Mini pill made things worse: After finally... - Endometriosis UK

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Mini pill made things worse

16yearsofpainsofar profile image

After finally being diagnosed with adenomyosis (kind of similar to endo except it's inside the uterus) I was put on the mini pill (desogestrel). It made my symptoms worse. I bled everyday, felt nauseous and dizzy almost everyday, severe bloating and breasts felt uncomfortable and full (I don't usually have big breasts).

Has anyone tried anything that's actually helped with your adeno or endo? I have all the symptoms of endometriosis but I haven't had a laparoscopy.

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16yearsofpainsofar profile image
16yearsofpainsofar
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28 Replies
Tangoandmax profile image
Tangoandmax

Same thing happened to me. I now have endo diagnosis, but have Adeno also. They were keen to give me progesterone only, but it mentally and physically made everything worse. Their preferred hormonal treatment for adeno is the coil as it releases hormones within the area which is supposed to be better but given my reaction to progesterone only I couldn’t have it.

I’m now taking the combined pill (Mercilon) it’s a low hormone contraceptive, which I take on a tri-cycle and then break I’m on my third cycle and the pattern so far appears to be bleed, ok for three weeks or so and then constant bloating/bowling ball feeling/pressure and lower back pain for the remaining 2 months. Oh and constant spotting/bleeding.

I’m nine weeks post op and assumed everything would stop but the Adeno was of course untouched so, perhaps not xq

16yearsofpainsofar profile image
16yearsofpainsofar in reply toTangoandmax

It doesn't seem there's a treatment that won't make us bloat and bleed!

Tangoandmax profile image
Tangoandmax in reply to16yearsofpainsofar

I’ve just had my first break post op, if the pattern/spotting continues I’ll be asking to try prostap. I can’t continue with the bleeding, I can’t remember the last time I was able to just wear underwear without a pad. It’s literally been years 😔 they said it was a cervix issue, but it’s carried on after cervix treatment so obviously not.

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply toTangoandmax

I'm on prostrap best thing i ever did. X

Tangoandmax profile image
Tangoandmax in reply toRainbow2468

I’ve heard that from quite a few people. Annoyingly the team discharged me and said should things continue be referred back which seems absolutely daft considering how long ago surgery was. I was awake from 12 am until 3am last night in horrendous pain in pelvis and down legs, I’m going to go back and request it. Hopefully that helps xx

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply toTangoandmax

I'm so sorry to hear this, i hope you get help frim your doctor surgery, sending you a big hug x 🤗

Tangoandmax profile image
Tangoandmax in reply toRainbow2468

Thank you 🤍

16yearsofpainsofar profile image
16yearsofpainsofar in reply toRainbow2468

The idea of Prostrap scares me!

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply to16yearsofpainsofar

Hi i was scared too, it was over six months before i dared try it. But it's given me my life back, i could bot leave the house for two weeks out of every four, as i would bleed so badly and the stomach pain was horrendous. I was severely anemic, i had to have blood and an iron transplant. If you tried it and didn't get along with it, you csn always give it up again. Sending you a safe hug too 🤗x

Escapologygirl profile image
Escapologygirl in reply to16yearsofpainsofar

Or turn us into depressed angry emotional messes

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977

same I was on cerazette , but just changed to noriday and touch wood the bleeding is starting to stop so maybe this pill is going to work better , if it doesn’t I just have to manage it with out ,

16yearsofpainsofar profile image
16yearsofpainsofar in reply toVic1977

Does it stop the bloating and pain?

Magpie91 profile image
Magpie91 in reply toVic1977

I've been offered Noriday now as desogestrel for 4 months has affected me as 16yearsofpainsofar described and now I'm anaemic and having bizarre mood swings. I haven't had my diagnosis yet (because taking years to see a gynae to take me seriously) but GP suspects endo and adeno. I'm nervous about trying another pill. How long have you been on Noriday?

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977 in reply toMagpie91

Have you tried noriday yet seems ok first week but not sure long term , if it carry’s on messing up my bleeding then I stop it , as one doctor told me it will continue to lin my lining and with adenomyosis it just continues to grow so will continue to shed on the pill ?

fl0w3rbloom profile image
fl0w3rbloom

i went on the mini pill as well for my endo and pmdd and my mental health went to the gutter and i was still bleeding even though it said it would stop my cycle. coming off it was the best thing for me mentally

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply tofl0w3rbloom

I was on a mini pill bled for ten out of eleven weeks that i was on it 😔

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977 in reply toRainbow2468

Did you stop it

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply toVic1977

Oh yes id had enough of that, that helped me make the decision to go on prostrap.

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977 in reply toRainbow2468

May I ask what pill you was on

Rainbow2468 profile image
Rainbow2468 in reply toVic1977

Good morning of course it was Desogestrel. Hope you are having a lovely day x

Endolemon profile image
Endolemon

Only Prostap helped me with pain and bleeding (but has side effects) and hysterectomy after 💛

SupersonicSheep profile image
SupersonicSheep

After suffering with adenomyosis for over ten years, the only things I found which actually helped a bit were tranexamic acid (the doctor can prescribe this) and DIM (a health supplement you can order online). However the benefits were only temporary. Eventually I had a hysterectomy six weeks ago (after trying endometrial ablation first). Still, I think those things helped me to avoid hysterectomy as long as possible. Trust me, I tried EVERYTHING including the mini pill, which only made things worse, as you describe.

16yearsofpainsofar profile image
16yearsofpainsofar in reply toSupersonicSheep

I use tranexamic acid for the bleeding and then mefenamic acid and codeine for the pain. Although I suffer from severe blood loss (pass out) if I don't take the tranexamic acid, the pain is worse mid-cycle. What's DIM?

SupersonicSheep profile image
SupersonicSheep in reply to16yearsofpainsofar

healthline.com/nutrition/di...

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977

I’m gonna see how noriday goes , has any one else taken noriday did it make a difference if not I will go back to using tranexamic acid as that’s what I used to use but got worried about side affects , plus can’t use it to go on holiday if I fly the doctor said no ?

Tamtamoo profile image
Tamtamoo

Just seen this now.

Diagnosed with Adeno. I’ve been on Cerelle (desogestrel) for a year now and it’s the worst decision in one way and the best in others.

Pros: No pain, little bleeding (I was changing the largest tampon every two hours) no more anemia, moods stabilised.

One year on.

Cons: Weight gain in areas I’ve never put on weight (arms, thighs and stomach) ,Adeno has worsened in growth, not necessarily symptoms though. Uterus looks like I’m constantly pregnant.

O would try Cerelle as it was a game changer for pain and periods. xx

Vic1977 profile image
Vic1977 in reply toTamtamoo

Are you on cerelle now has it helped it’s amazing how different they affect , cerazette bleeding but years ago on just Desogestrel no bleeding maybe I should try a different brand

Tamtamoo profile image
Tamtamoo in reply toVic1977

Cerelle has been great for me. I’ve had no pain and no bleeding however with my moods being stabilised the first few months and feeling rather calm, I do have mood swings now, but this could be because of perimenopause.

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