Women's health: experiences from women who take progesterone only birth control pills

[DisneyJamieCA]

I had been put on a combination pill, but it caused my blood pressure to rise, so was switched to progesterone only ones about 2 years ago. After that first month, my period has disappeared completely. It’s been lovely.

I don’t use mine for bc. I needed it for extremely heavy periods and perimenopause symptoms. .

 

[DisneyMommy77]

I had been put on a combination pill, but it caused my blood pressure to rise, so was switched to progesterone only ones about 2 years ago. After that first month, my period has disappeared completely. It’s been lovely.

I don’t use mine for bc. I needed it for extremely heavy periods and perimenopause symptoms. .

So jealous! Mine just will not stop!!

 

[disneychrista]

I don’t use mine for bc. I needed it for extremely heavy periods and perimenopause symptoms. .

This might be a dumb question but if your periods have stopped how will you know when you are “in” menopause?

The doctor put me on progesterone therapy for heavy bleeding after taking me off Nuvaring because he said the risks were too high for someone my age who didn’t need BC. The progesterone caused me to have depression crying all the time and just a general feeling of being off. After the first month I stopped taking it. Weird thing is other than some spotting for a few days last month, I have had a period in 3 months.

 

[easyas123]

This might be a dumb question but if your periods have stopped how will you know when you are “in” menopause?
[/QUOTE

That’s a question I had as well! Wish it had occurred to me to ask when I was at dr in November....I’m going to have to start writing stuff down for next appointment.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

This might be a dumb question but if your periods have stopped how will you know when you are “in” menopause?

The doctor put me on progesterone therapy for heavy bleeding after taking me off Nuvaring because he said the risks were too high for someone my age who didn’t need BC. The progesterone caused me to have depression crying all the time and just a general feeling of being off. After the first month I stopped taking it. Weird thing is other than some spotting for a few days last month, I have had a period in 3 months.

Not a dumb question and one I’ve had myself. I actually don’t know. I assume at some point she’ll do blood work to see where I am and then take me off of the pills to see what happens. But I’m 41, so while it is possible I’m in menopause, it’s highly unlikely.

So jealous! Mine just will not stop!!

I’m sorry! My periods were horrendous; couldn’t really leave the house the first day and coming about every 17-19 days. It wasn’t a life. I went back on bcp which at least regulated it. I was thrilled when she switched me and it went away. (I’m on NoraB for anybody wondering).

 

[lovemygoofy]

This might be a dumb question but if your periods have stopped how will you know when you are “in” menopause?

The doctor put me on progesterone therapy for heavy bleeding after taking me off Nuvaring because he said the risks were too high for someone my age who didn’t need BC. The progesterone caused me to have depression crying all the time and just a general feeling of being off. After the first month I stopped taking it. Weird thing is other than some spotting for a few days last month, I have had a period in 3 months.

I'm not a medical professional at all but from all my readings a woman has to be cycle free for a year (12 months) to be considered in menopause. Until then, everything is considered perimenopause. Speaking as someone in forced menopause, I certainly hope it gets better or someone is going to get a broken nose from me and then I'll be crying over them about it while wanting some ice cream exhausted from not sleeping.

 

[disneychrista]

I'm not a medical professional at all but from all my readings a woman has to be cycle free for a year (12 months) to be considered in menopause.

Yes I understand that. My question is when one's periods have stopped due to BC use, how does one identify when it is natural menopause and not just from the hormones in the BC.

 

[dez1978]

I take just progesterone bc of peri menopause. I’ve gained a ton of weight this year

 

[lovemygoofy]

Yes I understand that. My question is when one's periods have stopped due to BC use, how does one identify when it is natural menopause and not just from the hormones in the BC.

Oh my apologies, there should be continuous blood draws to measure estradiol and estrogen levels. Due to my medical issues, I have mine down every three months. There is certain level a woman should have in menopause or entering into it.

 

[Cheburashka]

I take bioidentical progesterone (which is not the same thing as artificial progestin-based birth control, which the OP is referring to). Progesterone and progestins are very different, and it confuses the facts to have them lumped together. The progesterone helps regulate my periods, which went haywire after a steroid shot. I'm in my mid-40's, so my perimenopausal body is probably prone to that kind of dysfunction.

I've never had any problem taking progesterone, except that it can briefly make me feel sleepy about an hour or so after taking a large dose.

 

[mom2rtk]

This might be a dumb question but if your periods have stopped how will you know when you are “in” menopause?

