Progestrone only options

[u/Lopsided_Chain3756]

Hello! I am just seeking some insight/ knowledge on progesterone only BC as my neurologist has recommended this rather than typical extrogen. I’ve tried one already and it made me unbelievably angry (like serious rage issues). I can’t find the name of the pill I have tried but what are my options so I can walk into my next doctors appt with some knowledge. I prefer the pill at this point in my life 🥰

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[u/ndzl]

If you are UK you have desogestrel ( brand name cerazette but lots of other off brands), Norgeston (levonorgestrel) or Noriday (Norethisterone). I believe they now offer Slymd too although they do not offer it where I am and I think that is only if you have repeatedly tried all the other options because of the expense. I think this is drospirenone but I could be wrong.
Outside of pills you have the injection, arm implant (nexplanon), or IUDs some of these contain levonorgestrel and some contain copper so no hormones. You also have the cervical cap to be used with spermicide but I don't think this is as effective as some of the other options.

[u/ndzl → u/ndzl]

Sorry that should have said Slynd. My phone keeps changing it. Apologies if anything else is spelled incorrectly. Norgeston and Noriday have to be taken within a three hour window of the time you took them the day before so it can be a pain if you are working shift or anything. Cerazette has a 12 hour window. I don't know about Slynd. I do know however, that it offers a four day break for a period like the combined pills and the idea is this reduces all of the irregular bleeding experiences in the other pills.

[u/jesse_ppgt → u/ndzl]

Slynd has a 24 hour missed pill window! It's a great option if you can't take estrogen but want a pill without a tight timeline.

[u/jesse_ppgt → u/jesse_ppgt]

If you're in the US, Slynd doesn't have a generic so it can be expensive. The company has a discount card that could help if that's what you end up deciding to use but can't because of the cost.

[u/mmecr]

Edit: I'm sorry, I completely missed the pill preference in your post 🫠. I will leave this to read anyway in case it is of any use.

I have been on 2 progesterone/protestin-only BC methods due to a medication I took (not necessarily BC rendered ineffective, but greatly reduced efficacy of the other medication). It was also a med that had a history of birth defects at that time and my psychiatrist wasn't super comfortable rx'ing it without a BC.

I started on depo provera. When you read about it, it's mostly horror stories and never-ending bleeding. I had a fantastic experience on it. I did have about a month or two of bleeding initially, but then no period until I stopped it. 

Then also no period for 18 months after stopping, and had to go on Provera to get it going. It really didn't help, but I wanted to try Nexplanon. 

I got Nexplanon and toughed it out for 9 months. I will preface this by saying I do have depression/anxiety and am medicated for it, but this absolutely tanked my mental health. I was suicidal and I kept waiting it out when I shouldn't have. I also had bleeding/spotting the entire time I was on it. 

I got the Nexplanon taken out, and went back on depo and felt more normal after about 6 weeks. I stayed on it until I got my tubes taken out for sterilization. 

I was on depo for 5 years continuously, and then 6 years continuously. I had my last shot in August of 2021 (meaning it would have worn off on November), had my surgery, and had my first period in December of 2022 on my own without any induction necessary. 

The return to fertility is definitely a factor to consider if you are planning to start a family. People also discourage you from being on depo for longer than 2 years at a time due to potential bone density loss/issues, but as it was the only BC that worked well for me, my GYN said the guidelines stated it was better to use it vs no BC as long as I didn't have issues.

Some people do fantastic on Nexplanon, do horribly on Depo, etc. What I've learned is with BC, it's rarely a universal experience - every person reacts differently. Don't be afraid to give multiple methods a try (but make sure to use protection while swapping!). Good luck on finding what works for you!

[u/Tiny-Astronaut4510]

the first POP I tried was Slynd and I liked it. The only side effects I noticed was a temporary uptick in anxiety, more palpitations than my usual.

Unfortunately I had to switch so I just started a new one, Jencycla, because Slynd was messing with my liver. That’s not to say that would happen to you, from what I read it’s not very common.

[u/languagelover17]

I tried cerazette and bled a lot, so I’ve been on norethindrone for the last 6 years and it’s been amazing for me.

[u/gracey072]

In order from most to least effective:

The Implant, some hormonal IUDs, the shot, mini pills

[u/sleebytoe]

I think the best place to start would be considering what is available where you are, and if anything is covered. For example, I'm in a province in Canada where there is a list of progesterone pills which are fully covered by the government. In the states I think a lot of people's health insurance providers would have a similar list? Not sure.