Should I stop taking the pill (not conception related)

[Wineisalwaysagoodidea]

Firstly, I am just looking for general thoughts and opinions as I live outside of the UK where I access private health care. This is great in some respects but I also don't have a familiar GP where I can discuss my thoughts through with and the system here means that you typically go straight to the respective specialist, hence me reaching out here first.

I had my one and only DC at 35 & post-pregnancy, my DH and I knew we wouldn't have any more. He chose to have a vasectomy as didn't want me needlessly taking birth control. This was great in theory but my cycle/hormones were all over the place and by the time my DC was 4, I found that I had times where I felt like I couldn't function. I went to a Gynae & Obstetrics specialist who insisted I was depressed and suggested meds to that effect. I was appalled by that TBH. She refused a coil and eventually acquiesced to me trying the pill.

This is what I have been taking since. My cycle is now regular and whilst on the day before I come on, and the first day of my period, I am completely wiped and quite down feeling, it passes within those 2 days. I am now mid 40s and considering coming back off the pill. Surely it's not good for me to be taking it long term - especially when there's no chance of me becoming pregnant.

AIBU to just stop taking it for 6 months and see how I go? I don't even see a doc to get my repeat pill prescription as it's just bought over the counter. If my cycle is still a mess and/or I feel like I did before then I will go back to a specialist and discuss my options.

If you have made it to the end of this - thank you. Just need some fellow females my age to chat it out with.

Yeah try it and see. Your cycles might be a bit whacky though due to peri given your age, but if you feel better off it then stay off, if not then you can easily go back on. Best of luck.

I think that a GP in in the UK would probably suggest a mirena coil instead of the pill. I never had one so can’t offer my experiences but there’s loads of threads on here about them.

I personally came off it in a similar situation. It took a while to stabilise but I feel so much better. Acupuncture helped to regulate cycles at the beginning.

Mirena coil sent me absolutely nutty but I know other people get on with it brilliantly.

Thank you for your replies, @Springadorable, @Setyoufree & @QueenOfToast - much appreciated.
I had requested the coil but the specialist I went to see as good as refused. There's also a cost element for me too, approx 500GBP to have it. The latter I can deal with but not sure why she was so dismissive at the idea.
I could try again and if I get the same response then I can revert to my idea of coming off the pill. I know for many that the coil stops their periods and cannot deny that would be bliss.