Could the mini pill be making me feel worse? Should I quit them?

Hello

I've been taking the mini pill (faenolla) for the last 5 months. It has so far being a complete nightmare!

When I started them, I was also taking a really small dose of citalopram for anxiety. The citalopram I'm sure was making my periods lighter yet much longer (my actual bleed increased from 5 to 10 days!)

Once I started taking the mini pill the periods got even worse. I was having a 10 day period, a gap of 4 days then another 10 day bleed which alternated between a full period or just spotting. This has never settled even now after 5 months. I stopped taking the citalopram and have been ok without It, but the bleeding is still really bad.

I've been to the clinic a couple of times. They suggested doubling up on pill for a week, they've also given me another type to try. I used to be on the combined pill which was perfect, but they said I'm slightly over the desired weight and cause I have heart problems in my family they won't prescribe me them.

I've been doubling up for the last couple of days. However I feel absolutely terrible in myself. I'm irritable, frustrated and anxious about everything. It made me think, could it be the mini pill that's been making me feel bad anyway?? I've always been quite upbeat despite being anxious, but this is different as in I feel really low and down alongside the anxiety.

The bleeding doesn't seem to be subsiding. I'm on day nine of having spotting (again). I wondered if I should just quit the pill and use condoms instead? At least until I come back from my holiday at the end of August. I don't want all this sporadic bleeding while I'm on holiday either. My partner is fine with all of this too I'm just a little dubious about using only condoms!

I have a couple of questions:

Could it be the pill that's contributing to these awful mood swings and anxiety?

Has anyone else had a similar experience and been better once they've come off of them?

Has anyone else has a similar thing and found a better method of bc that didn't cause anxiety or weird bleeding patterns??

Thanks very much!

I'm trans, but AFAB (assigned female at birth). Anyway, I hope I'm not intruding on this board, but I can definitely offer insight to this topic.

The short answer is: YES! It definitely can be.

The long answer is: Anecdotal, but after I had my baby I was put on Depo by my request. I thought it would be a good option, but it wasn't. It's similar to the mini pill (progesterone only). Anyway, on Depo I was miserable. I had a period three weeks out of a month (I'd have one one week, have a break, have another, then have a short break, and so on). It was light bleeding for me, but it never stopped. It was usually spotting. Some days, it was period like bleeding other days just seemed to be breakthrough. It was hard to tell when I was having a period and when I wasn't because I was PMSing and cramping ALL THE TIME.

It, also, worsened my anxiety to the point where I literally felt like I was losing my mind. Pair this with postpartum hormones and I was a mess.

When the 3 months were done, I decided I never wanted to touch depo again. The mood swings, bleeding, and weight gain were too much. So, I went on the mini pill. Other than the implant (which I refuse) the mini pill was the only other one safe while breastfeeding.

But it wasn't any better. I spotted nonstop. My periods, at least, seemed to subside for the most part. But when they did come, I got severely depressed. I would lay in bed and do nothing but cry. I didn't want to take care of my baby, I didn't want to be touched by my partner, all I wanted to do was sleep. This went on for four months on the mini pill. Then, I stopped taking it. And I've been better off without birth control.

I'm sensitive to side effects (with birth control, psychiatric meds, even Tylenol). So, I don't think BC is for me at all. I have just been using condoms, and since I'm in a monogamous relationship sometimes we just track my cycle to know when I'm ovulating and pull out or abstain. I know pull out isn't 100% effective, but it's worked so far (admittedly the fact that we don't have sex often probably plays a part in that).

Tip: Do not go on Depo. If y ou're reacting this badly to the mini pill, Depo will probably be 10x worse.

Thank you for response! Definitely not intruding it all

I was thinking about the depo but was worried that what you just described would happen or that it wouldn't help the bleeding. Definitely will be avoiding that!

I have got a pack of noriday however reading up on it that doesn't seem like it's going to be much better! I've taken one but am tempted to just use condoms. I'm just a little worried about how effective they are with no back up plan in place. And that I won't enjoy sex as much.

I'm just not sure what to do. My mood has been awful while been on the mini pill and my partner is more than happy to just use condoms. I'm just a bit torn. Getting pregnant now wouldn't be ideal...

Glad to hear that condoms only worked for you though as you hear such horror stories online! But I suppose you hear them about every birth control method.

Thanks so much for your input!