Hi All
I'm almost 39, three children and always had nice easy periods. Recently I've been feeling changes mainly centred around my period / ovulation... horrendous PMS rage, mood changes etc lasting from Ov to my Period. Sweating again only on my period, a big foggy, tired, regular thrust symptoms every month etc. My periods are short but 2 heavy days which I never had before, and edging ever so slightly closer together.
In December I finally had a wtf moment, I completely lost it in front of my children which was completely out of character so I decided to speak to the GP about my options. The two options she gave me were Mirena or Combined Pill, but she said most people try the combined pill first (I thought it was the other way around usually). Anyway she gave me Rivegedon which I know is an older pill with synethic hormones and I've heard generally bad things about it, depressions etc etc.
Last year I actually ordered Qlaira via a private GP, as I had heard good things about it and wanted contraception.. I didn't use it at the time just because I kept putting it off. I decided to start taking this in December, rather than Rivegedon as from what I have researched it's a gentler pill which fluctuates and is bio identical estrogen like HRT. So far it's already got rid of most of my horrible symptoms - the Thrush, sex is far better, PMS gone but I am feeling constant nausea on it which I know can last for a few months.
Anyway the point to my post - in the back of my mind there is this constant niggle about the risks of the combined pill as you near 40.. mainly centred around breast cancer and clots. There is limited data on Qlaira for both clots and increased cancer risk, Rivegedon has a lower clot risk and is often prescribed for this reason but this is because the Qlaira clot risk is unknown, and assumed at the moment. However, perhaps irrationally, I'm more concerned about the increased risk of Breast Cancer - maybe because Qlaira is such a new pill with limited data.
I'm healthy, not overweight, never smoked, drink way less than the weekly alcohol limit and no breast cancer in immediate family so am I worrying unnecessarily? I'm wondering if I should try Rivegedon as it was prescribed for a reason (probably cost) or still with Qlaira and not rock the boat.
The alternative is Mirena but I'm pretty certain I will need Estrogen as well, and I'm only just in the very early peri stages where most of my issues are cyclical. The doctor didnt mention Mirena and Estrogen so I know I would have to try it and see how it goes, before getting Estrogen as well.
I would love to hear from anyone who has used the combined pill for Peri in late thirties / fourties but also Mirena. And if so, which combined pill.