The mini-pill & my mental health | UPDATE | Lex Croucher
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2018
- I tried the mini-pill and it, er ... didn't go well?
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I'm really glad you're out here talking about your period forever and I will also listen forever.
same!
you probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me.
I ABSOLUTELY love the fact that I’m not the only one who struggles with this. I have severe depression and birth control is such a hard thing for me. I literally stock up on pregnancy tests as a way to ease my mind lol
A couple of things: 1) thank you so much for your continued openness about mental health and periods and whatnot, it’s super important and appreciated. 2) good grief do you look gorgeous in this video. Your skin and makeup and hair and shirt are all working REAL GOOD. thanks.
Thank you for talking about this! Love how open you are 😊
I'm so glad someone else didn't get on with the mini-pill! I was on it for only a month before I had to stop because I was having anxiety attacks nearly every night, was craving food literally all the time and I developed really bad cystic acne on my back. It was the worst month of my life! I've been pill free for nearly a year and a half now and although I do miss having the regulation of a pill to help with the monthlies I never want to put my mental health at risk like that again.
I love the period/ birth control videos. I appreciate that you share your struggles with us.
You look lovely today.
I appreciate that you take the scientific path on this.
So one reason why the different pills may be better or worse for different people is the filler. In terms of the medical ingredients (in this case the hormones) the pills are the same as your doctor said. But different companies will add different filler to make the pill big enough to swallow and maybe change the colour to make it distinguishable. Gluten, sugar, etc can vary in the different pills and if some people are sensitive to those fillers they may feel like one mini pill is more effective than the other. Something to ask your doctor about if you do choose to go on it and have a sensitivity!
It can also contribute to the way you dissolve and take in the hormones/medication! Everyone is different which includes our levels of stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and gut bacteria, which means if you have a combination of those that for some reason limits your uptake of the medication, you may not be getting enough/it can lead to different side effects.
I was about to post just about this, also that as the hormones are all synthetic, they are made slightly differently by each company, and the way they work with the fillers is going to affect different people different ways. But your post is way more succinct than I could put it!!!
I was prescribed mefenamic acid when I was younger to help cope with really heavy periods and it worked a treat with little to no side effects - it was a god send, everyone is different but I hope this works for you, good luck!
Yeah I really struggled the first few months on the mini pill. I've been on it for over 2 years now and I'm really happy.
I also went to see my GP about it, but she explain that it does take some time and to try and stick with it a little longer. It was really tough, but I'm glad I stuck with it.
I’ve been taking mefenamic acid for over ten years now and it’s great. I can have a couple of unbearable hours waiting for it to kick in if I don’t take it far enough in advance but after that it makes the pains/sickness/bleeding much more bearable. The only issue I’ve ever had with it is that you can’t take them on an empty stomach so it can be tricky to force yourself to eat when you’re feeling/being sick in order to take it.
I have also found over the years that exercise massively helps with my mental health and the physical symptoms of periods. I’m not sure how much you do but it might be worth considering upping the amount of exercise you do leading up to your period as it’s one of the only things I’ve ever found within my control that helps. Good luck with it all, I can totally feel your pain when it comes to period struggles xx
If it helps, it sounds like you had the exact same experience I did when I went on the combined pill for the first time. I took it for two months and had the most horrendous anxiety during that time. It was all consuming and I could barely function day to day. After I came off it I was instantly much better, but it still took about three months until I got completely back to normal. And yeah, that is completely different to how I've experienced anxiety before or since. So just give it time, and you'll be alright
Mefanamic acid was a lifesaver for me, hope it works for you! Ty for talking openly about it :)
Not a life saver for the unborn
You had such a similar experience to me, got put on the arm implant which releases like the minipill a Progestin Only hormone. Got so depressed and even suicidal, had never experienced anything like that before, it was so difficult to remove it too as doctors believe I should keep it for 3 months, cried when I finally got it removed and went back to normal. Now got put on the minipill and have a lot of acne like I never had before, thinking of going back on the combined. It's a constant struggle!
mefenamic acid was a godsend for me, good luck!
Mefenemic acid changed my life, no joke. I went from having such bad pain that I couldn't walk or focus and was throwing up, to being able to function at 90% on my worst pain days. Life saver.
Thank you for talking about this.
