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need advice!
| Fri, 11-05-2004 - 4:13am |
I'm not really good at these things but I need help so here it goes...I'm 21 years old and I dont have regular periods at all. I started when I was 14 or so and now I get them maybe once or twice a year, if that, and when they do come they are very very light. I know this cant be good,but I get really embarassed at even the thought of going to the doctor about it. But I know I have to now because I want to get on some sort of birth control now that I'm settling into a relationship with someone. I'm over weight and read that it will cause weight gain and that has me worried and also the fact that I smoke. I dont really know what my options are here can anyone help me out? do you have to go through the whole exam to get birth control?

Sometimes women who are overweight will have irregular periods because of the body's response to the extra weight. Sometimes there are other issues lurking that won't be apparent without some attention from a gynecologist. Getting on the pill won't solve your irregular period problem, but you will have regular monthly bleeding intervals because of how the pill is taken. Why you're not ovulating more often than twice a year, if you're ovulating, will still be a mystery unless you get it checked out.
But as far as the pill goes, it doesn't always cause weight gain. Sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn't, usually weight gain is caused by either water retention, increased appetite, or on more rare occasions it can change how a woman metabolizes carbohydrates. And smoking is bad for you any way you look at it, but particularly if you want to use birth control containing estrogen. Women who smoke at any age are at a notably higher risk of developing blood clots when they take estrogen-containing birth control.
If we can help talk you through getting the exam, let us know! The Gynecology Board has a link to what to expect at your first, or some of us can share our personal experiences. The first exam is the worst because you don't know what to expect, but after a few of them you get to be a pro really quickly. They're never fun, but not what I'd characterize as bad.
Good luck!
Co-cl for Birth Control
Good luck,
Jill
Just wanted to encourage you to tell your doctor.
CL for Acne