Hi Moms,
If you've had similar pill issues and solved them, I'd love to hear how. I've been off and on birth control pills for about 16-17 years. Usually off for several years at a time. Every time I start, it takes several cycles for my body to adjust and my periods to fall during the right pills. Then after about 7-10 months, my periods start change - they stop or they come a week or more early. I do take my pill at the same time every day, never missing one. When years went by that I wasn't on the pill, my periods were normal and regular. After having my daughter, I was on a different pill in the year that I was breastfeeding. When my periods returned, I started experiencing cramping and PMS, which I never had before. So I got on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which helped, but then the same thing happened after several months, so I stopped taking it. I used other birth control for awhile and my periods were again fine and I dealt with the PMS. I didn't think I'd get on the pill ever again. After having twins, my period came back sooner than I expected (despite still nursing them) and then it was REALLY out of whack. I'd have a light period for 2-3 weeks STRAIGHT and then only have a week to 10 days off. After nearly a full year of that, my OB suggested Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo again. It took about 4 cycles for all the breakthrough bleeding to stop and then my period evened out. I've been on the pill since August this time. Last month, I didn't get a period at all, but had some light spotting for a day. This month, I started my period more than a week before my "period pills" and it's lasted for 8 days now. Normally I just quit and deal with whatever period my body will naturally hand out. What I have not tried, though, is switching to another pill. I got on this time not for birth control purposes but to get rid of my 21 day periods! My doc says she's seen this happen to a handful of women, but really made no suggestions as to whether switching or stopping is better. Has anyone had this happen to them? Has switching brands ever helped?
***EDIT***
My doc is wonderful. She has not been insensitive, and it appears that I may have conveyed that to a few in my request. Nothing appears to be wrong with me - no signs or symptoms have pushed her or my GP to consider tests beyond paps & general physicals. My OB just said that it's more common for me to be out of whack (off the pill) with periods after having twins, but that some women do not have good luck with pills after awhile where some can be on for years with no issues. I just wondered if anyone who has had pill trouble like mine (after a set amount of time usually) has ever had success by switching - like from a low dose to a mid dose pill or something. I'm done having kids, but I'm not interested in trying different methods of birth control. I just debate whether or not changing or quitting would make a difference. My doctor isn't withholding suggestions, she just knows that realistically, I won't know if changing or quitting will help unless I choose to do it. She has offered me information on ALL forms of BC, but that's not really what I'm looking for. I guess my instinct is to just get off, but I was hoping to hear from some people who had good luck just changing brands or doses. Thanks to all, and I'm sorry if my post was confusing! -A.
If you've been on the kind where you take pills for 3 weeks and a week off, i'd switch to the kind you take everyday for the month... somehow they work differently. I've switched like 4-5 x cuz some of them make me squirrley. ortho tri cyclen was one of the wacky ones, but not familiar with 'low'. the last one i took started with a Z and it worked well, can't remember the name though....
After the birth of my second daughter, my hormones were all messed up. I was on several types of birth control and none of them would regulate my cycle. The only thing that "fixed" it was to get pregnant again. After my third daughter was born, my system was regular. I wouldn't recommend that as an option though. :D
I'm surprised that your doctor hasn't offered you anymore suggestions or has ordered any ultrasounds. Do you have painful periods? You talk about PMS, but is that accompanied by painful cramps or painful bowel movements while you have your period?
Good luck and I hope you find relief soon.
I am currently on Yaz (the pill I was taking before we decided to get pregnant)and it is not working for me. THe first cycle was great, second cycle I bled all month and did not bleed the week of the period pills, now being the 2nd week of the 3rd cycle I am bleeding again. Called my OB/GYN and she said this is very common. Your hormones change after havign a child and is switching me to Ortho Tri- Cyclen Lo. I am hoping this helps me as well as I hate this bleeding. If this does not clear it up then she wants me to come in to the office for an ultrasound. 2 years before I had my son, I had a Dermoid tumor on my left ovary and a total of 6 cysts on my ovaries, I was bleeding all the time. The Yaz got rid of the cysts and worked great. She is afraid I may have cysts again. Just wanted to let you know you are not the only one going through this. Really need to ask your Doctor for suggestions.
