I began my journey on the progestogen only pill due to the disheartening reality of experiencing the most excruciating period cramps I’d ever struggled with. Multiple fainting episodes, beads of sweat that would dribble down my tense temples as my back and belly ached like a knife that was consistently stabbing my muscles. I wanted the embarrassment of phoning home ill with period cramps on several occasions and the impact this had on my mental health, to exist no longer.
For a while, my doctor prescribed me mefenamic acid used to treat menstrual pain, but, as the title of this blog gives away, this was unsuccessful. The pain carried on. And so did the embarrassment of fainting. One of the most distinct unconscious experiences was sociology class- let’s just say, from the moment I put my hand up to raise concern and the outcome of ending up on the floor outside the classroom, I didn’t remember a thing. And even more horrifyingly, I was in complete confusion at the lingering, in-awe face of my old geography teacher that struck before my eyes as I, at last, reached consciousness.
The thing is, I was desperate for the pain to stop, and with this my doctor thought it was best I went on the pop pill. The progestogen pill was a bumpy ride for sure. One of the first disadvantages that became present was a very odd pain in my right calf, of course raising alarms of a blood clot. From this, blood tests were completed and I was rushed into A&E with the concern. And yet, the only thing to come from this was an uncomfortable night in a hospital room, and luckily, no blood clot to be seen. However, this wasn’t the end of my problematic period journey.
A bumpy ride indeed. This being said, irregular bleeding became a frequent occurrence, a huge disadvantage of the pill, which led to my future final decision to retrain from such hormone. This irregularity as a side effect is described as either making your periods lighter, more frequent, stopping altogether, or spotting in between, and two of these had happened to me.
I remember the nurse issuing me to continue taking the pop pill as I complained over the bothersome irregularity of my periods. It wasn’t an ideal, I was un-wanting of the consistent bleeding that would, at times, arouse an utter unawareness of its presence. And so I continued as advised, consequently resulting in months of a period free life. And let me tell you, IT WAS HEAVEN. No pain, no fainting, no more purchasing tampons. But, as thrilling as this was, it was way too good to be true.
My pill check up, like the millions of other check ups, included a bmi and blood pressure check, which went to plan and I was, very generously, given 6 months worth of the pop pill- Happy days! Although, the next week consisted of anxiety and striking nausea that I’d never experienced before, a whole new side effect had developed and was making my life seem hellish, to say the least. Another doctors appointment later, and a nurse had told me that I was appointed a different brand of my pill that have may been the cause of such naesua, and was luckily able to put me back onto the other one. Yet, the nightmare didn’t stop there.
What had felt like a lucky lifetime of refraining from periods due to my previous pill, had then resulted in a tsunami of irregularity. This irregularity evoked heavy bleeding for a prolonged amount of time, something that worried me greatly. I consulted my doctor and decided to come off my pill, (it was either that or double up!!). This again provoked even more stress as I reminisced on previous periods of monstrous pain, and so he also prescribed a stronger and more successful pain relief than my previous prescription of mefenamic acid. And what came from this still pleases me today.
Ever since my debatable decision to come off the pill, my periods have given me no trouble- finally times of 27 day cycles, and little of the pain. The cause of this sudden ‘perfection’ I cannot comment on, yet luckily the hell became less so.
It’s crazy how a pill can so dominantly affect your mental health, with my continuous bleeding causing me to feel, put in simple terms, ‘gross’. And the fact of being in a relationship meant this grossness was totally undesired. But, the pill is something you need to get right, its totally common to try out different ones, or different methods to find the right one that suits you.
So there you have it, my pill “horror story”, which many of you will most likely relate to in some way. I hope this story evokes comfort through this relation that through period problems, no one is alone.
Palpitation 