Change in birth control question

Hi Ladies

So I’ve been on Microgynon for approx 30yrs give or take when I had my children, so last stretch after my son was born  is 19.5yrs. 3.5yrs is when my Generalised Vulvodynia started, after I’d withdrawn from Mirtazapine!

I have been on Lyrica/Pregabalin for about 3yrs along with 50mgs of Amitriptyline. As the Lyrica has helped me pile on 3.5stones I want off so am weaning off it very gradually ie; 1-1.5ml every wk to 2wks to let withdrawal symptoms settle etc. I went for my annual birth control check and it was suggested that I switch to the mini pill (Norgeston) as my BMI is too high to stay on Microgynon.

I have been on the new one 10 days. The day I started it I had a headache in the evening, but the morning after the discomfort started below again. ( It hadbeen fairly good, upto starting the new pill the odd day here & there etc.) Is it too coincidental that the new pill has caused it?

GP is puzzled cause it’s the same Progesterone as the combined pill it’s just there’s no oestrogen in it! I’ve also been feeling slightly queasy about 2hrs after taking it & mood & period pains last week were awful. You’dve thought id’ve had an awful period, really heavy but it was quite light just like when I was on the combined pill. The symptoms didn’t match the flow! Lol

I don’t know whether to persevere with the mini pill or stop birth control all together ?

Advice or experiences please?

Thanks

Jo

Hi Jo,

I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation. Switching medications can be so stressful and tricky.

I had to Google Mirtazapine to see what it is, and it appears to be an antidepressant, correct? And your pain started after stopping Mirtazapine?

Strangely antidepressants are sometimes used to treat vulvodynia, and if your pain started after stopping it, I wonder if there is a connection there. Are you willing to try going back on it?

Unfortunately from my experience, even if birth control is similar, the reactions we have to each one can vary wildly. Plus, hormonal birth control and vulvodynia have a horrible connection for many women where the pills actually cause a sometimes permanent change in the body, which results in chronic pain even after stopping the pills.

Are you able to try non-hormonal birth control options?

Hi

Thanks so much for replying.

I was out in mirtazapine because of insomnia & anxiety. I came off it as it didn’t help & took me a year to withdraw from it!

I think coming off it wrecked my central nervous system, which made it go crazy down below! I’d never go back on it.

Today I didn’t take the birth pill this morning as I had been & no queesy feeling but very emotional, crying at the slightest thing etc! Although my 24yr old daughter has been admitted to hospital because of her Crohns but normally I’m strong & get on with it! Have been better this afternoon though!

I don’t think I’m going to take the birth pill anymore & see if things calm down below. I realise my moods will be up & down but hoping it will help the V!

Thanks again huni

Jo x

Hi,

I was on many different hormonal birth control options pretty much since the day I got my period as a kid due to severe cramping. I also had severe migraines, which resulted in being put on many different antidepressants to try to control the migraines (makes no sense looking back).

I finally stopped the birth control in my early 20s, and it took many months to let my hormones even out. But the amazing thing was that my migraines disappeared. I told my sister about it, who also was on birth control and suffered with migraines, and after stopping birth control, her migraines disappeared, too.

Long story short, give it some time before jumping back into hormonal birth control. Condoms aren't so bad, and they make IUDs that don't contain hormones. Try to let your body heal. I promise you that giving this a fair shot will help you in the long run if your pain doesn't go away. I think so many of us, especially me, wish we would've followed through longer on ruling things out versus jumping around and back again to get to the bottom of things finally.

Keep us posted on how you're doing  

Hi

I’ve been better emotionally this afternoon. Still sore below, but I’m not taking the birth pill again.......... well for now anyway! Will be interesting to see if anything changes below by stopping it! Sadly my V started 3.5yrs ago & ive been on the combined pill for 19.5yrs so it didn’t start this awful journey.

I don’t get migraines but I’ve certainly been the type of person who had frequent headaches over the years, was even tested for neurological disorders in case it was that!

Will keep you updated huni. ????

Hi all

So an update!

I stopped the birth pill 12 days ago, 8 days have been good as in no pain! 1 day sore following sex & the other days the discomfort has been about a 4/10. Today there is discomfort pelvic area, but I had spotting & a lot of mucus with dark blood so I’m guessing I might’ve been ovulating?! Hormones all over the place as had bad anxiety yesterday & some of today.

I do think I’m dryer down there now, as when on the pill I didn’t have the need for lube? I thought the birth pill could make you dryer not the other way round?


I would add that I’m not using any birth control except my husband is withdrawing & ejaculating by hand at the end. On the two occasions we’ve tried sex! Sorry if tmi.....

Will keep updating.

Love & hugs ???? x