I spent 6 months on fenolla (cerazette) for 4 months, I was constantly on my period since day one and became incredibly depressed and anxious. For someone who has never been depressed or suffered from my mental health deteriorating before, I was certain it was the mix of hormones I was on. So relieved I came off it, but also sad because so many people benefit from this with no side effects.
I love how the advert on this video was for a pregnancy test
Switching pills helped me a lot! My GP said it can be caused by filler ingredients as well as active ingredients. For me, even switching brands of the same (watson, and junel are theoretically interchangable at the pharmacy) have caused my periods to be more painful. My doctor now has to write no substitutions on my script, because even the "same" pill had changes with my pain levels.
Wich one are u taking ?
I used to get horrible periods similar to how you described, to the point where the pain was so unbearable that I couldn't stand up else I'd faint! I eventually went to the doctors and got prescribed mefenamic acid and it was a life saver for me- I have tried everything including the combined pill. I really recommend taking one the moment you get your period before pains start as I sometimes make the mistake of leaving it too late and have to deal with an hour of pain and wait for it to fade!
I have been all over the shop when it comes to period medications. I spent nearly two years going to the GP to try and solve all the issues I was having with my period (sickness, cramp, vomiting, insomnia, panic attacks etc) and he was awful! Gave me stronger painkillers which didn't work and I tried Mefenamic Acid which was useless and they put me on the combined pill which made me go blind in the shower! The mini pill was the only thing I could tolerate and it was like a miracle cure. I would definitely recommend if you need an instant fix and don't have any pre-existing metal health issues, plus it's only one hormone so is kinder on your body (in my opinion)
Mefemanic acid is literally amazing haha, really helped me with my period pain (I was previously on the coil and the pain was unbearable). I’m now on the mini pill and it has been absolutely fine for me so far, everyone is different though!
Hollie Habgood those pain killers are awesome. I only used them right after I first went on the pill as being on the hill has greatly reduced how much pain I was in but having those pain killers was a god send.
its a life safer but they won't prescribe me with it any more? so ive had to start the mini pill and so far ive been bleeding for nearly 3 weeks so like that's fun
*actually is waiting with baited breath*
I've been on Errin now for 6 days. I have a head ache EVERY day. For the first 4 days, I was exhausted EXHAUSTED. Always sleepy. Slept for 6 hours or >, twice a day, for the first 3 days. Still was tired after resting. Little things made me cry for the first 3 days.Typically, I don't cry easily. Felt like I had a thick, brain fog for the first 3 days. It wasn't until this Thursday that my brain fog & bone-tired exhaustion was relieved. However, the throbbing headache persists. I always feel a little disoriented, either it feels like I'm adjusting to a new prescription eye glass or a little dizzy/slightly blurred vision, like I've been spun around too fast in a circle. That lopsided, haziness feeling is the worst & it comes & goes. I'm hoping to be adjusted hormone-wise in the next week or two, but I know it can take 2 to 3 months really. I've made up my mind to stick this through till my period is due. My upcoming menstrual cycle will determine if I stay on this pill or forego it. Had to switch from combination to this, but my periods are painful, & if this doesn't help, then better to be off it all completely than to be on it. Fingers crossed that my body adjusts sooner & comes to love this pill.
Thank you for sharing your story.
As a couple of people have mentioned, these symptoms sound a lot like endometriosis. Have you been tested? I used to have terrible periods like this, however, and I don’t have endometriosis. I have experienced mental health problems for my entire adult life, which hormonal contraceptives seemed to exacerbate. At the beginning of this year, I had my Implanon NXT removed and saw a new gynaecologist. She pointed out that oral contraceptives and the Implanon or bar release hormones into your whole system. The progestin-only ones essentially plunge you into a non-stop PMS state, which can exacerbate pre-existing depression and/or anxiety. I now have a Mirena IUD, which hurt like a mofo to have inserted, but is so far causing no problems apart from occasional pain and spotting. It works locally-that is, it does NOT flood your whole system with hormones. It might be worth looking into. I was scared, but I feel so much better now. It’s also about 6x more effective than the pill or Implanon as far as pregnancy prevention goes.
I feel like an asshole pointing it out all the time but the IUD does NOT work only locally. It is physically impossible for hormones to stay in just one place in the body. However, the dose of gestagen is significally lower (like, the hormone dosage of Kyleena I think is like one mini pill every 30 days or something), so the risk/chance for all side effects is generally not as high. But still. It's definitely there. What annoys me the most is hearing medicaly professionals like midwives and nurses say stuff like that (ie, "it only works in your uterus), because it's bullshit.
I have been through the same and also thought about trying the mini-pill but six weeks ago I gave DIM a try (diindolylmethane, it's in broccoli). It's supposed to balance the amound of estrogene in the body and my last period was soooo much better. I just tried it because I read about women w/ fibroids or endometriosis who felt pain relieve taking it. During my last period I just had normal cramps and no nausea and I was not forced to stay at home for a week. I hope it stays that way. Maybe it can help you with your pain as well :)
great blood content
I have made some really good experiences with reducing the cramps by doing certain yoga/stretching exercises about three times a week (not more than 5-10 minutes, I am lazy🙄). It really helped me, I saw a German RUclips video of moinyamina about that. It's basically a few exercises for the hip/stomach/underbelly area.
This was 100% my experience with the implant. It messed with my mood but stopped my painful periods 😱 I feel like either way I lose
I had a great experience with the mini pill compared to combined, and yeah pills are mostly the same nhs generally give you what’s cheapest at the time sadly
The contraception I have is the coil and I love it because it took away my periods and I haven't had any super bad side effects from it. However because I am paranoid about pregnancy, I take a monthly test just to make sure all is good. So I do recommend anyone whose contraception has taken away their period to take regular tests just to make sure haha.
I got the Mirena(Mirina?) iud and it's amazing. The implantation is unpleasant to say the least, but worth it. The great thing about the iud is that dose of hormones is much less and it stays local to your reproductive system. My mental health was severely affected every time I had a period, on or off the pill. But with the iud I don't have periods anymore. I have a friend whose periods were so bad that she became severely anemic. Her doctor prescribed the Mirena iud and she is now completely recovered. Basically, Mirena is the shit. And on top of all that it prevents pregnancy, too.
I love mefenamic acid! It's the bees knees. Hope it works for you too!! Also can recommend tranexamic acid to reduce your flow too!
I’m also a person who gets birthday depressed and weird about aging. One of my goals every year is to have an actual happy birthday, but most of the time that expectation feels too much.
I had a very similar experience - I was put on cerelle and it really affected my mental health. For me it was very obviously the pill that was causing it (I had a bad mental health time period in 2014, but I've never struggled with it since) so I was also advised my my GP to come off it. Got put on a different brand (that was one of the *actually* different ones). I felt much better mentally but it gave me a WEEK LONG MENSTRUAL CYCLE and my periods were still super painful. So then I came off that one and I just take mefenamic acid now (which is incredible for the pain).
love you!
I am wondering if the mini pill is progestin only. I had the mirena IUD for six months which is progestin only and it exacerbated my anxiety so much that I started having panic attacks at work. I wouldn’t want to do anything because I didn’t have any energy. I had the IUD removed a couple months ago and my anxiety has improved. Mirena also lists depression as a side effect. Glad you’re feeling better!
my non-treated periods used to have such a heavy flow that I couldn't leave the house for the 1-2 heaviest days. I filled a menstrual cup to the rim every 15 mins. the pain that came with that wasn't great either, but a small problem compared to the amount of blood loss and loss of productivity. for years I tried managing without hormones, but it didn't work. So I got the Mirena coil 9 months ago. Pretty much bled for about 6 months straight. Now my periods are lighter but last 12-21 days. the pains are worse than before. my mental health got f*ed up as well. heavily depressed, crying almost every day, seeing no value in anything anymore, losing contact to all of my former friends. I'm scared to come off it though. There's not many options for me. I can't take pills because of stomach-issues. Can't take the patch cause I'm allergic to the glue. Can't take the implant cause it only reduces bleeding in 1 out of 3 people and it's too expensive to try something so risky. Can't get the shot/injections cause of high risk for osteoporosis. Which leaves me with the ring. When that doesn't work I'll be out of options.
I’m sorry you are having a bad mental health period. I know how it feels :( I also have bad period pain but I refuse to go on the pill as I don’t want to mess up with hormones. I take prescription medication for pain. I’m sorry it’s been tough for you. Thank you for sharing. HUGS
I used to have so many issues with my periods, then I got prescribed Mefenamic Acid and it worked... for a while... and then it just got worse until I had to go for for the combined pill which works wonders for my mood/pain but I have to tricycle due to the horrific mood changes during each week off. Currently keeping my eyes open for alternatives but I feel like nothing comes without negatives and taking the step to try something new is always a bit scary.
