Question about Skipping/Bleeding
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| Fri, 03-24-2006 - 9:09am |
Hi, I've tried searching to find answers but it seems my situation is a little more unique.
I've been on Ovcon 35 since last August. The first week of January was supposed to be a sugar pill week, but I tried to skip it due to a special occasion. Needless to say it didn't really work and just had light bleeding for most of the month, then no period on the new sugar pill week for that month.
In february, my period came a week before my sugar pill week and lasted the entire week and was kind've heavy. This month (March) it came again, basically a week ahead of my sugar pill week and lasted a full week. My sugar pill week is this week (March 19-25th) and I had my period March 14-20. I wasn't too concerned with my period coming a week earlier since I figured it was my fault for trying to skip it, though I've never had week long periods and that was a little concerning.
Well now my next sugar pill week lands right in the middle of when I really dont want to have my period again. I assume I'll still have it a week earlier, which is still a bad time. My question is, since I'm having my period a week before the sugar pills - is there even a way to try and skip it or cause it to occur earlier?
On top of this, I lost my insurance so I'll also be starting a different type of pill starting Sunday - but I'm going from Ovcon35 to Ortho-Novum 1/35 - so these should pretty much be the same right? If they're practically the same pills (same hormones etc), will it cause any changes?
I hope this all makes sense and hopefully I can get some tips :( I know its a little last minute but I didn't realize what bad timing my period would be making next month.
Also, one last question.. can anyone tell me the typical amount of days inbetween periods? I know its 28 for the pills, but if my period isn't coming on the sugar pill weeks I was wondering if its more on its "natural" cycle and maybe the amount of time inbetween the period is different.
I'm hoping to not have it from April 12th to the 23rd
Based on this month it should occur the week of April 9-15
My sugar pill week though is supposed to be April 16-23rd

Hi cdtobehealthy, welcome!
>>I'm going from Ovcon35 to Ortho-Novum 1/35 - so these should pretty much be the same right? If they're practically the same pills (same hormones etc), will it cause any changes?<<
The formulation of the two pills is different. Ovcon 35 has: 0.4 mg NE, 35 mcg EE while
Ortho Novum 1/35 has: 1mg NE, 35 mcg EE. The two pills do have the same type of progestin and the same type and amount of estrogen, however the amount of progestin in Ortho Novum 1/35 is 2.5 times greater than is in Ovcon35. I think that should make a considerable difference if your late cycle bleeding is because there wasn’t enough progestin in Ovcon to hold the lining of your uterus stable for the entire 21 days of active pills.
>>can anyone tell me the typical amount of days inbetween periods? I know its 28 for the pills, but if my period isn't coming on the sugar pill weeks I was wondering if its more on its "natural" cycle and maybe the amount of time inbetween the period is different.<<
The typical or average natural cycle length is about 28 days but since we are all different I think the ‘normal’ length can range from the low 20s to perhaps the mid 40s or perhaps longer depending on what is normal for a particular woman. If you think back to what your cycles were like before starting BCPs that would be your best indication of what is typical for you. Having said that, your cycle should now be under control of the hormones in your pills and if it is not the reason is either that the pills aren’t being used correctly or the types and amounts of hormones in the pill aren’t right for your unique body chemistry.
There can be side effects when beginning a new pill but having the same types of hormones may decrease the likelihood of them being severe and, in theory, the additional progestin should help with your late cycle bleeding. The only way to know how you will do is to try Ortho Novum 1/35 and see. Just in case things don’t go as well as you hope they will during your vacation you might want to take along some Instead www.softcup.com menstrual cups. Instead can be used to collect your flow and can be used during intercourse. You can find Instead in the feminine hygiene sections of most pharmacies.
Thanks for posting. If you have more questions please ask. Please come back and let us know how Ortho Novum 1/35 works for you.
Good luck,
Jill
Thank you so much :) So since they're even just a little bit different, should I be taking back up birth control just incase for the first month or so from when I start the new pills? Or since they're so similar should I be okay?
Again thank you so much, I didn't even realize they had different amounts of the hormone levels in them!
Hi cdtobehealthy, welcome back!
If you took your last pack of pills correctly and have gone no more than 7 24-hour days between the last active pill in the old pack and the first active pill in the new pack then you should be protected and no back-up should be necessary. But, when switching pills some women use back-up for at least 7 days just for peace of mind. Back-up never hurts, right? It's up to you.
Thanks for stopping back by. Let us know what you decide and how the new pill works for you, ok?
Good luck,
Jill