Scared to come off the pill

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I'm 50 next year and so will need to come off the pill and I'm terrified. Before I went on it I had such bad PMS that I considered jumping in front of a train. I couldn't function anywhere near normal - I can remember someone having to open a door for me as I couldn't get my head around pulling or pushing the door. I used to get terrible mood swings where I used to scream and shout at my poor Mum. I feel so guilty but I genuinely couldn't help it.

Being on the pill changed everything, I still get slight mood swings but nowhere near as bad and I know when it's going to happen. I genuinely don't know how I can face coming off it. I'll obviously speak to my GP but I was wondering if anyone had any advice about how to cope or what options I'll have as I'm worried I'll be fobbed off. I'm so scared I'll go back to how I was and I can't do that to DH.

You can take the pill until you're 55. I'm 53 and still taking it.

Thank you, I didn't know that. Is it the combined pill that you're on?

Only if it’s the progesterone-only pill. Combined pill needs to stop at 50.

I take the combined pill since my gynaecologist suggested it a year ago. I'm 51! I had no idea it wasn't recommended. 🤔

You might be able to have HRT if you're in peri. That stopped me thinking about many different ways to die.

Thank you for your replies and I'm sorry you felt like that @LadyGAgain.

I know there's no guarantee I'll have the same problems again but I'm so scared to risk it. There's also the not knowing when I'll get my period - I feel ill for most of the time it's due or I actually have it (nausea, upset stomach, back pain, general ill feeling), but at least I know when it's happening and can plan around it.

You could switch to the mini pill (progesterone only) and then add in HRT by way of the patch or oestrogel and utrogestan. It should give you a similar mix of oestrogen and progesterone that the combined pill is doing for you (I am 43 and been in menopause since 37 due to autoimmune issues and I take the mini pill, oestrogen patch and utrogestan).

(Switching to transdermal oestrogen side steps the associated risks with the combined pill).