Progesterone only pills (cerezette) have always had a rep for mood swings. Same with mirena, which is the same thing. Hope you’re doing well though! ❤️
I feel like doctors don't fully know or understand contraception pills properly (I'm not meaning that as a harsh criticism either, a doctor cannot know everything about every single area of medicine). I have been told so many different and contradictory things about the mini pill by different doctors and nurses that it is really hard to know what to do. Mental health wise, Feanolla sent me into a like 6 month long depression, throughout which I was on a constant period (more than spotting but not unbearably heavy), and my mood swings were ridiculous. Then I switched Cerazette and my mood instantly lifted, like within a few days. I still don't feel myself on Cerazette, I'll have really down weeks that I didn't have before going on the mini pill. My periods aren't constant now either, just very irregular. I do find it hard to believe that the only difference between feanolla and cerazette is the name tbh, the difference in myself was too much
I feel like with the combo pills, it caused me to be more depressed, anxious, and periods verses now when I’m off of it completely. That’s a very valid feeling.
I wouldn't underestimate the link to your hormones and your mental health, seriously trust the link between them :( 3 types of the combined pill affected my mental health negatively in different ways, but for me, since going on the mini pill last year, I have been mentally stable for the first time in SO long. And the change was immediate. So mad how hormones can affect your mood and body incredibly strongly.
Would it be worth getting the coil for you? I have the Jaydess which is the the smaller version of the marina and has less hormones plus I've had a really good experience! no pain, very light to no periods I've had no side affects but maybe I'm just lucky?
I love these videos! I'm a married woman who has been on the pill for about 10 years. I'm to the point now where my uterine wall is so thin I hardly have a period or have no period. My gyno said I was fine and definitely not pregnant but I still keep pregnancy tests in my medicine cabinet now!!
I've always been on the mini-pill due to breast cancer history in my family. Mainly in Micronor for ages and it was perfect. No periods or bad side effects. Then they stopped bloody making it! Past 6+ months have been a hell of trying out new pills. I'm so angry right now after finding out in this video that Feanolla is the same as Cerazette as that was the first pill I ever tried and it made me bleed lightly constantly. Why didn't my doctor simply look at my history and see this was a no go?!?! That's 3 months of grief I could have avoided. I'm now 3 months into Norgeston and it's going ok. Still regular periods (boo) and I've had some significant weight gain for the first time in my life (other life changes could be contributing to this). Gonna ask again if there is anything like Micronor again next time I go as I just want to be back to normal. I'm so annoyed that my life has been disrupted by drug companies whims.
i was on microlut for 4 months and i was fine for literally 3 months and 3 weeks, and in the last week it was like a switch was flipped. i went from fine to suicidal overnight. as soon as the hormones worked their way out of my system, i was basically fine again. incredibly disconcerting.
Getting a Mireya coil fitted was the best thing I ever did. All of the crappy side effects that came with taking various pills over several years went away. And I don’t get periods!!!
No, really. Thank you for sharing this. More should talk about this and make it a huge mystery about word of mouth but as a defacto of community support and ratings.
I take mefenmanic acid and it is really good only down side is that it needs to be taken with food and if I don't take it just as my period is starting I get really nauseous and can't eat anything. If this happens try taking some panadol and once you don't feel nauceous eat and take mefenmanic acid. hope the pain stays at bay :)
Mefanemic acid is beautiful and I love it
oh dear :( i have to change to the mini pill due to migraines and am very concerned! xx
Norgeston is very different. Very mild on mental health , but periods 6 days
I had the same on the mini pill. I felt so awful and that was with being on it just two weeks and I stopped at the point where I just couldn't function through the anxiety haze in my head. I was prescribed it after just a 5 min chat with the GP who knew my mental health history and nothing was mentioned about the effects it can have 😢
Lex I take mefenamic acid and it's seriously the only thing that makes my period pains bearable. I hope it helps you too.
Wow I had pretty much the exact same experience with the mini pill and bad mental health except I think I made it to four and half months or so. It was great for the first few months, but by the middle of the third month or so I was feeling really low all the time. I had never experienced feeling that low. I actually stopped caring about school (I'm one of those people that always has to get a good grade) and I just laid in bed all the time and felt like poop. I feel so much better off the pill but ugh now I need to find some good non-hormonal birth control.
