Will this get better?
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| Sat, 03-18-2006 - 4:25pm |
I am on the last week of my first cycle taking my new pill, Levlen. This is my first time on a pill, I used Depo-Provera for 5 years, then the patch for a year, and then the ring for 6 months.
My period started on Tuesday, and the flow has been VERY light, but I have had terrible headaches and cramps since it started. It just seems like considering how horrible I feel, my flow should be heavier than it is.
Has this happened to anyone else? Did it get better?
I'm also wondering how long this will last, I start taking a new pack tomorrow (Sunday), so the hormones will be back in my system, which usually made my period stop by Monday on the patch and ring. My pills are a lower dose than those methods, so I don't know if the same thing will happen. I really hope I don't end up having my period for a full week all the time.
Any input is appreciated.

Hi xxhappiestgirlxx, welcome!
When starting or changing hormonal contraceptives you can have side effects for the first three or so cycles as your body adjusts to the new hormones. Side effects may be particularly pronounced for some women when switching from Depo to a combined (estrogen/progestin) method because Depo had shut down your ovaries which produce most of your natural estrogen.
Your headaches may be from estrogen withdrawal during your hormone free week and very light periods can be normal on a pill with a small amount of estrogen in relation to the progestin in it. You should see the side effects lessening during your second cycle and probably disappearing during the third cycle if Levlen is right for you.
Actually, Levlen has 30mcg of estrogen while Ortho-Evra has 20mcg (although because it is absorbed transdermally it has the effect of far more) and NuvaRing has only 15mcg of estrogen. There are different progestins in the patch and ring so you may experience a much different period on Levlen than with the other two.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are feeling much better soon. If you have more questions, ask away. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill