Switching to progesterone only pill ar 43. Anyone the same?

[Sockmate123]

I have no menopause symptoms as such yet. I suffer from migraines and one of triggers seems to be pill free week on currently contraceptive pill.

GP has suggested Progesterone only pill. Anyone any experiences? I am on the other pill about 15 years, bit nervous to swap

Anyone?

I moved to progesterone only pill.
It was ok.
I think I missed the oestrogen though.
I'd talk about getting HRT along with it.

I was on progesterone only for about 7 years.

It was ok. But I think I had perimenopause on it. No migraines. But then I never had them.

I liked my combined pill. See a female gp. A menopause specialist. Fight hard and do research.

God no, I had an emotional breakdown in it and kept getting panic attacks. I binned it after a week.

Oh gosh!!! That's worrying 🙈

I got told to switch to it when I turned 40. I was really against it but actually it's been absolutely fine. No bleeds no side effects. All good.

She is a female GP. Im happy with combined pill but she feels its contributing to migraines as do I.

Thanks for reply, how do you mean you missed the oestrogen?

Look into taking bioidentical progesterone rather than synthetic. It's totally stopped my chronic migraines after almost 20 years of suffering and is often better tolerated than synthetic.

Some GPs will prescribe it, but it's available to buy privately online.

I was on it whilst breastfeeding for about 6 weeks last year. I bled almost constantly for that time, some days spotting, some days more period like and quite a heavy flow. My mood was so low, I was super emotional and just felt awful and unlike myself at all. ISwitched to the combined pill, which suits me much better, which I'm still on now (aged 40).

Yes been on it for 2 years now as they said to me after 40 they prefer you to switch. It stopped my periods- and along with the the monthly migraines! It was another reason I changed.

I know this isn't everyone's experience but I was on moved to the progesterone only pill due to my age and it was the worst two years of my life.

I bled constantly, like 3.5 weeks out of 4. My (female) doctor refused to change me back and it was, I believe, the major contributing factor to a massive breakdown and 2.5 years of antidepressants.

I finally switched to a male doctor who couldn't believe I had lived that way for so long and changed me back. No issues since, off the antidepressants and slowly but surely loosing the 2.5 stone I put on in that time period. Never again.

My advice would be if you have any of the same symptoms, speak up early and insist on being changed back to the combined.

Best of luck OP x

Did you have much bleeding? Great it stopped your migraines!

Omg that sounds horrific. I'm nervous to change hearing all this 😞 ill give it a go and see but no way will I be putting up with so much bleeding

Thank you for that!

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about your horrible experience 😞

Do you have any other factors that they would be concerned about OP other than age and migraines? Do you smoke for example?

If the pill free week triggers migraines, it's perfectly fine now to not take a pill free week regularly. I, with the OK from my doctor, only have a pill free week every 3 months, but I know friends who only do so once or twice a year.

My skin went bananas on a progesterone only pill. I don’t take any now

First month I had normal period (and headache) but then the second and third month just some light bleeding then it went away and touch wood none for 2 years!

I take it. It helped with many of my perimenopausal symptoms - aural migraines, heavy periods, rage! I did have a lot of spotting for at least the first 3- 4 months but now never have a period unless I forget to take it. I've not taken HRT so can't compare.

I switched at 40. I was getting more headaches and migraines on the combined pill.
Best thing ever. Get fewer headaches (although still some), hardly any periods (occasionally a very light one if I missed a pill), no PMT like I had on the combined pill so my mood is better.
Only on it because of terrible periods.
I previously tried Mirena and didn't get on with that at all.

That's how I currently do it, 3 months at a time. She just felt as I'm almost 44 that its not recommended to stay on combined. I think risk of clots and some cancers increase? Im on cholesterol tabs for genetic high cholesterol but am healthy weight etc

I have had no issues. I went on originally after having my kids as I was breastfeeding, and it was advised as preferable. I have no moved to the progesterone only implant. Amazing not have to remember to take a pill every day. Some (lighter bleeding) but I honestly think it is brilliant!

That's encouraging, thank you for posting!

I went on it in my forties and it definitely improved my PMT and menstrual migraines (I do still get migraines but they are less bad). No side effects, no bleeding. I intend to stay on it until I am through the perimenopause.