what is up??????

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2003
what is up??????
3
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 7:18pm
I just finished my 1st month of OTC lo and on the 3rd week of active pills full blown started my period. I have been on many different pills in the past and have never had this happen, maybe slight break through bleeding. Also had more cramps than I do when I'm not on the pill. I was wondering if any of you ladies have had the same experience and what your doctors have told you. My doctors nurse said that it is just my body getting use to it. I am going to school to be a RN as well, and I know that you have to give your body a chance to get use to it, but this sucks!!! I've noticed that a lot of women on this board have complained of weight gain while on it as well. Why, and is this common with it? It says low side affects.

Also have a refill for the patch as well. I have tried that for 1 month a few months back and it was great, didn't have any side affects except a longer period but it was light. What is the difference between the 2? I just didn't try it again becasue I forgot to get it filled, blah blah blah.... Just so you all know, I haven't been on anything for a few months. Don't want anyone to think that I have been swapping back and forth each month. Then that would be pretty dumb to wonder why my body is trippin'!

Thanks,

Trisha

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: tskirvin
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 9:17pm
Hi Trisha, welcome!

It's very common to have irregular bleeding when starting or changing hormonal pills or methods. It will depend on the woman's body chemistry and the hormones in the pill as to which if any side effects she experiences. You should give a pill at least 3 cycles for your body to adjust. I didn't have any side effects when starting OTC and it took 2 years on it for my libido to disappear. It took me a year to figure out it was the pill that killed my sex drive, which was when I stopped hormones entirely. But, that's just me. I hope OTC will work well for you,

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
In reply to: tskirvin
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 11:58pm
Hi-- I am working on month 3 of OTC lo-- this is the first time ever i have taken the pill of any kind -- I bleed every 3rd week-- i just skip my placebos and just use instead cups during my 3rd week-- so far no ill effects-- bleeding is alot lighter and right now im losing weight and doing well at it ( am a bit overweight and have a honeymoon cruise coming up in Jan ) My acne is almost gone-- only one pimple in a month YEAH!!!!

I hope your body gets it worked out--

Im happy with my current 21 day cycle so im not gonna change except maybe start doing 2 weeks of the white and light blue and 1 week of dark blues for my period week. Gonna try that next cycle and see how it goes. I keep forgetting to start that for the last couple of months.

Again Good Luck!

Amity

DS 9.12.00

DD 4.12.04

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2003
In reply to: tskirvin
Sat, 08-14-2004 - 1:25am
Hi,

I hear ya. The reason you may be having a period early is because OTC lo is a triphasic pill, meaning that each week of pills is a different level of hormones. The third week, your body may be adjusting to the lower level by having an early period. The patch is a monophasic type of birth control, meaning that every patch has the same exact level of hormones until you reach the last week, when you leave the patch off and have your period. So with the triphasic pill, there are more hormone shifts. There are monophasic pills available if you prefer taking the pill to the patch. Also, women report more mood swings with the triphasic type pills. So call your doc if you want to try to switch to a monophasic pill. Hope this helps, I am an RN-good luck to you with your education and becoming an RN as well!!

Shelley