Katia, thanks for your message I am unable to send a PM for some reason so will reply here:
No, I don't get any breakthrough bleeding on half or even 1/4 YAZ and my ultrasound shows a healthy, thin uterus lining and I feel emotionally stable and physically strong.
FYI: I started taking YAZ at 50yo start of peri menopause as I was feeling erratic and exiting a difficult relationship. My Doctor, rightly, said YAZ would keep me stable and it was brilliant for 5 years. I think my body adapted to it. At 55 Dr suggested I come off YAZ and try a more natural bio identical HRT. For two years I sent myself mad with depression, anxiety, palpitations, hot flushes, joint pain etc as I trailed alternatives. Angeliq seemed to make the most logical sense as I tolerate Drosperinone well whereas Ultrogestin made me feel suicidal however, the Estradiol at 1mg is not strong or targeted enough to balance 2mg Drosperinone. My doctor recommended topping up with another 1 or 2 mg Estradiol in tablet form but I felt this defeated the purpose of my attempts to minimise oral HRT and progestin - and, like you, Estradiol made me blow up. Also, health issues (clots, strokes etc) seem to be caused by progestin and not Estradiol so this suggestion did not make sense to me. Why not reduce progestin rather than increase Estradiol?
Ideally, certainly by 60yo, I would like to take transdermal only though have not had success with the patches and cannot find a progesterone/in to suit.
My doctor recently gave me a script for Duavive which I am reluctant to try as I do not like the idea of how the Estrogen in this formula is made and, if I change, would rather not oral HRT. As you tolerate Premarin, this might be worth trying for you though if you can stand more trial and error! I would consider an Estradiol patch or gel plus oral bazedoxifene (which is progestin alternative in Duavive).
As I mentioned in my earlier post, 50% of doctors I have seen do not recommend continuing YAZ but none are able to give me a logical reason why and studies I have read suggest 10mcg Ethinyl Estradiol is the minimum amount to take daily to counter osteoporosis and VA. There are HRT tablets available that use Ethinyl Estradiol though Estradiol is more commonly used.
What a minefield! I agree with all who say life is short and carpe diem.