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[CrispyChick]

Hi all. I'm currently on my 4th combined pill to try and settle my peri symptoms. Each pill brings with it new side effects.

I am 43. Was due at the meno clinic 3 weeks ago - was obviously cancelled. So until I get there and see an expert, I'm slowly working my way though all the combined pills to see if I can find one that works for me.

I'm in the UK and unfortunately there are now a good few pills no longer in production. Myself and gp have been using the pill ladder, but I'm not sure what options are left. Any ideas would be useful.

So far I have been on:

Mini pill - left me flat with mood spikes. Did not resolve all my peri symtoms

Gederal 30/150 (same as marvelon). Was good. But gave me migraines every few days. Stopped for that reason.

Gederal 20/150 (mercilon) gave me mood swings and low mood

Microgynon - this was me switching to other end of pill ladder. Gave me severe anxiety, jitters.

Brevinor - just started. No break after microgynon. Day 2 and already woozy and nauseous. This is 35mg estrogen and only 0.5 noethestine. Norimin had 1mg which was what I was meant to get, hut discontinued! Obviously I will be trying for much longer, but I'd just like some other ideas if this doesn't suit........

Many thanks

[Bobidy]

I can't advise on pill I'm afraid.

Just to say now it's advised to run packs of the pill together with no break and this should minimise peri symptoms.

I posted a podcast a while ago with Dr Zoe who said the break is only there to satisfy the flipping pope!!!!

[CrispyChick]

Thanks bobity. I am taking them back to back. My gp is happy for me to do this. I just want to find one that makes me feel like me again.

I've now got bad jitters a few hours after taking my second brevinor pill  .

[Alicess]

Hi Crispychick,

From experience; it takes time. Especially if you change from one to another, from high to low and back again and with different progestins. Some symptoms even get worse before they get better. You need to give it at least 2 to 3 months if you had so many changes. How long have you been on Microgynon 30?

Alicess

[Mogster71]

Just goes to prove how very different we all are!

Sorry you're having problems CC Microgynon was great for me in my 20's but perversely I am having more trouble in my 40s finding something for peri! Not much help I know. 

Is there a meno specialist you could try privately in the meantime? I know they are mostly doing on line sessions until we are out of this lockdown situation. Not sure if you even want to go down that route but thought I'd throw it out there in case it's useful. Would Mirena be any good for you?

Hope you feel better soon! x

[sheila99]

Is there a reason you're trying to use a contraceptive pill to cure peri symptoms? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick? Perhaps try oestrogen patch or gel with mirena which will also give you the contraception.

[CrispyChick]

I'm trying the pill because at 43 I've been through 2 1/2 years of hell and no doctor suggesting it was all hormonal. Then finally when the penny drops with me..... I wait a long time for my menopause clinic appointment, ibkybfirvut to be cancelled in March, understandably.

I'm not adverse to trying the mirena and some hrt, but my gp wants the expert advice.

Also, I have read that during peri it can be better to take the pill to override your iwn hormones rather than use hrt to 'top up' what us already fluctuating wildly.

So here I am  . 4 pills later......

My mood was bad on the mjni pill and the low dose 20mg combined pill, so I'm guessing mirena alone will do little for me. My mood is good on 30mg estrogen pills but the physical dude affects are too much.

Basically I'm trying to find the progesterone that suits me. I managed 6 weeks on microgynon before I changed - the symptoms were getting worse not better. I know they say 2-3 months. But im taking it back to back with no gap so 6 weeks equates to 2 months worth.

[lillith112]

Cerazette progesterone pill was amazing for me years ago, it stops periods completely and cured my menstrual migraines,  mood was good too.

Just to add mycrogynon the progesterone in that is very androgenic, hence your dude effects, Cerazette is a newer progesterone with low if any androgenic properties. 

Lillith.

[Hurdity]

Hi CrispyChick

I don't know much about all those pills as I never took them except for Microgynon 30 or something when I was early 20's. Now that was a long time ago! However one that gynaes do recommend for younger women who are suffering with mood swings and dramatic hormonal fluctuations of peri-menopause, is QLAIRA. That is different from all the others as it has oestrogen in it but not the strong synthetic one like all the others in use, but instead has estradiol, the bioidentical oestrogen produced by our own bodies. The progesterone is also one of the newer generation types, dienogest. There are only two days of dummy pills so oestrogen is takne most of the time in slightly varying dose to mimic the menstrual cycle. I'm always suggesting it but there are few reports of it. I hope it's because women try it, like it and then don't post any more because they are happily getting on with their lives! You could also try mumsnet to see if anyone on there uses it as contraception? There is another one ZOELY but the oestrogen dose is much lower. Good luck!

Hurdity x

[CrispyChick]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

Cerazette was the mini pill. I was on for years, but it seemed to stop worry king for me more recently. I was getting terrible pms.... Still no periods though.

Huridity. I am nervous of qlaira. I don't think it is authorised for dispecing in NHS Scotland, where I am. A quick google and I found a lot of folks not getting on with it. However, like you say, people that fo get on with something tend to go away quietly happy. I won't rule it out, but I'm not convinced gp will give me it.

Any other ideas???