Bleeding after skipped periods

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Bleeding after skipped periods
3
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 10:13pm
Ive been on BCP for over a year now. I talked to my doctor about skipping periods at my last annual. She told me to go ahead and try it, and if it didn't work, she can put me on a higher dosage pill. (I'm on Alesse right now.) It worked two times before when I skipped just one. This time I decided to try for longer, and I started spotting yesterday. Today, it's heavier, with some cramps.

I'm not worried about the bleeding or anything, I just have one pretty obvious question that I somehow forgot to ask her - Now that my uterus has overpowered the hormones, do I switch to the placebos now and start back on the actives a week later, or do I finish out this pack (I have 9 days of active pills left) and then take the placebo week? If so, will I start bleeding again on the placebos? Will any of that affect the protection of the pill?

I tried to reach my doctor and found out she has 5 expectant mothers about ready to deliver and she's been at the hospital all day.

Thanks,

Christa

PS - I'm new here, and I have to say this is a great place!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 12:22am
Hi christadraco, welcome!

1) Now that my uterus has overpowered the hormones, do I switch to the placebos now and start back on the actives a week later, or do I finish out this pack (I have 9 days of active pills left) and then take the placebo week?

This can be a common problem when trying to skip. The hormone dosage will sometimes allow skipping 1 or 2 but not more periods. You should not stop in mid pack on a 21/7 regimen pill. Finish out the actives and take the placebos, then begin your next pack.

The answer would be different if you were mid-pack on Seasonale, a 84/7 regimen pill. With Seasonale you would have enough active pills to reestablish a normal level of protection.

2) If so, will I start bleeding again on the placebos?

If you were to stop your actives in mid pack and then began again a few days later that would confuse your body and you would bleed again a second time at the end of your actives.

3) Will any of that affect the protection of the pill?

Yes, it could affect your protection. The pills were tested for effectiveness by taking 21 actives before having a pill free week. By taking 21 active pills consecutively the trials proved that women are protected from pregnancy as long as they don't go more than 7 24-hour days between active pills. By reducing the number of consecutive active pills you take it is like forgetting to take a pill or pills it will definitely reduce the effectiveness. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 9:16am
Thanks so much! I may see if she'll switch me to Seasonale if it's on my insurance list. If not, I'm limited to skipping one at a time. At least now I know what works so I shouldn't have to put up any more big orange "Random Menstruation Ahead" signs.

Thanks again for your help and fast response!

Sincerely,

Christa

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 11:48am
Hi Chrstia,

I wasn't recommending Seasonale although it might work well for you. Irregular bleeding is very common for the first 2-3 extended cycle packs when beginning Seasonale, a 84/7 extended cycle pill. My point in mentioning Seasonale was that if you are experiencing bleeding mid-pack on Seasonale you could stop for a week, to get your period, and then begin again and usually not affect your protection. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill