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Original poster

Anyone's mentrual bleeding got worse with mini pill?

24 replies

HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 15:26

I'm in 40s and peri. Have been suffering with heavy periods for years. Have tried mirena but after two years of continuous spotting had to have removed. I'm now anemic and on iron tablets. GP suggested mini pill to try and help with heavy flow. I'm on day 14 of first pack, and day 14 of bleeding, which got worse 5 days ago. It's heavier than ever, clots and flooding every time I stand up, bright red blood. Pain as well ( which I don't normally get) and I'm feeling really weak. I rang drs but they can't speak to me until next Friday. I'm not sure how long I can leave it and where all this blood is coming from!!! Has anyone had anything similar? Thanks

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/02/2023 15:42

Which mini pill?

PeekAtYou · 17/02/2023 15:44

I am on mini pill and tranexemic acid which helps massively.

judesxmumx · 17/02/2023 15:46

HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 15:26

I'm in 40s and peri. Have been suffering with heavy periods for years. Have tried mirena but after two years of continuous spotting had to have removed. I'm now anemic and on iron tablets. GP suggested mini pill to try and help with heavy flow. I'm on day 14 of first pack, and day 14 of bleeding, which got worse 5 days ago. It's heavier than ever, clots and flooding every time I stand up, bright red blood. Pain as well ( which I don't normally get) and I'm feeling really weak. I rang drs but they can't speak to me until next Friday. I'm not sure how long I can leave it and where all this blood is coming from!!! Has anyone had anything similar? Thanks

Yes it didn't work for me, I had continuous heavy bleeding and had to come off after about 5 weeks.

Doc suggested that I wait to see if it settled but I was literally flooding every time I stood up (well it felt like that anyway).

Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 15:51

dementedpixie · 17/02/2023 15:42

Which mini pill?

Lovima

OP posts:
Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 15:51

PeekAtYou · 17/02/2023 15:44

I am on mini pill and tranexemic acid which helps massively.

Thank you, I'm hoping to be prescribed tranexemic acid.

OP posts:
Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 15:53

@judesxmumx ah no! That's awful. Looks like I'm going to be the same. Was really hoping this would be the answer.
Hope you are ok now x

OP posts:
Lilbunnyfufu · 17/02/2023 15:54

I been in the mini pill since December and I've been bleeding since December 31st. The GP prescribed me some tranexemic

Lilbunnyfufu · 17/02/2023 15:56

I been on the mini pill since December and I've been bleeding since December 31st. The GP prescribed me some tranexemic acid but that's not stopped the bleeding.
I can't have any other form of contraception due to medical conditions.

LulaK · 17/02/2023 15:58

Yes. It gave me five weeks off when I started it, then I bled for eight months straight. Didn’t do the job for me.

LulaK · 17/02/2023 16:00

@HormonalHetty it might be worth asking the doctor about fibroids. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine and that’s what I had. You’d need an ultrasound to diagnose.

AliciaMayEmory · 17/02/2023 16:06

I was on the mini pill (Desogestrel) for for heavy bleeding due to peri menopause, and although the bleeding was less heavy, it was for longer and more often than before I started taking it. I also felt absolutely awful on it. I stuck it out for almost a year and then one day decided it wasn’t worth it so just stopped taking it. Since then my periods have been much better, lighter and less often, so I’m glad I stopped taking it. On the other hand, I know about 5 people for who it has been brilliant. No periods at all, no side effects and stayed on it for years. It all just depends on how your body reacts to it.

Xrays · 17/02/2023 16:08

I have been on the mini pill (Cezarette) for 9 years now. I’m 42 and menopausal and take it now as part of my HRT alongside oestrogel and utrogestan. (Went into early menopause aged 37 due to autoimmune issues). I did have a lot of spotting and bleeding at first with it for a few months but kept on with it and after that it stopped completely - I haven’t had any periods or bleeding now for about 8 years (and this was prior to menopause too). It may be that it’s just going to take a while to settle - 14 days in is very early. But if it’s particularly heavy I would seek medical advice just for reassurance incase something else is going on.

dementedpixie · 17/02/2023 16:18

If the bleeding doesn't settle you could maybe try a different mini pill with a different hormone. Thinks there're 2 others that aren't desogestrel based

Lovemusic33 · 17/02/2023 16:21

I am the same on the mini pill. My gp has just prescribed it to me again today and I really don’t want to start taking it as last time I bled non stop and ended up with low iron. I am awaiting gynaecology appointment to see if I can have the coil (I have been sterilised and had ablation so not sure I can have the coil). I am the same age as you OP and have had the same issue. The combined pill caused me to spot all the time and my periods were really heavy, I am now not taking anything and am having 2 periods a month 😭. I would love to find something other than hysterectomy that will just stop my periods.

Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 16:52

Lilbunnyfufu · 17/02/2023 15:56

I been on the mini pill since December and I've been bleeding since December 31st. The GP prescribed me some tranexemic acid but that's not stopped the bleeding.
I can't have any other form of contraception due to medical conditions.

This is so rubbish, I'm the same mini pill is my only choice

OP posts:
Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 16:53

LulaK · 17/02/2023 16:00

@HormonalHetty it might be worth asking the doctor about fibroids. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine and that’s what I had. You’d need an ultrasound to diagnose.

I do have a tiny fibroid that was spotted in my last pregnancy. Hoping it hasn't grown 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 16:55

dementedpixie · 17/02/2023 16:18

If the bleeding doesn't settle you could maybe try a different mini pill with a different hormone. Thinks there're 2 others that aren't desogestrel based

Yes I'm hoping I can try another. Years ago cerezette and micronor worked well for me and I only had 5 days breakthrough bleeding.

OP posts:
Original poster
HormonalHetty · 17/02/2023 16:57

Lovemusic33 · 17/02/2023 16:21

I am the same on the mini pill. My gp has just prescribed it to me again today and I really don’t want to start taking it as last time I bled non stop and ended up with low iron. I am awaiting gynaecology appointment to see if I can have the coil (I have been sterilised and had ablation so not sure I can have the coil). I am the same age as you OP and have had the same issue. The combined pill caused me to spot all the time and my periods were really heavy, I am now not taking anything and am having 2 periods a month 😭. I would love to find something other than hysterectomy that will just stop my periods.

I'm thinking ablation maybe my next step. I'm guessing it didn't work for you by sounds of it?

OP posts:
Mrsworried1 · 17/02/2023 19:24

I tried it for bleeding control, had two weeks of no bleeding, then SEVEN months of solid bleeding. Was awful.

I just had a coil in 4 weeks ago, bled the whole time since, although not as heavy, so I have a feeling this will be the same x

Original poster
HormonalHetty · 20/02/2023 08:11

Update

I ended up in a&e yesterday after non stop flooding for 6 days, I was trying to cook dinner and felt really faint and strange. Rang 111 and they told me to go straight away, hospital were brilliant. Took it seriously and I was seen in treated in a matter of hours. In a fair bit of pain in my belly too but have possible uti so could be that. I was given tranxamic acid which has helped overnight, blood checked ( my iron is low but not dropped further) and have to go into the Gynie hospital for a scan Wednesday.
I asked if I could stop pill straight away, but they said keep taking it as if I stop my body will think it's period time and start bleeding again!! I really don't know where it's all coming from!

OP posts:
OyWithThePoodlesAlready84 · 28/05/2025 16:02

I know this is an old post but curious how you got on? Did the gynae appointment show a cause?

Original poster
HormonalHetty · 28/05/2025 19:37

I’m still the same unfortunately. Still plodding on.
scan showed no cause. I have since started HRT and have tried 3 mirena coils to help with the bleeding but they have been expelled ( one did stay put for a year and it worked really well) I have had 4 children and am over weight with heavy periods, which, when I’ve looked into it can all be causes of expulsion. My periods have been slightly better since being on utrogesterone as well as estrogen patches. Hoping to lose weight and maybe try another coil……… or ask for a gynie referrel. I don’t think there is anything causing my bleeding though, as I have had another scan recently to check everything and no issues found again. It’s just peri menopause 😞

OP posts:
OyWithThePoodlesAlready84 · 29/05/2025 12:02

Thanks for updating, and I"m sorry to hear that. Have you had a transvaginale ultrasound? If it was hormonale you would think the pill/ HRT would have made a difference..
I hope you find a cause and treatment soon. How is your hemoglobin and ferritine with all this blood loss?

I am starting mini pill next week after 15 yrs of no oral contraceptives. Mainly for the heavy periods so hope it helps. (Also had a mirena expelled when i was younger so not keen to try again)
I hope you get some answers op!

OyWithThePoodlesAlready84 · 29/05/2025 12:03

Sorry for the typos I'm not in the UK and my autocorrect knows lol

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