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Deciding to stop taking the pill
I've been taking the pill for about 6 months.
I haven't really had any serious problems, just periods that are way heavier than before I was on the pill, and more period pain, and mood swings (sounds really bad, but I've been fine generally!) My periods used to be really random and irregular, so it was a bit of an improvement in some respects.
But my cousin has just been advised to stop taking it, after having very bad migraines for the first time in her life. She was told there was a strong link between the pill, migraines, and possibly strokes, and also, that it RUNS IN FAMILIES. My mum has always had bad migraines, as has my aunt. So I'm worried, and have decided to stop taking it, after this month. I am going to discuss it with my doctor but I'm pretty much decided.
So has anyone else been worried about this?
Has anyone else stopped taking it and had bad side effects?
I haven't really had any serious problems, just periods that are way heavier than before I was on the pill, and more period pain, and mood swings (sounds really bad, but I've been fine generally!) My periods used to be really random and irregular, so it was a bit of an improvement in some respects.
But my cousin has just been advised to stop taking it, after having very bad migraines for the first time in her life. She was told there was a strong link between the pill, migraines, and possibly strokes, and also, that it RUNS IN FAMILIES. My mum has always had bad migraines, as has my aunt. So I'm worried, and have decided to stop taking it, after this month. I am going to discuss it with my doctor but I'm pretty much decided.
So has anyone else been worried about this?
Has anyone else stopped taking it and had bad side effects?
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yeah i never used to get pain, but now, it gets so bad sometimes i just want to lie in bed and not do anything!
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but i hate injections, and i don't think that would help. its the migraine link i'm worried about.
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Evenstar
Might be worth considering a contraceptive injection. I had something called Depo Provera every three months 'cos I always used to forget to take the pill!
but i hate injections, and i don't think that would help. its the migraine link i'm worried about.
WOW! I reckon you should only use the pill when you need to. Otherwise use the good old condom
Have you considered switching pill though? The first one I was put on was awful, but I'm now fine. I know several people who have been on numerous pills before finding one that didn't give them hideous side effects.
Obviously there is the risk of a stroke you have to consider, particularly if you think it could run in your family. I assume your doc asked you lots of questions/took your blood pressure before putting you on it? However, as my doctor said, you're at more risk of a stroke if you get pregnant! You have to weigh it all up: if you need it for contraceptive reasons then would you prefer to be less efficiently protected but not at risk from strokes? If you don't need it as a contraceptive and were on it for other reasons I'd suggest coming off it because putting unnecessary hormones into you isn't good. I'm still not entirely comfortable with it myself.
Cxx
Obviously there is the risk of a stroke you have to consider, particularly if you think it could run in your family. I assume your doc asked you lots of questions/took your blood pressure before putting you on it? However, as my doctor said, you're at more risk of a stroke if you get pregnant! You have to weigh it all up: if you need it for contraceptive reasons then would you prefer to be less efficiently protected but not at risk from strokes? If you don't need it as a contraceptive and were on it for other reasons I'd suggest coming off it because putting unnecessary hormones into you isn't good. I'm still not entirely comfortable with it myself.
Cxx
Don't stop taking it until you speak to your doctor. He or she may be able to recommend a different brand of pill, or a different method of hormonal contraception. If you're going to switch to a different pill or hormonal method, it's best to do it seamlessly, as having a gap in between could throw your hormones completely off balance.
Remember that if you are sexually active, hormonal methods of contraception are by far the most effective, and you wouldn't want to become pregnant. There are loads of different options when it comes to contraception, and anything prescribed to you is free on the NHS, so you may as well talk about a suitable alternative before you stop taking it.
Remember that if you are sexually active, hormonal methods of contraception are by far the most effective, and you wouldn't want to become pregnant. There are loads of different options when it comes to contraception, and anything prescribed to you is free on the NHS, so you may as well talk about a suitable alternative before you stop taking it.
this is the second pill i've tried (cilest, microgynon before that) and it was no different.
There are loads of different brands though. They start most people off on Microgynon because it's cheap (I've had no problems with it) but I know loads of people on Yasmin or Dianette. Don't give up yet.
I'm a bit wary about the Depo shot because if you do have side effects, you've got to wait it out until the shot has run out, but I believe if you get the implant, it can be taken out with very little notice and you are back to normal straight away.
I'm a bit wary about the Depo shot because if you do have side effects, you've got to wait it out until the shot has run out, but I believe if you get the implant, it can be taken out with very little notice and you are back to normal straight away.
Microgynon just made me bleed none stop although i only took it for a month so I stopped taking it. This month I'll be trying out a new pill, after being au naturale for around 9 months... its cilest... so don't know what it'll be like just hope it doesn't make me constantly bleed for 4 weeks like the last one.
When I was 17 I was on the Depo injection and that stoped my periods completely, i came off it after a year cos I felt unwomanly not having periods, so went au naturale until i tried mycrogynon 9 months ago. My periods are so heavy and painful, part of me wishes i had stayed on depo, but I got worried about not having periods because its not natural.
My doc has advised me to give cilest a go for 2 months, but if i bleed everyday for 1 month, let alone 2, i'm stopping that too. There's no way I want to bleed for that long. Someone once said, 'don't trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn't die' hehe try 2 months!
maybe i'm just meant to be au naturale and have painful heavy periods, who knows?
