Perimenopause on contraceptive pill

[Rachierach11]

Looking for help in researching or experience of others please. I have been on the same combined oral contraceptive pill for years and it has worked very well in controlling pms (including terrible sleep issues), skin breakouts, irregular bleeding and period pains.

I am 40 and over the last year or so the pill doesn't seem as effective in managing any of these things. I sleep badly when my period is coming, I am more anxious, I have more spots than I did when I was a teenager! I also have occasional, random bleeding which has never happened previously. Have seen GP and having an ultrasound to check for cysts and swabs to check for infection but she completely ruled out perimenopause due to my age and it not making sense. To me it would make sense that as my oestrogen levels drop, the pill wouldn't be providing enough for me to help with the pms etc but apparently that's not a thing.

Does anyone have any personal experience of this or know what I should type in to google to get some definitive answers. I'm coming up with nothing at the moment but really want to research it before I rule out perimenopause.

You just need a different / better doctor basically. You’re right and they’re wrong. I had the same thing happen - I went into early menopause aged 37 due to autoimmune issues and I really had to fight to be taken seriously. I ended up paying privately to see someone at Newson health clinic and then went back to my doctors with their report and my doctor agreed to switch me onto HRT and referred me to an nhs menopause specialist (who agreed with Newson health). The combined pill alone wasn’t enough oestrogen for me from an HRT point of view so I switched to the mini pill for progesterone and oestrogel for oestrogen (3 pumps). I also take utrogestan 100mg at night and find that’s worked for me.

' she completely ruled out perimenopause due to my age and it not making sense'

Sounds like you are more clued up about perimenopause than this doctor is! I'm 43 and on the pill, and have noticed some changes in the past year or so although they are inconsistent - night sweats, lighter bleeds, memory not as good as it used to be. Apparently the amount of oestrogen in the pill is way lower than in HRT so you absolutely can experience peri symptoms even on the pill.

Any chance you can see a different doctor? You shouldn't have to, and this GP lottery is ridiculous, but that's what I would do next

Thank you ladies. That's all really helpful to read. I will try again with a different GP. I have found out which ones are better with menopause at my surgery so hopefully I can get things moving x

Shouldn't have to be wishing you luck with getting standard medical care, but anyway, good luck! And let us know how you get on

@Rachierach11 I could've written your OP.

I was on combined pill, and was increasingly having problems. Doc suggested tuning pills together without a break which was awful- constant breakthrough bleeding. Then tried a different pill- marginally better but then went downhill.

I asked about peri & HRT and was told it couldn't be menopause as I was having periods and HRT was dangerous and I was too young.

Went private- now been on HRT for a month. It's like a miracle. Oestrogel & utrogestan. Having to use barrier contraception is annoying, but I'm just a happy person again. Me.
PMT gone. Rages gone. Weeping & mood swings gone. I sleep every night.