Cerazette Users/ knowledgeable people. Migraines and more TMI stuff

I was told the same as you, that Cerazette was my last chance pill. It worked for me for a couple of years but in the end I decided to just give up on the pill as it wrecked my sex drive and also gave me bad mood swings (not just Cerazette in my case). Since coming off I have found that my sex drive has increased greatly and while I still get PMT, it's predictable and comes and goes with my cycle rather than being random, which makes it easier to deal with. Is it not an option for you to come off? I found the benefits more than made up for putting up with condoms. The iron issue isn't necessarily a problem as the blood service naturally have to set their bar quite high to allow for you to lose a pint without becoming ill.

I never had migraines on it and I wasn't aware they were common - is your doctor aware you're still getting them? Is it possible they were unrelated to the pill and the onset is coincidental? Also Cerazette is more commonly associated with stopping bleeding than creating extra. Poor you, it sounds like you're really going through the mill.

I developed migraines whilst on Yasmin a few years ago and used to get them on the Saturday of my pill free week without fail every month. Eventually I was switched to Cerazette as the Dr felt the constant stream of hormones you get with the mini pill would help with this as migraines were put down to the major change in hormone levels during my pill free week.

I can't really offer much advice on Cerazette for you as it cured my migraines in month one, but I did have regular spotting for a good 3 months before it all settled down and now I don't get AF at all. I've been on it for 18 months now and have had a 1 day bleed just once in that whole time.

However a friend of mine had the opposite experience, constant bleeding for months resulting in anaemia and being taken off the cerazette.

It really is different for everyone.

It doesn't sound like it's working for you tbh, 7 months of spotting is a long time, plenty of time for it to settle down which it hasn't. I'd be inclined in your situation to come off the pill totally, see how the migraines are without the pill and then consider other contraceptive methods, such as the injection/coil/condoms etc.

HTH x

Sorry to hear you're having such a rubbish time whilst on Cerazette. I've been taking it for coming up to 6 months now and found it to be pretty darn good. I had one mini period at the start of taking it and nothing since.

It sounds like you and Cerazette aren't getting on too well at all so I think a trip back to your GP/family planning clinic is the best thing. I know they are busy with swine flu etc but people have other things too and i'm sure they would be fine with you booking an appointment to get this matter sorted out.

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I was on cerezette for about 3 months after my family planning clinic told me that the pill i was on wasn't suitable for me as my bmi was too high. I was only on it for 3 months and i didn't get on with it at all. I can't say that i suffered headaches or migraines with it but i did have irregular bleeding, no sex drive (maybe that's why they perscribe it as a contraceptive because it makes you not want to dtd) and i also turned into an evil moody ?. H and I never argued so much as we did when i was on it, and i was constantly in an i hate everyone kind of mood. Not good. After my 3 month trial perscription was up i stopped taking it. If i was offered this again in the future i think i'd rather go without the pill

I tried Cerazette for 3 months and gave up as bled almost constantly through that time - and my skin went to pieces.

It worked well as a contraceptive as I felt ugly and was always bleeding so never dtd!!!!

I went through a time on the pill when I got migraines so Dr took me off it completely. I had about a year off and then tried again and was fine after that.

It sounds like Cerazette isn't working well for you. Try the family planning clinic - they won't be dealing with swine flu.

I was put on mircronor and then cerazette because I was on daily medication for migraines. Luckily mine are stress related (I hope so anyway, they may start again now I've stopped the pill) so I could stop the medication after a while. Have you thought about asking your GP about taking some tablets to help with the migraines and then switch pill?

GPs have to deal with the everyday stuff as well as swine flu. My GP is diagnosing the flu over the phone now to stop people going to the surgery with it.

I came of the pill years ago because of my migraines. Cerazette was never offered to me as an option, so it's something I shall talk to my current doctor at my appointment tomorrow! I definitely get hormone related migraines, but recently I'm getting them in between too, which has been very frustrating, hence tomorrow's visit.

Hope you don't mind a relative newbie replying. I was put on Cerazette as I suffered from hormone related migraines and the hospital thought Cerazette would help and it has. I no longer have migraines. Been on it for 2 years and (TMI coming up) do not have any bleeding at all or any PMT symptoms. I think people can react differently to the same type of pill so it may well be worth going back to the Doctors to sort it out as it sounds like you are really suffering.

With regard to the bleeding I have just read this in the leaflet you get with Cerazette:

If bleeding is heavy or prolonged you should consult your doctor.

It also mentions mood changes and headaches as common symtoms. I think the only option really is to go back to the Doctors and discuss it. As someone else said (sorry can't see who it was at the moment) swine flu is mostly being dealt with over the phone so I'm sure your GP will be able to see you.

Hope I've been of some help.

thank you all so much for your advice and experiences. It echoes what I’ve read online too- that people tend to love it or hate it (the marmite of pills!)

I have decided I will come off the pill for the time being. I don’t know how much of these migraines are hormone related (they may well be stress related, I’ve had a very stressful time for the last few years) but also, as another poster mentioned they are very very effective contraception as I can’t actually put them to any use whilst bleeding all over the place (TMI, soz) well either that or I hate him too much due to the mood swings.

I can always go back on them if life turns out to be no better without them. am slightly reluctant to tell GP this, as they seem to be very against me leaving the surgery without contraception (in the words of my last nurse “you’ll only be back here for an abortion” er, cheers)

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I know. I wish I'd complained about her now, but at the time i was a bit stunned.

Another ?

I think cerazette is like the other pills, in that it depends on the person how well it will actually work for them. I find it great personally, as the doctor thinks i can't take oestrogen combined pills as they slowly produce bad side effects in me. when i started taking cerazette i had an upsurge in migraines when i first started taking it but they then became very infrequent. i would say i get one every four or five months now. i get light spotting some months too, but thats it. I have only had one AF since taking it and that was one week when i was severely ill with D&V. On the other hand it was terrible for my best friend. She honest to god became a right moody b*tch when on it, it also made her raynards (sp?) syndrome worse and she bled almost continuously for three months. However, that was the first time she took it. She came off it for eight months and then has gone back on it and is now fine with it!

ETA ? at what the nurse said to you! how rude! i'd have complained about her.

That is a flipping disgusting thing to say and I'm horrified that a nurse would say that to you! There is absolutely no need to tell your GP you're stopping them, just stop going for your pill checks. I came off the pill 2 years ago and I've managed very well not to get myself knocked up - there is other contraception out there or did nobody tell her that?!

I don't know why you started the pill but if like in my case it was due to heavy and painful periods you may find it isn't such an issue any more - mine are much better than they were before I went on the pill, when I was taking prescription painkillers for period pains. My mum (nurse) says that often the pill can sort of 'reset' your cycles so a year on it can sort out someone who previously had nightmare periods. Of course I might be being presumptuous but thought it worth saying...

Well worth mentioning, thanks SC. I had awful periods (8, 9 days, PMT awful, bad cramps, extreme tiredness) but as I've not had a natural period for years I was a bit apprehensive. But I have a good feeling they will have "reset" somehow. I suppose I'll find out soon!

My GPs is a bit odd generally TBH, although the nurses are floating types who arent employed by them. last time they went there there was a drunk man "manning reception" who called me a fine filly and invited me to ascot with him. I would move but they seem to have more money than most pCTS ?