My doctor started me on Microgestin 1/20 for peri men. Anyone have any comments, problems etc., taking this? I am kinda leary about taking bcp because of my blood pressure. My hormones are all over the place especially my moods.

Just wondering if anyone else is on this and if this works to level out moods etc.

Thanks,
Susan

ANYONE???????

Well, I am replying not becasue I am taking that particular brand but I started a BCP (Marvelon) about 1 month ago to stabalize things a bit. Too soon to tell if it is helping. My sister who took 1/20 of Loestrin, low dose BCP, has been doing very, very well for years (about 7) and is fifty now and doc says she will ween her off them in a year or two....she still does have some peri/meno symptoms, but not like before. Hope this helps a bit.

Thank you for replying, anything helps at this point!

Hi Cotton 45: Lots in common here - I have been on Junel for 8 days. Microgestin and Junel are generics of Loestrin. So we are on the same bc. I am 46, never been on bcp but couldn't take the last 2 years of fatique, lack of any kind of drive, no energy, starting of depression (I am NOT the depressed type-I'm the anxiety type) constantly being overheated, heavy bleeding, not to mention many other horrid feelings. I've read so much about this and that and natural vs synthetic and I just gave in and did what the Dr. said. I tried natural supplements of every sort for a yr. to no avail and I was not looking forward to trying to work with getting creams compounded and having to go through, maybe many diff types of formulations etc etc. My gyn says that whether the estrogen -progesterone is bioidentical or synthetic, the body metabolizes it the same way and that it is a marketing hype. I cannot disagree or agree, I am not educated in these things. All I know is that we never know what will happen day to day or even if we will be here tommorrow and I want to feel good today.So far, better or worse. BETTER. Nausea at 1st but going away. Slowly getting back my energy and drive to want to do things around the farm here. Not constantly hot and my flashes down from over 20 a day to 2 a day. Sleeping better. I think food tastes better - that is NOT a good thing. Please write back, I'd be glad to keep you up to date, this is an experiment for me. Lisa


From Palamino again. I forgot to answer about moods, Not quite so sure the Junel has leveled them out but I don't think they could have gotten worse. I think I'm calmer now for sure. The turning point was abt 2 weeks ago when I just became so dreadfully dead tired and my teenager asked me something simple and I felt like I was going to combust, blow up, explode, whatever that feeling is and I just had to leave the kitchen and go lay down at my neighbors house ALONE and sleep. At that point I knew that when I had my annual pap test that week I had to get something in the hormone department. The timing was perfect. Haven't felt that way since. Am hoping your meds work well for you.

Hi Susan, I spoke too soon abt the good effects of Loestrin/Junel - I had to stop the bcps. At first I felt better then became so weak, fatiqued, dizzy, nausea and had very painful breasts. I'm waiting to them to get out of my system and seeing my Dr. in 2 weeks. So at this point, I don't know where to turn. I hope your experience is better than mine, I'm dissapointed. Lisa

Lisa:

Sorry I haven't responded.....not getting home till late, when I do get home I am too tired to do anything. I feel better since I havebeen taking the Microgestin, but feel like my appetite is picking up now. I just lost 15 lbs last month, although I was working out regularly. I haven't worked out in two weeks and feel like I am gaining the weight back. I stopped taking the Microgestin because I was eating like a pig, and then started a real heavy period. Should never have done that.
I know once I start going back to the gym I will feel better. The holiday and all the hectic bs is really wearing me down.

This is all new to me also, but I do feel better emotionally because of the Microgestin, now I just have to watch the appetite. Guess you h ave to substitute one thing for another with this perimen.

Thanks for replying, keep me posted about your doctors visit.

take care,
Susan

Hello Cotton, You're a few months ahead of me using Microgestin 1/20. I just started taking this pill yesterday, so only 2 doses so far. I have been very leary of taking any hormone due to ongoing problems with anxiety and depression most of my adult life. I'm praying this pill will help to stabilize my moods and energy. How's it been for you? Are you doing well? Let me know...I am a total newbie and need some feedback.

Thank you!!
Megan

I've been on Microgestin for 3-1/2 months and doing fine. My periods were getting erratic - 17 weeks apart sometimes, then 3 weeks another time. Ugh! and fairly heavy. On the BCP, they are a little lighter. I think it's leveled me out. I wasn't moody (although maybe my family would tell you different!), but did deal with some anxiety. I will keep on taking them. I think some of the anxiety was due to not knowing when I'd have a period! I feel like it's harder to lose weight, but I will work harder at that. I found in the last few months I don't tolerate caffeine. One cup of green tea can make me anxious. My gyno says I'm about half-way through meno, and I'm 54! Not sure when it started, but the erratic periods and an occasional hot flash started over 2 years ago. My sister took BCP and after a couple years, each period just got lighter and lighter until she didn't have them anymore. She was about 56.

My gynco was also concerned with BCP raising my BP, so I get it checked about every 3 months. I went last week and it was 122/78, with pulse of 72. My doctor was very happy. I'd like to lose 20 pounds and get off my BP meds altogether. I keep thinking about 2 years from now I could be over the menopause rainbow! I think not having periods must be so liberating.

Hang in there! As many have said, this web site is wonderful for finding help, answers, and support.

WriterMom