mini-pill. More frequent periods??

[nwmummy]

I've been on the mini pill for nearly 8 months as I am breastfeeding, previously I was on the combined pill for nearly 20years with no problems.
But, I seem to be getting far more frequent periods. At the moment I seem to be on about a 21 day cycle, sometimes going down to 17-18 days. Is this right? On the combined pill it was the standard 28 days, i.e. period in pill free week. I wondered if I was counting it wrong, but it seems to be only about 2 and a bit weeks between the end of one period and the start of another - which then last for about 4 days.

I don't really want to go back to my GP, I don't even know if there is anything he can do. I just wondered if it was common or anything to worry about.

[MummyToSteven]

i think it is fairly common - the mini-pill (as with any progestogen based contraception) have a possible side effect of irregular bleeding. by the end of my 2 years on the minipill i was having periods every ten days! it might be worth changing brand of minipill to see if that makes any difference. otherwise i think all you can do is wait and see if it settles. i think you would probably be better off discussing this with a family planning clinic nurse or doctor than your GP, as they would have more experience of side effects to contraception.

[MilkyWay]

I went on the mini pill 6 weeks ago after 20 years on the combined pill and haven't had a period yet...now I'm worried??

[MummyToSteven]

some (a minority) of women on the mini-pill find it does stop their periods. basically the progestogen in the mini-pill interferes with women's cycles - some women always ovulate on the mini-pill (so more likely to have regular periods), some women never ovulate on the mini-pill (more likely to have no periods) and most women sometimes ovulate and sometimes don't on the minipill (which I think tends to cause the irregular bleeding).

so no need to worry, Galaxy.

[MummyToSteven]

oops sorry about that do you want me to get that bit of my post deleted?

[MilkyWay]

No it's fine thinking of changing back anyway.

[nwmummy]

thanks. I suppose I've just been used to being so regular that it's taking a bit of getting used to. I don't want to be spending a fortune on pregnancy tests every month, but it seems like even if I change to a different minipill I might get the same problems. GP thinks that I'm too old for combined pill when I stop b/f, won't prescribe it over 35. It may be worth going to a fpc, although strangely enough I find those more intimidating than the GP.

[logic]

nwmummy, I started the mini-pill after ds was born and didn't have a period for over a year! I then had 5 in 9 months so it's completely random. I did ask the GP about it and he said 'stop complaining - most women would love to not have periods' I think it just affects people differently.