill - to stop or keep going

[funtimefrank]

Am 46 and dr put me on the mini pill about 18 months ago in a step to try and even out my moods. I dont need it for contraception.

It worked well - no periods, no up and down moods, little breast tenderness.

However, the boobs started to play up a few months ago (I have always suffered with hormonal tenderness), my libido isn't great although am up for it when dh makes a move and sex was a bit painful (tmi but the actual penetration bit despite being ahem 'keen'). I also cannot lose weight despite really needing to so again wondered if it may help.

So I though I'd take a break and see what the lay of the land is.

Well bugger me it's shite. Period came back swiftly and was light and non painful so not an issue but the breast tenderness was off the scale, anxiety had me up at 3 in the morning for a week, I broke down in tears at work. I have noticed an increase in urinary urgency which I had suffered from slightly pre pill in the week before my period but had gone when on it.

I have been slightly more up for sex hormone wise but not physically because my boobs hurt so much. So a bit pointless.

So is it worth a GP appointment to discuss HRT? Am I not there yet, do I go back on the pill and use a bit more lube/pictures of the Duke from Bridgerton? Lifestyle changes?

I think it's the anxiety symptoms I really need to get a grip on as they are hugely disruptive to me but my actual periods seem mostly fine and I've not had any other physical symptoms other than the couple of ones I've mentioned.

I do have an appointment at the Breast clinic to check out the boob pain next week just in case although gp is 99.999999% sure it's hormonal so won't be doing anything until after then.

However, the boobs started to play up a few months ago (I have always suffered with hormonal tenderness), my libido isn't great although am up for it when dh makes a move and sex was a bit painful (tmi but the actual penetration bit despite being ahem 'keen'). I also cannot lose weight despite really needing to so again wondered if it may help.

As you have many of the signs of peri meno at a relatively young age, (average age of last period in UK is 51 although peri can last a number of years) it would be wise to consider HRT. At your age there are no risks . The tiny risks only come when used for 5 years or more after the age of 51-52.

Have a read of a great website where all this is explained.

It's the site of Dr Louise Newson-( My Menopause Dr)

Also, lube will not reverse the soreness and shrinkage of the vagina which happens when estrogen falls. You need an estrogen cream- Ovestin- or a tiny pessary- Vagifem- from your GP.

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells

Interested in the slightly young comment as both my mother and grandmother were quite old but had quite a rough time for a number of years.

Also the boob issues are pretty normal for me and so is the crappy weight loss (dodgy thyroid) so of themselves I wouldn't think much of them. The vagina thing otoh is new.

I'll look at the link you suggested thank you.

My gp combines the mini pill (cerelle) with hrt (Femoston ) for me as I didn’t want a coil. I’m 50.