Do they have IUDs in the UK? It's a intrauterine device. I've had 3 over the years (between having my babies) but have loved it each time. It lasts up to 6 years and can stop your periods.
If you have a lot of cases of breast cancer in your family ask to be tested for the BRCA gene. Essentially this is the “breast cancer” gene but carriers of such are also at an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Contraception wise, look into the vaginal ring. It’s the combined pill but has a much MUCH lower dosage of the hormones because it is localised. You have control over it- just take it out if you don’t like it- and the side effects are minimal because of the levels of hormone. I swear by it! If I have a choice I would never used anything else.
I’m currently 7 months pregnant, but this was very much a wanted and planned pregnancy between me and my husband, not an oops when using the ring!
I've taken so many pregnancy tests recently, me because I'm paranoid, and by my new doctor because of my migraine and nausea issues.
Just seen ur channel. I’ve been put on the cerazette mini pill after noriday mini pill was making me have 2-3 periods every month. I’ve just finished a 2/3week of a period and now I’m having mood swings that are so drastic I’m getting whiplash haha. I’m coming off it in 4 weeks. I had a mini pill after my daughter and it took three tries to find the right one and it worked so great. I also keep a stock of pregnancy test just cause my fiancé and I are on the same page about the fact we don’t want anymore kids. We have two that’s enough haha.
Sex educator here! And I don't know if anyone cares (probably not), but there are in fact two different kinds of mini pill, the kind of "traditional" progestogen-only and the desogestrel progestogen-only pill. The main difference is that while the traditional one needs to be taken within the same 3-hour window every day, it's 12 hours with the desogestrel. Desogestrel is just a type of synthetic progestogen (the "traditional" ones contain either levonorgestrel or norethisterone), and this specific type will stop ovulation as well for most people (while the traditional one only thickens your cervical mucus and changes your uterine lining). As far as the 10 available brands of the mini pill in the UK, a lot of them have the same active ingredient but there's a name brand and a generic version (Cerazette and Cerelle are virtually the same thing, just like Norgeston and Noriday). So yeah, there are essentially 3 different synthetic hormones at play here, and your body might agree with one better than the other, so while they all do pretty much the same thing that would explain why switching to a different pill might give you less side effects
i've had blood clot with combined pill when I was 20 and never smoke, never drink, was super healthy with no disease etc., should I be worried about progestin only pill maybe be causing blood clots if im in late 20s now?
Low hormone Combo Made me anxious and depressed, tried copper IUD and it was awful. Day 5 of Errin mini-pill and it’s back to crying and feeling depressed. Can’t win.
I also felt really really shitty on the mini pill (I was on Cerelle, which is the same as Cerazette), so came off it after five months. I am also now on Mefenamic Acid and damn it's good shit... after it kicks in, which still takes maybe an hour? I'm thinking about getting the Mirena coil later in the year, as that's meant to have the same advantages as the mini pill but without the mood swings. Fingers crossed!
I don't get particularly bad cramps but I do get verrry heavy periods and mefenamic acid has been amazing for that, and my best friend /does/ get terrible devil satan period cramps and she has had awesome luck with mefenamic acid so! fingers are crossed for you!!
Lex - I had exactly the same problem. My period pain was EXCRUCIATING when it came, I was vomiting too. It was unbearable. I always had to walk out of work because I could barely stand, I just lay on the sofa or bed all day moaning and felt like I would faint. But my friend said she also had this and discovered she had an iron deficiency. Since she told me that I have taken iron supplements and have had much less pain. I still have painful periods but no where to the point where I cannot function. I don't know if you are iron deficient too but just a thought
justalittlenutsy I always crave iron-rich food when I'm on my period...makes me feel less 'weak'. Sounds good!
not to freak you out at all, but have you looked into endometriosis at all? your experience sounds very similar to mine, lots of pain and blood, misery, hands in the air
I hope it isn't, but I REALLY hope you find some relief!!
mefanamic acid actually saved my life :)) i have no cramps now it’s amazing!
Has your GP looked into something called endometriosis at all? I have similar problems with period pains and have been prescribed naproxen (I literally cannot move from the floor for the first two days if I don't take it). I tried to go on the pill a few years back and had a similar experience as well - increased anxiety and depression, which significantly reduced once I came off it. I've now been told the next option is laparoscopy surgery, but I'm getting married in October and don't want to risk a surgery until after then. The female body is great but can be a real b*tch sometimes!
