Mini-pill Birth Control

Hi. I have been on the mini pill since my son was about 6 weeks old and he is now 2. I have been irregular a few times, but I think it is usually when I miss a pill or 2 OR take a pill later than the usual time I take it. Maybe once or twice a month I get a really bad headache on one side of my head which my doctor said could be from the pill, but the pill in general, not just the mini pill. I have definitely gained weight since being on the mini pill, but I wouldn't say it's been from the pill, lol. I don't know if this will help or not, but since I can relate to the question, I just wanted to give you my experience. I can't think of any other problems I have had from the mini pill.

I just posted a question related to this. I just started spotting after having no period since before I got pregnant. My son is now 19 months and still breastfed. I have been on the minipill (Camila) since he was 3 months old. I can't say that I have felt any difference at all being on it. Actually, I weigh less then before I got pregnant. I was on Yasmin for many years before I stopped to conceive and has no problems with that either. My skin is not as clear as it was with the combo pill. That's about it. I think people blame a lot on the pill. Its very low hormone.

I also was on the mini-pill after I had my daughter, (I was breastfeeding her too) and I didn't experience any side effects except for the fact that some months I would get my period twice, and some months I would totally skip it. The midwife practice that I go to told me it was totally common for this to happen while being on the mini-pill. I also continued to take it even after I was finished breastfeeding until I was ready to get pregnant again, and it worked better for me than the regular pill. Enjoy that baby :)

Hi C.,
Firstly, congratulations on your second son!

Regarding your reaction to the mini-pill, know that it's common for your cycle to go out of whack, but not required. There are plenty of other brands of mini-pills (I.e with lower hormone levels). Just go back to your doctor to try a different type. Good luck!

I am on it and you dont get a real period--only spotting. Unpredictable and annoying!

I discussed this and many of the other things the other responders have posted with my doctor. It is not the pill, it is the breastfeeding that makes you irregular. I took the mini pill from the time my first was 6 weeks old until he was weaned at 7 months. I did not get a period until after I weaned. I am also now currently on it since my second son is 11 weeks and I am nursing him too.
If you hate having to take the pill and don't plan on having anymore children, consider Mirena or another copper IUD. I have my appointment next Monday. My insurance covers it with a $40 co-pay and it is 5 years of BC with no pills or daily routines.
Yipee!

BTW-the copper IUD Paraguard is completely hormone free

All I know about the mini pill is that 3 people I know have children very close together (14-16 months) because the mini pill didn't really protect them from getting pregnant. I'd consider using additional birth control if you don't want to get pregnant again soon.

Hi C.- I too went on the mini pill after I had my daughter.I seriously felt like I bled for 8 weeks straight. I hated it! I only lasted 2 months then switched to regular birth control. (stopped breast feeding) Good luck!

Hi C.,
I took the mini-pill while breastfeeding both of my children (the first for 11 1/2 months, the second for 13 months) and with my first, I got my period around 8 months, my second it was around 12 or 13 months. I never spotted or anything, but you do have to take the mini-pill at the same time every day or you risk pregnancy. I was terrible at remembering so to be on the safe side I took a pregnancy test every 6 or 8 weeks so I wouldn't have a big surprise later. I never got pregnant on the mini-pill.

I also lost a lot of weight while on it, but I was working out and eating very healthfully and trying to lose weight. I never really felt anything with it (hormones or otherwise). When I stopped nursing I went back on a combination pill. I hope that helps. Every woman's body is different, so you might not be comfortable taking it, but spotting is normal. Hang in there!

I was on the low-dose pill while nursing b/c my doctor was concerned that I would get pregnant too quickly after a c-section.

The pill worked, but there were months that I got my period twice (lots of fun) and then others were next to nothing. Eventually after six months, my cycle regulated and I have been fine since. No weight gain or other side effects since.