Period anxiety

I used to be on the pill and would run 3 lots together so I only had to have 4 periods a year, and they were generally lighter. This might be an option?

This may have worked for you, but you may be one in a million! I wouldn't recommend ever going on the pill unless absolutely necessary!! It's proven to cause all kinds of damage and even cancer - not to everyone, but there are mild herbal supplements which may be better suited. x

This may have worked for you, but you may be one in a million! I wouldn't recommend ever going on the pill unless absolutely necessary!! It's proven to cause all kinds of damage and even cancer - not to everyone, but there are mild herbal supplements which may be better suited. x

You do not engage with my argument, you just negate my entering this discussion merely for being a man. Your experience counts as just that, it is just your experience, it is anecdotal, not something scientifically or medically evaluated, or statistically investigated. Extrapolating your personal experience to everyone else, including people who might benefit from using hormonal contraceptives, is not especially helpful. For example, I tried St. John's wort, it changed me into a raging, anger-fuelled maniac, with a fuse about a micron long. However, I'm aware that it has been useful for other people, so I do not make blanket statements that everyone should avoid it. You should not do the equivalent.

Right about now is when the autistic need to resolve is at conflict with a need to control and be right and is working against you. Take your need to prove - anything - out on a NT board. You came at me & tried to shut a woman down who has 50 years of being female and stuck dealing with it. 

It's no secret Right Now, at this time-point in history, women are being ignored when they come forward and say the Pzfiser jab had ad extraordinary adverse affect on their reproductive system. I love science but one has to do a good deal of research to find out who's benefitting. I am TIRED of men shutting me down and then having the arrogance to accuse me of it when I bite back. 

Take your boots off and sit this one out, or go take it out on someone else, please. There's no way I'd recommend something that I haven't benefited from or that hasn't been around for centuries, let alone something on the market that hasn't been available since the 70's & still going strong even against the current. Thankfully somethings exist for those of us who would be crippled without.

'Mansplain' is shutting me down again. I was merely pointing out that though all drugs - and 'natural remedies/herbal remedies' (if they have any effect at all) - have potential adverse effects; that everyone should look at the actual data and not believe scare stories. Hormonal contraception is overwhelmingly safe, though this is a universe where nothing is absolutely safe. You can kill yourself if you drink too much water in too short a time period, for example. I worked for 34 years in biomedical research, I have authored papers on the molecular causes of drug resistance and 'rational drug design' aimed at overcoming drug resistance, so I think I have more than enough background knowledge in order to comment when someone makes exaggerated claims about drugs that have passed all the statutory tests for safety and have a good record of safety in use.

This is not 'mansplaining' it is reasoned argument from someone with a relevant professional background.

Perhaps again, you're reading into something that isn't there. I shared my experience (along with countless other women I have known over the last, nearly 50 years) and suggested being mind-full. Look at options. I'm not sure what issue you take with that. 

It's simply not for EVERY-one. There's literally no need to presume what I'm saying or accuse anyone of 'scare headlines'. Share your story, perhaps don't mansplain on this thread? 

I'm a former biomedical researcher, I have helped to design drugs to overcome drug resistance, so I have a valid and informed viewpoint. I do not appreciate attempts to spuriously 'shut me down'.

I'm afraid you're off topic a bit regarding what I've shared. How has the pill affected (good or bad) your cycle? 

For any reported risk of adverse effects, or increased disease risk, in using any drug, always, always, always look at the actual numbers. Usually, the scare headlines beloved of all media reporting hide something much less alarming.

Just to answer everyone below, I had tried several different ones at intervals in my 20s-30s and because they interfere with hormone balance (which regulates circadian rhythm, heartbeat, and so on), all these different ones lead to a sudden increased heart rate or other serious life-threatening complications. There's a company in the States called Crystal Star which has been around for decades and their herbal balancing supplements have been life changing for me. It didn't stop anything but they literally stop the pain and have helped regulate. 

I'm on the progesterone-only pill too and it has massively improved my quality of life! I haven't had a period in about 7 years and I have no negative symptoms associated with the pill. Before I would live in dread waiting for my period and the pain and sensory hell that went along with it, now I don't even have to think about it

I know the pill doesn't work for everyone but it is life-saving for many of us and I wish people would stop demonising it. 

Well, for some people it is absolutely necessary. I have endometriosis and going on the progesterone-only version of the pill has stopped my periods so that I'm not in agony for days at a time. Endometriosis has done far more damage to my body than the pill has.

There are risks involved in using hormonal contraception, as there are with any medication, but the risk of serious side effects is low especially with the types currently prescribed. It doesn't suit everyone of course but at this point in its development (roughly 60 years in) the pill is safe and effective for the majority of people who use it. For me, it's been life-changing.

It works for many people and the cancer risk in one area is countered by lowered risk in another. I was put off trying it for years because of worries like this, but regretted not doing it sooner. But we are all different, it's good that the OP gets a range of views to look into. I don't think mild herbal supplements can stop periods, can they? I think the pill is the easiest and least intrusive way to reduce the number of periods to a more manageable level, and at the same time make the bleeds less severe. It is at least an option to consider and weigh the pros and cons.