Kristy Bockus I was literally about to comment this! I’m currently on a waiting list for a laparoscopy too for endometriosis. I hope your wedding is lovely and hopefully the op manages to clear things up for you and manage this more ❤️ xx
I was about to comment this too! Endometriosis is so common but so overlooked and neglected by doctors and medicine in general. The "can't stand up/cries in the shower/throws up/can't function at all" kind of cramps aren't normal, as in "something you should just have to deal with".
Thank you! I was going to be put on a waiting list, but because I have a lot of traveling this summer and then the wedding, I've decided to hold off for now. I'm just extremely grateful that the naproxen reduces the pain down to a relatively bearable level so that I can at least make it through those high pain days. Although, I have to admit I don't love the fact that I have to take anti-inflammatories so frequently :/
I hope you have access to a laparoscopy for concrete diagnosis but if you can, I encourage you to wait until after your wedding! The doctors always underestimate recovery time (I think largely because endo is so under researched and often misunderstood). It's worth doing it and I don't want to scare you but full recovery can take months. Mine was longer than usual due to complications but I know another 3 people who have had months-long recoveries from a laparoscopy even though their doctor said it would be just a few weeks. It is a very very hard recovery too, I have had a lot of surgeries and this was by far the worst (if you have endometriosis cut out). Again, I don't mean to scare anyone but please make sure that you have adequate care and support for afterwards.
Kristy Bockus naproxen buddies! I've had a laparoscopy (they found nothing) and the biggest issue was the shoulder pains. Maybe you can ask but they don't humidify the gas they pump you with to dig around and then once they're done, they don't get all the gas out, and it rises into your shoulders and dessicates you from the inside. Yum.
oh i got the implant and bled a little bit, every day, for like a year. have the coil now worst pain in the worst but localised hormones and stop my periods please
Hi! Have you ever tried herbal medicinial products containing Vitex Agnus Castus (also known as chasteberry)? It should help with the irregularity of your cycles and balancing your Hormones. My doctor recommended it to me when I had no period for 6 months after coming of two different pills I tried (I didn't react well to both of them). Since I am not from the UK I can't give you any specific medicament names but I hope the information could help you :)
Honestly, I feel my best when I take no hormones, the mini pill has always been my fav tho as it seems to work best for my mood ect
my doctor told me its not the same and that i should go with cerazette (i use it for menstrual pain )
The mini pill made me cry and more depressed for a solid week so I had to come off it
I just started the mini pill few days ago and I'm already crying alot:(
I couldn’t tolerate it either due to depression!
Um so I'm fascinated by period experiences. I blame Hannah Witton mostly. 😂 But also its just me being the curious person I am! I need to research more about the whole 'not getting period ever again' thing, cause to me that triggers alarm bells, but I'm sure it's probably fine, it's just alarming to me to understand.
I feel like the pill made me crazy. Bat shit crazy.
And the implant :/
Oh the implant yesssss it made me crazy too and bloated like I was pregnant
When I was in my teens and 20s I was on different versions of the pill a few times (it's a long time ago, so I can't remember which ones). Each time I had a downswing in mood, that could potentially have been related to life stressors. And there have been other times, thankfully not recently, but there definitely have been, when I've been down like that when I wasn't on the pill. So it could be coincidental but my instinct is that it wasn't. The first time especially, I was suddenly really tearful out of the blue, and had my first real bought of depression. I was 17, I didn't have a clue it could be related to the pill (which I went on so that period pains wouldn't interrupt my exams....). When I told a family planning nurse this a couple of years later, she told me the two couldn't have been related. She put me on another pill, and the second time, it is harder to be sure of the connection, but I was depressed again. Years later, I read online that that particular pill was especially associated with some women getting depressed. I didn't go on it again after that (thankfully I wasn't having issues with my period that were as bad as yours). I'm thankful that medical professionals these days at least acknowledge that there can be a link between the pill and mood/depression.
(When my Mum went to a doctor for family planning help in the early 70's as a married undergraduate, the doctor asked her "do you NOT want children!?" with much horrified judgement. (She just wanted to finish University and for them to start earning before they had kids!) So I guess each generation is moving things forward a little.
It sucks all that you are going through! I hope the mefenamic acid helps. I remember taking it for a while and I think it helped? It's weird that I can't remember! I can't remember why I stopped taking it now either.... (old brain!).
quality blood content
mefenamic acid is my lifesaver
Did I miss what the ingredients are in the mini pill? What exactly is it?
