High and Low dose Estrogen

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
High and Low dose Estrogen
6
Sun, 05-28-2006 - 8:04pm
I didn't really know who to ask about this.... I go to a clinic, and it has already closed for the summer! *panic*
I recently switched from low dose (mircette) to high dose (ortho evra 151) estrogen pills. This month, I didn't really get my period, aside from a little bit of spotting, and some of the symptoms of PMS (bad skin, headache). I was wondering if this is normal for me to skip a period after the switch. Thanks for any advice!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 05-28-2006 - 9:50pm

Hi concordia2, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Mon, 05-29-2006 - 12:26am
Actually you're right... Ortho Novum, the pill. The woman at the clinic said it is a pretty high dose, and that it is usually given to women that are close to menopause. I was just worried because my period was pretty much non-existant. Thanks so much for your help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 7:33am

If you're on Ortho Novum 1/50 (which is not prescribed too terribly often anymore), this is considered a high dose pill because it has 50 mcg of estrogen, and it doesn't contain the same estrogen as the other pills on the market, this one uses mestranol.


With a significant change in estrogen and progestin

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 11:54am
Thank you so much. You've helped me a TON. I am a dope and made another mistake I'm on Ortho Novum 135. But, I get the idea that changing pills could be the cause of my missed period. I was wondering how much I should be worried about this. I take my pills religously, and I recently had some bloodwork done, so I think my doctor would tell me if there was a problem. I also have been backing up the pill when I'm on other medicines, and taking precautions. Is there any way I can induce my period, under the circumstances that it is a new pill? I know that's weird, but I would like to see it. I've had UTIs, Yeast infections, and a stomach virus all in the first month of taking this new pill, and I would like for things to finally settle!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 05-31-2006 - 12:44pm

I think you should be fine and what you are experiencing are just side effects from switching pills. I don't think there is a satisfactory way to induce your period while on BCPs and retain your hormonal protection. You could ask your doctor about a regimen of progestin pills like Provera or Aygestin. When you stop taking those the withdrawal of progestin usually induces a withdrawal bleed, but I've never heard of that being done while taking BCPs. If you interrupt your cycle it might take longer to adjust, so if I were you I'd wait it out. I'm betting you are ok. You’ll keep in touch and let us know how you're doing, right?


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 7:21am
I agree with Jill....if you start messing around with things now, it can take you longer to get adjusted to the new pill.
Judie Cl for Birth Control