Question about birth control ??

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
Question about birth control ??
10
Sun, 05-21-2006 - 1:17pm
Hey All! I used to be on the Depo shot but it never really regulated my periods. I would spot for a few days, then a few weeks later I may actually have a period for a few days, then spot again .. it just varied! It would never be on any cycle, and I hated it! So, I switched over to the pill. I have been taking Seasonel, so I haven't had a period in 2 months, I like that a lot! But I just started my white pills today, so I am expecting my period really soon. I just have a few questions ... 1.) am I supposed to start the day I start the white pills? 2.) Does my period last as long as I am taking the white pills, or could it be shorter or longer? 3.) Lets say I get my period while taking the white pills, but it ends before I am done taking them, is that a bad sign? 4.) If I dont start within the first or second day of taking the white pills, should I worry? and last ... 5.) If I am not on my period while taking the white pills (like for example, if I only have my period 4 out of the 7 days on the white pills) and I have intercourse one of those 3 days that I am not bleeding ... is the white pill still protecting me from pregnancy or should I be taking another form of birth control (like condoms) while on the white pills because they do not protect, or do they? Sorry about all the questions ... I appreciate any help!!!! Thank you so much!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 05-21-2006 - 2:31pm

Hi twin20, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
Tue, 05-23-2006 - 10:11am
hey jill -- thank you for answering all my questions, it helped a lot! i read the frequently asked questions about taking the pills correctly, and i have now began to worry myself sick! this is my first time taking birth control pills, and i am seriously bad at taking them the same time ever day! for example, one day i would take it at 9am, the next day would be 11am, then the next day would be 10ma, then the next day would be 1pm and so on ... it varied, sometimes only by an hour or two but some days it would vary by even longer, like 6 or so hours!!!! I think i only skiped one day in the past 3 months, so i could remember to take them every day ... just not the same time ever day! so i am extremely worried now!!!! im only on my 3rd day of taking the white pills, no aunt flo yet, and i know that is normal but i am still worried! do i have a reason to be worried? should i take a test? thank you for all your help, i really appreciate it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 05-23-2006 - 12:21pm

This board considers +/-2 hours of your regular pill time as being on time when taking combined, estrogen/progestin pills. More than that and some women begin to have more side effects, often bleeding issues.

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
Tue, 05-23-2006 - 9:40pm
Thanks again for your response! I really hope I have nothing to worry about .. but I feel that since I am stressing over it, I might actually be causing it to take longer to come! Which is really upsetting because this weekend I have a big event going on and wish I really didn't have aunt flo visiting! I was hoping I would get her on Monday so she would be gone by Friday, but seems like she won't be gone by then! Do you have any ideas on how to bring your period to start sooner, or bring it to an end sooner?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 05-23-2006 - 10:55pm

Once you have stopped taking active pills I don't know of anything that can force your period to begin earlier. Starting your active pills earlier will usually cause your period to stop sooner, but there is no guarantee. If Aunt Flo is visiting over the weekend you might want to consider using Instead menstrual cups www.softcup.com Instead can be worn to collect your flow and you can have intercourse with Instead inserted. While Instead isn't for everyone a lot of members who have posted about using Instead seemed to like them. Instead can be found in the feminine hygiene sections of most pharmacies.


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 7:28am

And if this is your first cycle off of Depo, you may not have a period this time around. That happens sometimes too, with as potent as the progestin in Depo is, it can take a long time to leave the body and that will affect your response to birth control pills.


Try not to panic!

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 2:07pm
I never gave much thought to the Depo having something to do with my period, but that does make sense. I was on the Deop for over a year, then switched to Seasonel ... so I have been off the Depo for over 3 months .. I didn't think it would have anything to do with my periods now, but I guess it is possible? I feel like my body is having a period though, its strange! Saturday and Sunday I had some pretty harsh cramps, Monday I had cramps as well, but they weren't as strong. I've been over eating a little, and I feel like I've gained weight (especially in the gut area) .. so I have been going to the gym a lot more lately. Lets say I take a test and it comes back negative, and I still end up not having a period for some reason ... would that be bad for my body??? I know its okay to have your period as little as 4 times a year, but if I dont have a period now and continue on Seasonel, that would put me at only 3 periods this year ... would that harm me in any way? Jill and Judie, you have no idea how much i really appreciate all your help and advice! I really feel like I can tell you guys things and I get responses back that actually help ... I tried talking to my sister and best friend about this, but they knew just about as much as me, nothing! So, its great to get feedback from you guys! Thanks a ton!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 2:55pm

If you don't have a period this time that should not be a problem. Some women go years while on Depo without having periods. If it turns out that mid-cycle during

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 7:12am

If you give your body an opportunity to have a period and it still won't do it, that's okay.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Sat, 05-27-2006 - 7:19pm
Depo could be having a big influence on whether or not you get your period.