As mentioned in title, I am 45, and have noticed a big change in my face/eyes, energy levels etc especially since last year, maybe some of the year before that too. I had bad PMS for years, and heavy periods, I would have maybe one good week a month if that. They tried me on anti depressants because apparently they were given for that too, but that would be with mood etc. Some helped here and there, with one I can only put it down to that it helped my appetite too and with being on a weight loss programme thing with NHS, of course that was great, as it helped me lose a bit, but had bad palpitations and so of course they had to take me off of them. With another one I piled on about 2/3 stone which gladly with some effort too, I lost once I came off of that one.
And with the doctor decided to give the mini pill a go after not being on contraception for years, and combined one not possible for me.
That was in 2023. Within a couple of months with all the changes and going back on Metformin too which I had years before that for PCOS. I was losing weight.
Hormone wise I felt good better than in a long time, symptoms reduced, periods stopped since the end of the first month I started the pill. And for the rest of 2023/2024 things were good.
But since end of 2024-2025 my appearance has changed my eyes drooped, energy levels low fatigued all the time, I feel like some of the symptoms have crept back up not sure if there is an exact point in the month that I notice it.
But even things like sore nipples at certain points of the month.
I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue anyway, and been having bowel issues so had a colonoscopy which I am awaiting results for. So all of that will be adding to the feeling.
The doctor spoke previously about going back after other referrals to discuss possibly trialling some HRT.
But then I have been told by other doctors and friends that they don’t tend to do that unless there are symptoms.
One doctor did a blood test to check some levels which would show if I am still ovulating or something/would still be having periods if i wasn’t on the pill basically.
And this came back normal.
I feel like maybe the pill has depleted something possibly, like does it make a change if I were off of it and still been having periods I might not have felt like this.
Sorry a very long post, lots of bits and bobs of info.
But just wondering what others experiences are around this age what they noticed/felt etc.