A Question For The Ladies Regarding Periods...

[booscaredu 0]

I was banded on 9/23/11 and have lost 50lbs so far. My surgeon made me sign a paper saying that I would not get pregnant for at least two years after the surgery and I decided that I needed to go back on the pill anyway, so I started back on the pill in October 2011. Everything seemed great the first month or two...lighter periods, less days of a period...all the perks of taking the pill. Then the irregularities started. I was starting my period days to weeks before I was done with the active pills. I initially called the nurses line at the gyno and she said to give it another month and see what happens. Called again the next month with the same issue and got the same answer. I finally went back to the gyno in February and she suggested switching the pill and also starting me in the middle of the week instead of being a sunday starter day as I had always been previously. This time she put me on Loestrin24. It seemed ok for the first two months with starting only with one or two active pills left. Last month, I had 5 active pills left and I called and insisted that they do some form of hormone testing because I feel like something is wrong with this, so they sent me for some blood work. They called me a couple of days later and left me a voicemail saying "All the testing was normal, have a nice day." I feel like they don't care that this is going on and that I'm bothering them, even though having two week periods is bothering me. Because I continue taking the packs as expected and it continues on through the non-active pills. This month I started with six active pills left and I didn't even bother to call because I know they're just going to tell me nothing is wrong with me again. I've discussed this with the PA at my surgeon's office and she said this could be normal. I think what bothers me so much is that I've ALWAYS been like clockwork - on the pill or off the pill. Has anyone had any experience with this as well, or any advice or something to look for that could be wrong? Thanks.

[SageTracey 608]

A lot of us have experienced irregularity as a result of weight loss but yours sounds much more than normal, especially as it should be regulated by the pill. If I was you, I would be insisting on further investigation. Don't take no for an answer, you know your body and you must stand up for your health, even if it means changing doctors.

Good luck.

[booscaredu 0]

Thank you. I feel the same way and I hate that I feel like I'm "bothering" them when I call. Thanks for validating that I'm not crazy. LOL

[apeabody88 7]

The only hormone I'd make sure gets checked out is your thyroid. FSH, LH etc. isn't going to tell you anything. A sono to look at the endometrial lining would be reasonable too.

Weight loss can muck up your periods, as can the physical stress of surgery. Are you on other meds? Can they be interfering with your OCPs?

It does sound like you need to change pills... however remember that you need at least three months on a particular pill to have your body adjust. You might need a higher dose of a monophasic pill rather than Loestrin which is very low dose. Consider other options besides the pill and make sure you are using condoms for back up!

Regardless... you are not bothering your gyn and have a right to have a contraception option you are happy with!

[goddesscordelia 30]

This is an area where traditional medicine just sucks. My holistic chiro really helped me with hormonal craziness. You also may need to go off the pill and use condoms- that is what I did- Migraines for me. Fat stores estrogen- so you get flooded as you lose. Don't give up- at the very least find a new doc.

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

[honk 780]

First six months or so I had a period like every 20 days; month 4 I had two periods. Almost 2 years out I am more regular. I also was like clockwork. I'm more regular now but can be off by up to 5 days. I wonder if Mirena (sp?) might be a good option for you?