Endo - struggling with hormonal contraception as a treatment

[Sevennationarmy]

Hi,

I’m really hoping someone can offer help/ experience of what to do when you cannot tolerate hormonal contraception as an endo treatment. I’ve had to give up on the idea of having any more children, we tried for a long time and nothing happened, even after I had endo treated in a laparoscopy.

My GP put me on Rigevidon. I had told her that I had the coil removed after 18 months due to mental health issues including suicidal thoughts. I now realise that one of the active ingredients in Rigevidon is levonorgestrel, the same as the Mirena coil. I have gone from being absolutely fine right back to having the darkest thoughts, not wanting to leave the house, being unable to cope etc.

I had finally got to a point after my lap where my cystic acne had cleared - it came back within weeks of being on the pill. I never had acne until I started to get endo symptoms, not even as a teenager. It’s always on my chin, so I know it’s hormonal. I also have gained weight and have zero interest in sex.

I was put in Microgynon as a teenager and took this until my late twenties. I struggled with mental health that whole time. I felt just the same as now, awful suicidal thoughts and even an attempt. I always just thought I had depression and anxiety and was just a weak person. But now I wonder, was it always the pill? I am like a different person when not on hormonal contraception, like a fog is lifted.

I NEVER want this crap in my system again, I’d rather deal with crawling around on the floor in pain, passing out, all the joyous endo symptoms, than this. I have a GP appointment tomorrow and I know they will suggest I change pills. Has anyone tried Yasmin, Yaz or Qlaira?

What do I do if I can’t find a hormonal treatment to suit? My pain came back within a short time after surgery and the pill hasn’t helped much anyway. I refuse to have the coil again and don’t want the implant for the same reason. I am very wary of the menopause injections, has anyone had a bad experience of the coil / pill but been ok on them? My consultant said “oh, you must tolerate some hormones, you coped with pregnancy”. I actually didn’t, I had terrible ante natal depression. I am therefore pretty terrified of any more hormonal intervention- would I be better to just leave it and try to manage the pain?

[CryBaby91]

Hey Sevennationarmy! Love the name

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way, I'm sending massive hugs and positive vibes your way. Firstly, yes hormonal medicine CAN massively impact mental health. You are not going crazy, you are certainly NOT weak. Please never think that, speaking about mental health shows STRENGTH. So give yourself a break babe, you shouldn't be putting yourself down.

I've struggled for years myself, partly because of a very traumatic childhood which has left me with PTSD. But also the pill and other hormonal meds. My husband had a vasectomy back in 2018 and i came off all my contraception, i massively noticed a bigger control in my mental health. No it wasn't cured, yes i still had some intrusive thoughts, depression and anxiety. But my ability to approach them in a better way massively increased. I didn't feel like i was drowning anymore, i could cope enough to actually discuss my trauma and confront my issues with counselling. I also had to go to court and finally give evidence against the person who abused me. I did all that, and university through the pandemic lol never needed antidepressants! Yet when i started my menopause injections 4 months ago ....everything started to spiral again. I felt TOTALLY out of control. Mindfulness wasn't helping, exercises, breathing etc. It has knocked me big style. I’ve told my gynae ill put up with it for now, but if it gets worse I'll have to come off the hormones. The side effects are sometimes just as bad as the endo!

Please know youre not alone. Keep a mood diary, show your gynae what you go through. Do some meditation or Mindfulness, it really helps ground you. When you hear that voice saying to do something to yourself, tell it that would not fix anything and you are stronger than that. We all have that voice sometimes babe, some days louder than others. Just tell it to bugger off 😘 stay strong, reach out to your GP or gynae for help xxx

[CupcakeL]

Apologises for the quick reply, but I’m on the menopause injections (Decapeptyl) and they are nothing like other hormonal treatments- I love it.. even with Tibolone HRT which I thought would be like the combined pill but it’s not.

I’m the most myself I’ve been in probably all my adult life 😊

I know the chemical menopause isn’t for everyone but I like to share that my experience is nothing like that of hormonal contraceptives and do recommend trying it Xx

[CryBaby91 in reply to CupcakeL]

So good to hear positive experiences with the menopause injection! I've struggled really bad with mine but pain wise it is much better. Everyone reacts differently so it is always better to have a go and see how you feel personally xxx

[Thecraftyadder]

like you ive struggled with hormones. I only lasted 6weeks on microgynon! I had the mirena removed after 3 mths due to suicidal thoughts. After trying several pills and the coil I vowed never to do hormones again. However last year I was persuaded to try dienogest 2mg which is also known as Zafrilla, visane or another name begining with z in the uk. Its not a contraceptive, only for endometriosis. Its not perfect but im not flooding as ive stopped bleeding on it. It doesn't block ovulation and is a low dose so mentally its not been as bad. I have some anxiety and a good bit of weight gain on it. But ive got through 12mths and im waiting for surgery so its really a patch up job for me. It might be worth considering if its available in your area. X