I would have hoped that your Doctor would have offered more advice. How strong is your pill? I have been on a low-something (is it Estrogen?) pill for probably most of the past 20 years. I don't even know myself when I'm NOT on the pill. My periods are very light and very predictable. I do get PMS though, but not as bad. I also get a headache the day before. When I have gone off for any period of time (even a month) my breasts hurt and I feel all out of whack. I know that there are different formulas out there, so even if you are on a low dose pill, I think you could probably try something different. I don't think just switching brands would help; you'd have to make sure it is of a different make up. Good luck. Hope it works for you.
It annoys me when doctors blow off these sorts of concerns. I haven't personally had this problem but know some friends who have. Have you considered trying another hormonal method of BC? Maybe the nuva ring (which is even a lower dose of hormones, since it's localized) or the Mirena IUD? Or, have you considered completely getting off the hormones to see what your body does on its own? Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) or a copper IUD (Paraguard) would be 2 good ways to do this and let your body figure it out for a few months/years.
I think at this point I'd consider getting a second opinion since your doc doesn't seem to be sensitive to your problems.
Wow reading your letter was like a retelling of my life the last year except I had a son for my second child not twins. I have had these exact same issues while on the pill since I started at age 19. I would be fine for awhile (usually at least a year or more) and then everything would go wonky and i'd have to switch. After both my kids my periods started 2-3 months after birth(I too breastfed) and the pills caused issues much sooner. After my second birth I like you had light-med periods for 3 weeks then 8 days off before starting again, while on low-estron. My Dr reccomended trying a higher dose pill. I know that the trend now is the low dose but what I was told was that some womens bodies naturally run on higher levels of estrogen and the low dose pills just really mess up our systems. We do not get enough hormone and that causes the breakthroughs and such. I am currently on femcon fe and it is working ok now for4 months. I did for a time quiet a few years back before kids and while my periods were "normal" that wasn't a good thing for as a normal period turned out to be heavy bleeding for 7-10 days. That may or may not happen to you it depends on what your periods were like before the pill. I hope this helps.
If you want to stay on the Pill I would recommend trying either a monophasic or higher dose of estrogen or both. Pills such as Ortho-Cyclen, Lo/Ovral, Yasmin, Zovia, Ortho-Novum, Nordette are all monophasic (same dose of estrogen and progestin in all the active pills) and have either 30 or 35 mcg of estrogen. Many of these also have different types of progestin (all have the same type estrogen, but different amounts). Different progestins have different effects and some are better "tolerated" by certain women than others. Some women have less breakthrough bleeding on the Nuvaring, even though it is a lower dose of estrogen it provides a much more stable blood level due to its slow continuous release.
As mentioned in a previous post, choosing a method other than the pill might be best. Options like the shot (DepoProvera) and Mirena IUD are progestin-only, and many women on either method have irregular bleeding/spotting in the first few months after starting, but are having very light or no periods at all by the end of the first year of use. Many women like this "side-effect", but if that is not agreeable with you I would avoid those.
The copper IUD (Paragaurd) uses no hormones, so if your cycle returns to "normal" this might be a good option. Some women experience more cramping and heavier bleeding, especially for the first 2-3 cycles after IUD placement. With your highly variable cycle in the past I would recommend waiting for at least 3 cycles after quitting the pill to start the IUD. That way your body would have a little time to adjust and cycle on its own and you would know if any variations in your periods are just how you are now or possibly related to the IUD. No one method is right for all women, it can be a frustrating and ongoing search to find what works best for you. With any switch you make be sure to give it enough time to adjust before making a decision on it. I generally recommend at least 3 cycles with pills and 6 months with IUDs.
It is very important to have a health care provider that listens to you, addresses your concerns/problems, and gives you guidance. If this is not what you are getting from your doctor you may want to consider looking for another. Or at least get her to really discuss your options with you. You may need to come armed with lots of questions about pills, and all the other options available to you. If you have any more specific questions feel free to email me. Good Luck.
