Taking the pill continuously- is this ok?

[MID123]

Hi all.

I have recently (last week) been diagnosed with PCOS. I have endometriosis as well (diagnosed 10 years ago). And I’m feeling massively overwhelmed, scared and just exhausted really. Just looking for some advice on taking the pill and whether to have periods or not...

I am currently on Desogestrel - a progestogen only pill. I have been taking this continuously (no breaks) for about a year and a half / 2 years now and I haven’t had a period in that time or any spotting. The reason I’ve done this is that my periods are unbearable due to the endo. I’m in so much pain that I can’t get out of bed. I have collapsed in pain during a meeting before which is quite embarrassing.

The reason I’m tell you all this is because I’m not sure if taking the pill continuously like this is having a negative impact on PCOS or endo.. and my fertility in the future?

I’m 25 and I want to have children in the future and I know there are so many myths about taking the pill continuously and fertility but I’m just worried to be honest.

I also feel that this could be making my symptoms of endo and PCOS worse? But I don’t know if that’s true.

I’ve just been diagnosed with PCOS - I’m confused and not sure how I can only be getting this diagnosis now when I’ve had many investigations of my ovaries etc. It’s a scary time and I’m new to the PCOS world just hoping someone has some advice really!

Thanks in advance x

[Hols969]

Not sure about the pop pill but combined pill you can do 3 months on the trot - you do need 3-4 periods a year to keep your uterus healthy and thought the only progesterone only route was if you had the coil so you don’t need to have periods as the coil keeps the lining from building up. The combined pill helps from a pcos point of view.

I would speak your gp as they should be able to help. Are you up to date on smear tests?

[MID123 in reply to Hols969]

Thanks that’s really helpful. I need to start having periods then. I know I should but they are so painful.

I am up to date with smear tests yeah! Have them yearly because HPV was positive on the last 2.

[Bronzie85]

Personally, I don't believe that the connection between the pill and fertility is a myth but that's just me. I have pcos only but dont planning on taking hormonal birth control again, at the moment I take nothing but eventually I will have the coil probably. Its difficult to give advice though as I don't know enough about endometriosis which seems to be your main problem. Also worth remembering that what you you experience on the pill is not your period but an induced bleed.