You don't necessarily know. At least I didn't. My doctor allowed me to stay on them through age 55. I had one brief period when I stopped, then was done. No hot flashes, no issues, no more bleeding. I feel a bit like I cheated. That was more than 2 years ago. I figure it's Mother Nature's way of balancing the scales after years of dealing with debilitating heavy periods, endometriosis and infertility.

I did a course of Lupron in my late 20's to treat endometriosis so I have certainly experienced hot flashes. So I really dreaded stopping the pills. What a lovely gift it was to have it all so uncomplicated.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

You don't really necessarily know. At least I didn't. My doctor allowed me to stay on them through age 55. I had one brief period when I stopped, then was done. No hot flashes, no issues, no more bleeding. I feel a bit like I cheated. That was more than 2 years ago. I figure it's Mother Nature's way of balancing the scales after years of dealing with debilitating heavy periods, endometriosis and infertility.

I did a course of Lupron in my late 20's to treat endometriosis so I have certainly experienced hot flashes. So I really dreaded stopping the pills. What a lovely gift it was to have it all so uncomplicated.

My mom really suffered with heavy periods especially when I was young.
She said there were many times we were in line for a ride and had to leave because she was bleeding through.
Both of my sisters had heavy periods.
One had an ablation that didn't help much.
The other insisted on a hysterotomy.
I'm not looking forward to what's likely coming for me in a few years.
I do not want kids so I'd be fine with a hysterotomy right now but I know they won't do it.
I honestly feel like I have something wrong with me because I cannot stand the feeling of blood hanging out down there.

 

[mom2rtk]

My mom really suffered with heavy periods especially when I was young.
She said there were many times we were in line for a ride and had to leave because she was bleeding through.
Both of my sisters had heavy periods.
One had an ablation that didn't help much.
The other insisted on a hysterotomy.
I'm not looking forward to what's likely coming for me in a few years.
I do not want kids so I'd be fine with a hysterotomy right now but I know they won't do it.
I honestly feel like I have something wrong with me because I cannot stand the feeling of blood hanging out down there.

What do you think is coming in a few weeks? Do you have heavy periods like your mother and sister?

Honestly, different things work for different people. At some point you're just going to have to ask your doctor's opinion and try something.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

What do you think is coming in a few weeks? Do you have heavy periods like your mother and sister?

Honestly, different things work for different people. At some point you're just going to have to ask your doctor's opinion and try something.

I'm concerned that a few years down the road my periods may become heavy. Considering how much I HATE my fairly light periods I cannot imagine handling heavy periods.
I'm asking my doctor her opinion about Progesterone only birth control on Tuesday as it seems like many stop having periods altogether while on it which is what I'd love to do. And its generally estrogen that can cause weight gain which is another big concern for me so another reason I'm asking her opinion on Tuesday.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm concerned that a few years down the road my periods may become heavy. Considering how much I HATE my fairly light periods I cannot imagine handling heavy periods.
I'm asking my doctor her opinion about Progesterone only birth control on Tuesday as it seems like many stop having periods altogether while on it which is what I'd love to do. And its generally estrogen that can cause weight gain which is another big concern for me so another reason I'm asking her opinion on Tuesday.

I'm no expert, but I'd wait to solve a problem until it actually happens. Most of the people I know who had heavy periods had them from a young age.

 

[easyas123]

I'm no expert, but I'd wait to solve a problem until it actually happens. Most of the people I know who had heavy periods had them from a young age.

I think the above is good advice, and you never know - all bodies are different. My heavy periods were paralyzing at times, just horrific and add into that being a young girl and well - no fun. Anyway, they subsided after I had two kids but eventually returned to their worst again. My Mother and my aunts (I have no sisters) had issues, but not those issues, and what they had/have I've never experienced.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

Update...
I discussed all options with my gyn. She says progestin only is great for periods and great as birth control for breastfeeding women because breastfeeding suppresses ovulation but its not as effective for birth control for the average non breastfeeding woman.

We also discussed the ring and that may be a good option if I want to try something other than a pill.

Since I was able to lose 7lbs in 2 months from just stopping birth control she does think I'm estrogen sensitive so she is trying to get my insurance to cover lo loestrin which is the lowest estrogen pill but if they won't then she will give me just loestrin which is kind of in the mid range.
She thinks either one could be good for me for short and light periods and even potentially skipping them.

I'm fine taking a daily pill and to me its the easiest, least invasive, and if I don't like it all I have to do is stop taking it.