Don't understand why nurse put me on Cerazette (progesterone only)

[AntiqueMaps]

Hello

I'm early 40s and went to the nurse today for irregular periods and breast pain/period pain for much of my cycle.

I told her I do like having a period every month - in the past, taking the combined pill, I haven't run packs together as I don't like the breakthru bleeding I get when I do that.

She put on me on Cerazette.

Now that I've got home I see it's progrestorone only pill which can actually CAUSE periods to be irregular or stop altogether.

I don't actually need it for contraception btw. Long term single. Also healthy weight, non smoker etc.

Interested in your thoughts, thanks.

Because u have been on combined pill previously ??
presumably that didn’t resolve your symptoms so they trying the next available option ?

What were you hoping she would do?

Have you been off the combined pill for some time?

In the past I would have tried you on a different combination of combined pill as some are more progesterone dominant and other more oestrogen dominant. Now the advice is to avoid the combined pill especially in “older” women (35-40+ year olds) so mini pill is used.

I went to the Dr at your age and with your symptoms and started HRT!

Did you want the pill?

It's less likely to make them irregular, it will likely over time reduce the bleeding a lot and them it may or may not stop. But they will likely get a lot lighter. So it's more likely to be some spotting here and there and gets lighter pretty quickly. You'll have uterine protection so not having a period is fine, it's different if it was your body doing that naturally.

It's a different type of pill on a different mechanism, so only progesterone and unlike the combined one, it is taken continuously. Your combined pill likely had some weeks where you didn't take it or changed dose across the month. So the breakthrough bleeding should stop.

It should help with Irregular periods, as it suppresses over growth of the endometrium so reducing period frequency. I'd give it a try for up to 6+ months and see if you want to continue or not. There are other options like HRT, and low dose topical oestrogen, also the mirena etc.

Is the pain severe or not? You could try an NSAID like mefenamic acid or naproxen or others to help with any pain. The key is to take it before the pain starts to help the most, also the same for something like ibuprofen as it is also an NSAID but less strong.

At 45 I was told no to the combined pill, apparently they switch you over during your early 40’s typically (I was in a new relationship with grown up kids so belt and braces approach!!)

Thanks all. I wasn't really sure if I was asking for the pill (and if so what type) or if indeed it was time for HRT!

It's been about 3-4 years since I was on the combined pill. During that time, I obviously wasn't having "real" periods, just withdrawal bleeds. I've had regular "real" periods since coming off it but it's the last 6 months or so that I've had irregular periods and bad pre-menstrual symptoms.

The pain is definitely not severe. Just an annoying, persistent nagging feeling in my abdomen and a heaviness in my boobs.

i'll give it a whirl - I'm to make another appt in 3 months.