Changing to mini Pill - no more TOM?

BerryH
BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
Warning - icky in parts, best left to the ladies!

Barring a couple of breaks, I've been on the combined Pill for decades and never had any problems with it, bar the fact my "breakthrough bleed" was always as bad as a full-on natural period - mood swings, weight gain and very bad back.

After a VERY painful failure to insert a Mirena coil (I nearly punched the nurse when it opened half-way up like a cocktail umbrella) I'm trying swapping to the mini Pill because I am Getting On A Bit (tm).

This will be a big cultural change for me. There's no pill-free break and I may have no periods at all. If I do they will be light and unpredictable (which will be a right pain in the proverbial).

I'm a bit worried though that I've come to rely on a monthly cycle. Even after all these years I get that "Phew, not pregnant!" feeling, plus it feels like I'm resetting everything once a month. Plus I usually register a weight loss when it's over, if it's been slow or a gain in the couple of weeks before!

I'm slightly worried I'm now going to get bigger... and bigger... and bigger without having a break! Plus that not knowing when I may or may not bleed will be irritating.

Anyone else on the mini-Pill who can give me any reassurances?

Replies

  • Nottm1984
    Nottm1984 Posts: 55 Member
    I'm on the mini-pill and have had no problems. I haven't had a period for a good few years now, you still go through the hormonal cycle, so can still go through bloating/moodiness, but I don't notice any getting larger and larger, if anything-things are more stable. I ended up on this pill as I was getting migraines on the combined pill and really heavy periods. I'm going to take a break soon, just to sort of "reset" myself as it were! You have to remember to take it at the same time everyday, but I just have an alarm set on my phone and my partner reminds me too. I'd recommend it, I've had far less problems on this pill than any others I've tried!
  • wenders123
    wenders123 Posts: 338 Member
    I have been on the mini-pill in the past, but kept forgetting to take it on time (very short time window). So I ended up on the mini-pill jab (if you get my drift). You have a jab every three months. I've been on it for about 8 years, and do not have any sort of cycle at all. And I think it's WONDERFUL. No pain (I had very bad period pain), no icky mess, no fluctuating hormones. In fact I have quite forgotten what having a period is like.

    Now I am 50 1/2, and have no idea if I have had the menopause, started the menopause or what. But I am questioning whether I still need to have the jab - we will see.

    As far as weight goes, it's difficult to say. I haven't noticed any impact, and have just lost 3 stone (since Jan) with MFP at a consistant rate, so if I had to make a judgment I would say it doesn't have any impact, and will result in you not having the ups and downs.

    Hope that helps :bigsmile:

    Wendy
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Fab, thanks Nottm, just the kind of informed reassurance I needed :flowerforyou: to hear
  • jaajh
    jaajh Posts: 1,262 Member
    I changed to the minipill four months ago. I too was on the combined pill and was having awful migraines every month. The minipill works great in that respect! I HAVE had periods regularly since taking the minipill BUT every 3 weeks instead of the usual four. So more often, which is not good, BUT it is regular and I am not losing at least two days a month in bed with a migraine which is GREAT!

    I gain weight before my period but do lose it afterwards.

    I was planning on getting a merina coil fitted soon (since I know these hormones - same as in coil - don't give me the migraines.) The coil seemed and easier solution than pill-popping every day. Now I've read your experience though I'm having second thoughts. Was it really THAT painful?!!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Ooh and Wenders, that definitely sounds like another option to consider. I've got three months' worth to try then I can go back and discuss!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I was planning on getting a merina coil fitted soon (since I know these hormones - same as in coil - don't give me the migraines.) The coil seemed and easier solution than pill-popping every day. Now I've read your experience though I'm having second thoughts. Was it really THAT painful?!!
    Seriously, yes :blushing: But I haven't had kids and apparently I'm unusually small. Thanks for the info :smile:
  • charliebird
    charliebird Posts: 168 Member
    I have the MCoil. Which I blamed for weight gain - which frankly was me looking for an excuse - the MR did not put the food in my mouth!!! I love not having any periods!! I am sure you will be absolutely fine on the mini pill.
  • charliebird
    charliebird Posts: 168 Member
    I was planning on getting a merina coil fitted soon (since I know these hormones - same as in coil - don't give me the migraines.) The coil seemed and easier solution than pill-popping every day. Now I've read your experience though I'm having second thoughts. Was it really THAT painful?!!

    I didn't find it painful - it wasn't pleasant but not painful - in fact I asked the doctor - "Are you going to fit it in a minute" and she laughed as she'd already done it! She took her time and also I did a lot of relaxation techniques and breathing so I was very relaxed through the process. She also put some local aneathestic on the area too. Oh yes and I had taken paracetomol about hour before had!!

    I have had kids - but they were C-sections so I'm not over stretched down there! (what a lovely thought!!)

    Three of my friends have also had it done recently and similar experiences to mine. Its not for everyone, but I would certainly recomend it.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Thanks everyone, more proof if ever it were needed that MFPers are experts on ALL subjects!

    Ooh, anaesthetic charliebird, THAT's what I was missing!
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