Mini pill - how long to give it settle before giving up

[LemonBreeland]

I've been taking Cerelle progesterone only pill for 7 weeks now and am still getting quite a bit of bleeding on and off, feels like more on than off. I went on it as my periods were horrendous and the sore breasts and cramps were hideous.

Does anyone have any idea if it should have calmed down by now, if it's going to? Or should I give it up as not for me and try something else? Getting rather frustrated at spending more on sanitary products while using a contraceptive that is supposed to stop periods.

Hi, when I went on the pill it took my body roughly 3 months to stop having periods but every now and then I get break through bleeding. Maybe give it another month or so? Everybody is different so it's hard to say how long it will take to get in to your system. If your not happy with it then I'd visit your gp see what else you could try xx

Another one that settled around the 12 week mark. Just finished 5th pack (so 20 weeks on it now) and no bleeding at all since the 12 week point. Quite pleased and hoping it stays this way!!

I didn't get on with the mini pill at all, lots of spotting and then very irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding - I didn't know where I was with it, and was fed up of being caught off guard so much that I wound up having the Mirena - I don't get periods anymore and, for the most part, it's probably the best contraception I've had, taking combined and mini pill into account.

I am reaching the end of my tether with it and just need to make the appointment to come off.

Wish I'd researched on here first, but gynae suggested it and I accepted there and then
The number of posts on here from women like me experiencing breakthrough bleeding and decrease in mood and sex drive is a bit staggering. I wasn't warned about any of it.

Thanks for all of the comments. I have another pack and since I've given it this long I think I will take the last pack and decide from there. If the breakthrough bleeding would go away I would be perfectly happy with it.

I took cerazette for 4 months with no let up in the bleeding. So I stopped. It was for contraception only so DH got the snip

bonzo77 if it was only contraception I wanted DH would absolutely have had the snip

I hate that it is a choice of what is the least worst option, rather than what is the best option.

It needs 6 months to settle and you need to be taking it at roughly the same time every day. If I'm more than 3 or 4 hours later than the previous day, I will probably get a bleed and I've been on it for years. It is the only contraception I've been happier on than off and my periods are so much lighter - if they happen at all.

Same time every day for minimum 3 months and fingers crossed it will settle for you x

I tried for 5 months before I gave up with it. Constant bleeding and made my anxiety much worse.

I was on cerezette and then swapped to cerelle which is apparently the same thing.

I had no side effects with cerezette but cerelle was a nightmare, random bleeds for days on end, my hair was thinning, I developed acne. I stuck with it for a year and went back to cerezette and had no problems after.

I was the exact same as you OP. Bled constantly for weeks, acne went into over drive and I felt weepy all the time. Off it now. At my last smear the nurse was trying to talk me into giving it another go but I'd rather have a red hot poker up my arse than go through that again.

I've now got pms and stomach cramps, really thinking this might not be for me.

I started Cerazette 3 months ago, first month spotting only, second & third no period at all, just cramps. But the breast soreness is unreal, I feel like I'm walking around with hot potatoes on my chest!

Also, I've had painful lumps on each armpit, which is apparently caused by Cerazette too. I've been told to persevere but I'm ready to throw the towel in...….

I am literally having one of my worst ever periods, so much so it feels like something's seriously wrong

The gynaecologist told me I'd have NONE on this pill - I'm so fucked off

People on this thread would you go to your GP? I don't want to waste their time

I keep swaying between keeping on with this and hoping it settles and just throwing in the towel.

I think I will make an appointment and see about something else. I am still getting mood swings and the bleeding will go light and then really heavy again. I have bled constantly for at least 3 weeks now. Part of the reason for wanting contraception was to rid me of the mood swings.

I had similar and then I read that for some people a short double dose course will stop the bleeding. So, I took it every 12 hours for 2 weeks. The bleeding stopped within 3 days and never came back until I stopped taking it for other reasons. No periods at all after that initial 2 weeks.

If you are overweight (even by a bit) this pill can be a little "light" for you. That was my issue.

If you're going to the doctor, they may actually suggest this.

I'd call the doctor to ask if this is suitable for you to try. It really does work.

My doctor said it will take up to 3 months for your body to work itself out, I imagine if you're still having problems after 3 months then it's probably not the right pill for you?

I was lucky and have not had a single spot of blood since the day I started the mini pill, hope it works out eventually for you!