Here's hoping that your period comes swiftly and relatively painless. I have been in microgynon since 2010 and I have to say it has really helped me control the pain and the flow. Although (ha, i made a rhyme) I am concerned to have been on a medication for so long and not had it properly reviewed, especially as this particular brand has been linked to depression. I'm currently travelling in New Zealand and it is something I'll deal with when I get back to the UK
Hi, can you do an update video on your periods?
❤️
Have you already ruled out Endo and PCOS?
Completely off the topic of your video but did you cut your hair? It’s adorable!
It's actually just all tucked behind my shoulders, but I will be cutting it soon!
lol The number of my friends, who've used my pregnancy tests because of the block, is massive.
You don’t need permission to get off any birth control pill. I’m glad you are hopefully feeling better!
3 week peroid sounds like a nightmare.......
I used to do that with pregnancy tests too 😂
Why is may mental month
Three months is long enough.
Thanks so much for sharing! Not sure about the UK but in Australia I've had much better luck with an integrated GP (like a regular doctor who also knows about holistic medicine). Unfortunately, western medicine is waaaaaaaay behind when it comes to hormonal issues. I guess they mainly effect women so...not really the biggest priority 💁♀️Anyway, hope your period sorts itself out but if it doesn't, there's a world of alternative medicine that can help ❤️xx
I am SO interested in knowing what an integrated doctor would recommend in terms of hormonal birth control!! (or birth control generally)
Erica Lilly this is awesome! Thanks for sharing your doctor info! Let's all move to Oz haha!
What kind of things has your integrated GP recommended? I'm in Australia too but haven't heard of one before, how did you find them?
Sorry for the essay: in terms of what integrative doctors recommend (keep in mind everyone's different), it's vitamins/minerals in clinical doses, herbs, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies if needed. A couple of years ago, I was really stressed and didn't get my period for 3 months or so. My dr recommended a herbal supplement and I got my period literally 2 days (!) after the first dose. She's given me some lifestyle recommendations like I drastically increased my fat intake (it's like a third of my diet now) and my period is super regular whilst it used to be all over the place. Also I used to have REALLY REALLY painful periods (like on the floor, can't move bad) and I mentioned that the cycles I managed to squeeze in some running, I seemed to have less pain on my period. She recommended I try high impact exercise a few times a week ESPECIALLY in the second half of my cycle and I haven't had that much period pain since. It's pretty cool ☺️
Also I haven't tried it but she has mentioned acupuncture before. It can help a lot with hormones apparently. Like there's people who are "clinically infertile" who get acupuncture and then all of a sudden they're pregnant etc
Have you thought of using the hormonal IUD? It has a localised effect on your uterus which will help with your cramp things but not affect your mental health.
Just as a warning, it did effect my mental health sadly :( changes in mood are listed in the possible side effects, too.
It's physically impossible for hormones to stay in one place in the body, so it can totally still have all the side effects. The dose is lower though, so the risk of all side effects is lower, but it's totally still there.
Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who paranoidly takes pregnancy tests
I've also had hellish periods. I'm lucky that my pill didn't hurt my mental health. I recently switched to the Kyleena IUD because my partner and I have a lot of plans of traveling and adventuring.
We'll see if it works ok! It's only been a week and half and so far it super sucks 😅
Yeahhhhhh I had totally different experiences on different brands, zeletta was horrible for me (huge mental health crisis) but cerelle was the dream, then I tried micronor (which was actually different in terms of hormones) and I had The Period From Hell so I went on feanolla and that was pretty okay but thennnn I went back to my old doctor and went back on cerelle and I totally noticed a hormone/mental health shift when I changed brands? But anyway have happily been on cerelle for almost a year continuously and I have no period and no mental health probs (worth noting I’m also on Prozac but thats for M.E)
When I was younger I took mefanemic acid and it was goooood for a while but then it was bad. Not trying to dishearten you like it works amazing for some people but for me it gave me like three semi functioning hours and then the hour I waited to take it again I was totally out of action. Also worth noting that if that one doesn’t work sometimes transexamic (maybe spelling that wrong) acid worked a bit for me and can work wonders for heavy periods. Hope it gets easier for you! ✨
This was a long comment boiii I have feelings about period healthcare etc