When I was 17 I was on the Depo injection and that stoped my periods completely, i came off it after a year cos I felt unwomanly not having periods, so went au naturale until i tried mycrogynon 9 months ago. My periods are so heavy and painful, part of me wishes i had stayed on depo, but I got worried about not having periods because its not natural.
My doc has advised me to give cilest a go for 2 months, but if i bleed everyday for 1 month, let alone 2, i'm stopping that too. There's no way I want to bleed for that long. Someone once said, 'don't trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn't die' hehe try 2 months!
maybe i'm just meant to be au naturale and have painful heavy periods, who knows?
susiemakemeblue
There are loads of different brands though. They start most people off on Microgynon because it's cheap (I've had no problems with it) but I know loads of people on Yasmin or Dianette. Don't give up yet.
I'm a bit wary about the Depo shot because if you do have side effects, you've got to wait it out until the shot has run out, but I believe if you get the implant, it can be taken out with very little notice and you are back to normal straight away.
I'm a bit wary about the Depo shot because if you do have side effects, you've got to wait it out until the shot has run out, but I believe if you get the implant, it can be taken out with very little notice and you are back to normal straight away.
but its being on the pill at all i have a problem with. I don't want to risk the side effects especially if i'm genetically prone to it.
Also had a scare recently when i forgot a pill. i don't want to go through that again! Condoms were fine before, theres no resaon why we can't go back to them.
um...
do you think i haven't talked to him about it?? lol do you think the fact that its different for him hasn't occurred to me?
He does admit that there is a differece, of course, but its one he's prepared to put up with if my wellbeing and happiness is at stake.
In fact he has alsost insisted that i come off it, ever since he heard about my cousin.
do you think i haven't talked to him about it?? lol do you think the fact that its different for him hasn't occurred to me?
He does admit that there is a differece, of course, but its one he's prepared to put up with if my wellbeing and happiness is at stake.
In fact he has alsost insisted that i come off it, ever since he heard about my cousin.
(edited 4 years ago)
I just wanna say that I have a severe family history of CHD, all bar one of my Mum's 7 siblings (including herself) have heart disease and have had by-passes plus both of her parents died from heart disease and I'm still allowed to take the pill even though my Mum has also had a DVT. My doctor said that risks aren't really high for women under 35 who do not smoke so I think you should be ok on the stroke issue. Maybe go and have a chat with your doctor 
I have to have my blood pressure checked every 3 mths and maybe if your Dr decides to do that with you it'll be you more at ease because that way you actually know that your body is under control (considering stokes, blood related problems)
I have to have my blood pressure checked every 3 mths and maybe if your Dr decides to do that with you it'll be you more at ease because that way you actually know that your body is under control (considering stokes, blood related problems) Condoms just aren't as effective though.
scarlet ibis
but its being on the pill at all i have a problem with. I don't want to risk the side effects especially if i'm genetically prone to it.
Also had a scare recently when i forgot a pill. i don't want to go through that again! Condoms were fine before, theres no resaon why we can't go back to them.
Also had a scare recently when i forgot a pill. i don't want to go through that again! Condoms were fine before, theres no resaon why we can't go back to them.
This is not a link I've heard made before. Lots of people like to say a lot of things run in families, and quite often there's little or no evidence for it. Possibly not the most reliable source, but this may be of interest. If you want to come off the pill, then do, but discuss other options with your doctor though, because condoms are not as reliable.
lol ok i am sorry. it just seemed so obvious to me that we had discussed it. I couldn't not talk about these things with him. apologies , and thanks for maing the point.
and Helen
thanks for the article. Like I said, I'll discuss it with my doctor but frankly with the pain I've had on both pills, and the fact that most of the women in my family have migraines, i think i may well stop taking it.
and Helen
thanks for the article. Like I said, I'll discuss it with my doctor but frankly with the pain I've had on both pills, and the fact that most of the women in my family have migraines, i think i may well stop taking it.
(edited 4 years ago)
I stopped taking the pill after about a year. I started getting migraines after about 6 months of being on it and they were awful and even though I have been off it for nearly a year I still get them. If you are worried come off it, I get between 1 and 4 migraines a week and I can't see out of one eye and can barely move when I have them and have to take loads of stuff for them all the time and it's just not worth it. As for genetics I am not sure if there is a link, I remember when I was little my mum used to get migraines quite a bit but I don't know if she was on the pill. Like other people have said there are different pills so maybe you could change again. I started on microgynon and they did switch me to another one but I just couldn't be bothered with it so never took it.
As for contraception if your boyfriend is willing to use condoms then do that as you seem really worried, personally I use condoms whether I am on the pill or not (nothing is 100%) and if he suddenly changes his mind and wont or if anyone in the future refuses to then they aren't worth it.
As for contraception if your boyfriend is willing to use condoms then do that as you seem really worried, personally I use condoms whether I am on the pill or not (nothing is 100%) and if he suddenly changes his mind and wont or if anyone in the future refuses to then they aren't worth it.
Yep, I stopped taking the pill because of migraines (really, really horrendous ones - arrgh!!) Only thing is, I've been off for a few months now and my periods are still irregular (we're talking a week between them!! 
) which is scary especially since I used to have very light, regular periods.
) which is scary especially since I used to have very light, regular periods.Related discussions
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