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DrasticDreamer's avatar

Menstruation/birth control issue?

Asked by DrasticDreamer (23996points) October 23rd, 2014

A little TMI for some people, possibly, but I’ve been getting my period twice a month, off and on, for a little while now. It’s starting to drive me crazy because after I have my period the first time, I’m obviously not prepared at all for it to happen again in the same month. This time in particular, it was only about ten days between cycles.

So my question is… What the heck is going on? I’m on birth control pills that contain no sugar pills (because I have the kind of migraines that make the “normal” BC particularly unsafe for me) called Lyza (norethindrone), and I’m wondering if that might be why?

I’ve had a very light and short (3 days tops) cycle my entire life, so this baffles me. This has never happened to me before and it definitely only started happening after I started these pills, so I tried to look up side effects for what I’m taking, but I didn’t see anything about having two periods in one month.

Have any of you experienced something similar? On or off birth control?

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10 Answers

DrasticDreamer's avatar

After researching online, I’ve discovered that this BC can cause this, apparently. Good to know, I guess, but that really sucks, because it’s so annoying I don’t want to take it anymore.

SavoirFaire's avatar

My wife didn’t experience this, but she did experience the migraines. Her nurse took her off all hormonal birth control immediately after that. Her migraines were actually caused by the birth control, though. So if yours are a preexisting condition, then you might be in a different situation. In any case, my wife switched to an IUD and was very happy with it. Her periods were a little heavier, but there was no risk of sudden death and no need to keep up with a drug schedule.

Still can’t wait for Vasalgel to reach the US, though.

DrasticDreamer's avatar

@SavoirFaire Do you know if the IUD ever caused your wife to have any infections? I’ve heard a few women say they had problems with infections after an IUD. I also have endometriosis and I think someone warned me away from them for that reason, as well. I’ll research though, because I might not be remembering correctly.

And I know! I’ve been tracking Vasalgel for a long time now. I also can’t wait for it to get here. I really hope it manages to take off and that men are willing to use it.

SavoirFaire's avatar

She never got any infections, but my understanding is that IUDs are not highly recommend for people who are prone to infections. The endometriosis might also complicate matters. Obviously, this is a question for your doctor (not only am I not a medical professional, I am not your medical professional). Sorry if this turns out to be a non-starter for you.

One more reason to get Vasalgel on the US market. I know I’m willing to use it!

DrasticDreamer's avatar

@SavoirFaire No worries, thanks for taking the time to answer, regardless. I’ll talk to my doctor about my options since I’m sick of having two periods per month.

And that’s good to know. I wonder how many men, on average, would be willing.

JLeslie's avatar

Sounds like breakthrough bleeding. A stronger (more hormone) pill might work.

When I started the pill many years ago I had to switch twice until the pill I took had enough hormones to stop the breaktrhough bleeding. I was on a traditional pill, 21 days of equal hormones. I was on that for years without any problems, it was like I was taking nothing, no changes in weight, period length or heaviness, no breast changes, nothing, and then stopped taking it when I broke up with my boyfriend.

The second time I took the pill I tried the triphasal that have more hormone mid cycle, and that drug made me nutso. I hated it, but I did not have breakthrough bleeding. I switched back to my old pill after a couple of months. I’m thinking these would be really bad for migraine suffers, but that was not a problem of mine, so I don’t know much about that condition.

Have you tried an old fashion combination pill? I know some people used to take them for headaches,mwhile others got headaches while taking them. The pill you take I think is progesterone only, which doesn’t surprise me might have hormone troubles. I’m pretty sure accidental pregnancy is more likely with it also, which to me indicates they have lower hormone levels. Most doctors want to put women on the lowest hormone possible and then increase the doses if there are side effects. Some doctors will insist their first choice is the right one and will tell patients to wait three months, blah, blah. Then they will still want to try all the “newer” pills. I think the new pills must have more sales reps visiting their offices.

DrasticDreamer's avatar

@JLeslie The reason I was switched to a pill that has progesterone only is because women who suffer from migraines like I do (the kind specifically related to seeing little pin prick sized flashes of light) are more likely to experience a brain aneurysm if they take estrogen pills. Before the progesterone only pill that I’m currently on, I was on one that also contained estrogen, but then my doctor found out about my migraines and made me switch immediately – right there in the room. She wasn’t happy that no one was paying enough attention to my medical history and overlooked it.

Aside from the increased dangers of pills that contain estrogen, I also felt bat shit crazy on the ones I was previously taking before the switch. It was bad enough that even my family and friends were beginning to constantly comment on my behavior. But I would definitely like something that works for me. The unpredictable bleeding is really getting on my nerves.

JLeslie's avatar

@DrasticDreamer I absolutely believe the bat shit crazy you experienced. Each woman seems to have a pill that works best for them. For some women none of them work out. Was it a combination (estrogen and progesterone) pill that was the same dose every day? Or, one of those that changes dose mid month?

As far as health risks, I would look into it yourself if you want to try a combo pill again. Your doctor could test you for clotting factors and see if you actually have a predisposition and look at your platelet number and blood running time (not sure what they call it). Doctors rarely bother to actually analyze your personal risk. He might be focusing on one study. However, I do understand why you would wasn’t to take as little risk as possible.

If you get an IUD I would suggest getting the one without hormones.

DrasticDreamer's avatar

Yeah, the previous pills were a combination and the same dose every day. I think it must have been a really high dose of estrogen, because no other birth control pills have made me feel that unstable. I’m definitely starting to look into what my options are. As soon as I have some questions I want to bring to my doctor, I’ll make an appointment.

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