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

sometimes girls, upon first starting birth control, can bleed off an on until their body adjusts to the hormones. just be patient and eventually you will have more regular periods. if however, you continue to spot, tell you doctor, and you might need to switch. not every birth control works for every girl. that's why there are so many kinds out there. you may need to try a few before you find the one that's just right for you.

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

HI!!!
I consider myself an expert when it comes to these thing, because I have had so many issues with my female stuff its not even funny. First of all you shouldn't start taking the pill until your period is completely done. I don't know what your Gyno said, but it sounds to me like you need some blood work done and possibly an ultra-sound to find out whats going on. I have had numerous ovarian cysts, which cause alot of trouble with your cycle and I've also had 2 surgeries for cervical cancer. I can't take birth control of any kind any more because they increase the chances of cancer. Do you have any pain with your cycle? E-mail me any time you want because we can definatelty discuss this farther. [e-mail]. I myself have been put on hormone pills because I can go months without my period or can get it 2-3 times another month...believe me...we should talk! I look forward to hearing from you. Hope I helped a little if not I know I can help more.

Answer 4

Generally it takes up to 3 month's for your body to get use to taking birth control. At least that's what I have been told. It takes time for your body to adjust to the hormones they put in the pill. I know that some brands of birth control pills will actually cause you to stop getting a menstrual after taken for a while. So I would wait a few more months and see what happens. Hope this helps…

Answer 5

Its just your body adjusting. i had the same thing happen on my first pack of pills but it finally stopped after that my periods were regular. I'd give it a little longer, but you can always call just to make sure, I know some doctors suggest doubling up until you stop, especially if its low dose birth control.

Answer 6

Adjustment to birth control pills takes about 3 months. Within this period, spotting (light period outside your normal time) is quite normal. Some girls will even have nausea during the adjustment time.

If this persists beyond 3 months, you may have to get the dosage of your pill adjusted.

Answer 7

It's the pills, not your period. That's a nasty side-effect. I spotted for a long time. They will probably tell you to keep taking them for a few months to see if the spotting stops before they try you on something else. I had this problem with both the pill and Depo-Provera, which is the shot you get every 3 months.

Answer 8

If you just started the pill, your body has to adjust. I would call the dr to put your mind at ease, but it seems like your body is irregular to start and that on top of it getting used to a new hormone can't be easy.

Answer 9

I wouldn't be too concerned. They say if using it for birth control you should be taking it for 14 days before you consider it to be effective, so it obviously takes that long to get your hormones into whack. I'd say it's just your body adjusting to it. If it happens next month I'd be right back to the doctor, but I wouldn't be too worried for now.

Answer 10

well you are having amedical prob??? need to diagnosed ...since long presenting in terms of long cycles ...using pills is just precipitating the problem...
go to doctor!!!!!!!! asap and get prper diaagnosis...
take care