Mini pill and early menopause

[Runningshorts]

I've been on the mini pill cerazette for years, always had a regular period while on it, but this changed to frequent, heavy bleeding for a couple of years and now I've had no period for the last 5 months. I'm not pregnant.

I've tried to talk to the GP about perimenopause lots of times over the last couple of years but they say I'm too young (despite me having horrible symptoms). Is it worth coming off the pill to see what my natural cycle is doing? Feel like I'm not taken seriously because I'm only 42, though there is a history of early menopause in my family, and my mum really suffered with it

Any advice welcome. Thank you

Have you had blood tests? Some GPs can be a bit slow when it comes to early perimenopause, they don't know anything about it. The first step should be a couple of blood tests, then if your hormone levels don't indicate peri then referral to an endocrinologist.

And yes, stop the mini pill.

Thanks for your reply! I had blood tests which showed low iron but nothing else. My iron is back up again now after taking tablets.

I'll need to find some other contraception but I'm tempted to come off the mini pill just to see what is going on. Fingers crossed the hormone swings aren't too bad coming off as last time I had terrible migraines! Thank you

It can be a lottery with GPs and perimenopause. I'm 42, had some flushes and increased migraine frequency, wasn't on any contraception. My GP actually put me on cerezette for this symptoms and I haven't had any periods on it and it's reduced the migraines. She also said if I didn't get on with it to go back and she would sort HRT. It might be worth asking if your practice has any GPs who have further training in menopause.

I don't think 42 is too early to experience perimenopause symptoms.