Any advice on how to help dd13 - minipill/periods/holiday

[Candlestickchic]

So my dd13 started the mini-pill (gets migraines) for bad PMT about 4 months ago. Unfortunately she bled constantly for about 2 months on it after the first week. GP advised to persevere as it might settle. She eventually stopped and had a month with nothing.
But now it has started again and we are on the second week of bleeding and due to go on holiday in a week. She is distraught. Can’t use tampons. She has period bikini bottoms but finds them uncomfortable. I know in the grand scheme of things this should just be a minor irritation but she is autistic and been having a tough time with anxiety, and she’s been looking forward to this holiday for best part of a year..
Anyone know anything about the tablets that can stop bleeding? Would they give her mood-swings though?
Or what if we stopped the pill today - I wonder if she would have a heavy period over the next week but then be clear by next weekend - that may be over-optimistic though?
Thanks if you’ve read this far. I will try and contact the GP but when I did so before when she was bleeding for months they were not very interested or helpful. I do understand they have bigger fish to fry, hence I am turning to the Mumsnet collective wisdom!

Dd went on the mini pill at 14. Stopped the first one because it gave her headaches. Persisted with the second one but still had heavy periods.
She then had the implant. Never had another period or bad symptoms. Same ingredients as the mini pill.
Would that be an option?

She has developed a severe needle phobia in the last year so I think probably not any time soon. Interesting that the same ingredients can be ok in different formats though..

Very frustrating as for me the pill removes periods completely and I was hoping she’d be the same

Are you thinking about Norethisterone? You can buy it over the counter or speak to a GP, which would be best to find out proper dosage side effects etc.

Yes I think it was - didn’t know it was available over the counter. But I just looked it up and you have to take it at least 3 days before you start so I don’t think it will help. Thanks for the info though

Dd is terrified of needles. Thankfully we have a very understanding surgery. Doctor and nurse were stars. That's it now for two years. Periods, pain and pmt have stopped completely. Much, much happier teen.
One to maybe consider for the future.

For one of my friends it worked, even if she took it the day her period started. Everyone is different. I guess you can have it as a back up.

Any work that can be done on tampons?

How heavy are her periods? Could she use nothing if it's very light/just spotting? Would a period one piece be comfier for her? DD has one from Amazon (so cheaper than the branded stuff) and loves it. But she does prefer one pieces over two pieces anyways.

Looks as though she’s too young for me to order the norethisterone. I think we might risk just coming off the pill altogether. Flow is unpredictable at the mo, so not a great deal to lose. A one piece probably would feel more secure but she has a selection of lovely bikinis she really wants to wear. I’ll have a look at Amazon’s offerings in that department though. We’ve used Modi Bodi so far but it is pricy!

Sorry the one I got DD was actually from ebay. A Love luna teen one, for £30 . Still quite pricey but handy for swimming lessons (she hasn't had to miss any) and the upcoming holiday. Plus she loves it so much and she thinks is so comfy (she has a billion objections to how things feel, what the cover,how,too tight,too loose,itchy etc) that she uses it on non period days.

If you find an affordable one it would be good to have as backup since she doesn't like the period bikini.

Is the mini pill she's on desogestrel based?

There are 2 other types of mini pill with different hormones that might be worth trying as they may not have the same bleeding side effect

You'd likely need a prescription for norethisterone due to her age. I think it can be used for bleeding as well as to delay periods

DD has mefanemic acid for heavy horrible periods. Has made a bit of a difference tho she needs more…

Both of mine (including my autistic dd) used tampons as needed - even though my dd with asd wasn't keen she persevered

@dementedpixie yes desogestrel. I have previously asked the GP if there are others she could try and he was dismissive.
Good to know the norethisterone can be used to stop bleeding. She’s actually had nothing for 2 days so perhaps we will be lucky!

@elderflowerandpomelo sorry to hear that, the poor girl. We haven’t got that issue, just a never ending light-moderate flow!

Noriday
Noriday contains progestogen in the form of norethisterone and must be taken within the same three-hour window each day.

Norgeston
Norgeston contains progestogen in the form of levonorgestrel and must be taken within the same three-hour window each day. It is one of the cheapest POPs available.

These are the other 2 mini pills. They both have a 3 hour window rather than the 12 hour window you get with desogestrel

@dementedpixie thank you so much for that info. I can ask the doctor specifically to try one of those - knowledge is power!

An update in case it’s useful for anyone.. GP said they don’t prescribe norethisterone to patients who can’t take the combined pill due to migraine, which is the case for us. However she said a newer and safer option is medroxyprogesterone acetate, which can be used in the same way. My dd has been taking it for 2.5 days now and it seems to have worked (touch wood). She has enough for the holiday and then will stop and likely have a bleed. So pleased for her!
I asked about the minipills mentioned by pixie above. She said they very rarely prescribe these nowadays due to the 3 hour window and the issue of irregular bleeding if you miss this. Maybe if I’d pushed we might have been able to try - but for now I am just so pleased we have a solution for the next week or so 😀

That's a great update. Good luck and enjoy your holiday.