i recently started birth control pills....?

Question

i was having long and very heavy periods--about 9-10 days. upon going to my gynecologist for birth control, she suggested ortho-tricyclen.

my period started Wednesday, January 31th...i started taking my first pill on Sunday, February 4th...by monday my period was significantly lighter, but it still has not stopped!!! tomorrow will be 19 days, but it is light--so much so that i don't really need to wear a pad, but still it hasn't completly stopped.
should i call my doctor on Monday? or just assume it's my body adjusting to the new hormone levels?

Answer 1

It could just be the hormones. I had the same problem with Ortho-Tricyclen though and it was the same way every month. After about 5 months I was able to convince them to give me a prescription for another type. Problem stopped as soon as I started the new brand (Yasmin). They say it can take 3 months for your body to adjust. Sometimes you also have to try a few different types to the find the one that is right for you. I would give it a bit longer. It is possible that by next month the problem will be gone. If it is still a problem in a few months see your doctor and switch brands as they have different dosages and even medications used in them.

Answer 2

I would call your doctor on Monday, for even with a hormone imbalance it should have stopped by now. Let her know your thoughts and ask them. This could also be a sign of another problem that has not been addressed. You may want to ask for a complete hormone blood work check, to make sure that your levels are where they should be. I also had heavy periods and was irregular most of my life. Later on, my periods stopped altogether, and there was another problem involved. When I was asking doctors about other sypmtoms that did not seem right to me, I was brushed off. In my heart I knew things weren't right, but at that time, I dismissed it for the doctors weren't doing anything about it. I often wonder how things would have turned out if my problem was caught sooner. I now have ongoing endocrine problems that doctors are finally listenting to my concerns. If your heart is telling you something is wrong, then ask your doctor and voice concerns. If this doctor doesn't listen, go to a specialist in the field with your concerns. As the old saying goes, listen to your heart, for you know your body better than anyone. And you know what feels right. You may also need to go on a pill that has one steady dose of estrogen versus the inconsistent estrogen levels of ortho tri....Your doctor may want to go a couple of months to see what happens, but again the ultimate decision is yours. My suggestion is switch to a steady dose and see if the same thing happens. I'm not a doctor, and this is only an opinion.

Answer 3

I would call the doctor. It's not normal to bleed that long when starting any birth control pill. Hormones or no hormones. Better to call the doctor and be safe, than not call and find out too late you may have a serious problem.
You may be bleeding because you need a stronger pill or you may have a problem.

Ask your Gyn.

Answer 4

The dose could be too low(you could need something with a higher dosage), or your body is getting used to it. I think its your body trying to get used to it cause it happened to me..i was on my period for 2 weeks. THey say it takes about 3-6 months for your body to get used to it. If its light, i wouldnt worry..only if you were bleeding alot. But your not so i wouldnt worry and it should go away soon.