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[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what to make of this situation, my doctor didn't either... I'm 13 days into a new pill pack, haven't been late taking any of them, and I'm still bleeding. I've been bleeding for almost 20 days straight now. This was distressing enough. My doctor told me to just keep eating well until my appointment next week and if I start to feel funny in any way I'm to go to the hospital and have my blood sugar checked. Now there's another thing, my period has always been very red, like blood. Over time whatever this is had become the consistency of dirty motor oil. It slowed down to a slight trickle last night and had almost stopped this morning. So, I had sex (used protection since God only knows if my pills are going to do it) and now I'm back to a heavy bleeding, but it's blood red now. I'm cramping like it's my period again, too. This wasn't happening when it was brown. I was just wondering if something like this has ever happened to anyone else. I'm going in for an exam in few days, but I'd like to set my mind at ease at least a little. And if it matters I have endometriosis and a history of ovarian cysts.

Comments

[erleichda.livejournal.com]

You have a history of Ovarian Cysts- do you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? There's a lot of different manifestations of this but it usually involves low estrogen levels or high testosterone levels and when this happens not every pill is strong enough to stop your period. I should know since I most recently had my period for 5 months non stop and I'm on the pill.

I finally got put on a higher dosage pill, but if you and your doctor have not discussed PCOS in the past, do so at your upcoming exam. It's not the only possibility though.

Also, having sex at the "end" of your period often induces more bleeding. You're not really bleeding anymore, but your uterus is contracting and expelling all the leftovers that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

While I talk a lot about PCOS, it's only one possibility. This often happens if someone becomes pregnant unknowingly and then miscarries early. And I'm sure there's other stuff too. It's very, VERY good that you're going to see a doctor.

[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

We have discussed PCOS, my hormone levels aren't crazy enough for him to suspect that, and for the past 4 years the pills I'm currently taking have been enough to counteract it. I joined a few commmunities to learn more about PCOS and I'll mention it to him during my exam. Thank you for our help.

[flighted-faerie.livejournal.com]

the same thing happened to me when i was on depo. but i ended up bleeding for the entire length of the shot-- three months. when i switched back to ortho tri-cyclen, the bleeding stopped almost immediately. however, on occasion this will happen with my ortho, also when i don't miss a single pill. and the red to brown thing usually happens to me, too. i have no advice as to why it happens, though.. just thought i would let you know i've had similar experiences.

[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

Thanks, it makes me feel better that I don't just have a freakish body.

[lemonly.livejournal.com]

did you recently change the type of pill you were taking? i'm not on hormonal bc, but a friend of mine went on the patch and bled for 3 weeks straight, she had to stop the patch and start taking bc pills in order to stop the bleeding. it sounds like you might not be on the right dosage of hormones, however, if this is something that only recently started without any changes in pill or such, then i'm not sure. good luck with your doctor appt :).

[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't changed pills in years. This might be some little fluke brought on by stress or something else silly. Or maybe my body changed and the hormone dosage was disrupted. I'll know soon enough. I'll keep everybody posted.

[rkt.livejournal.com]

i think it was when i was trying loestrin that i bled for almost 3 months straight. and felt i had motor oil for blood through out my whole body. and it looked like it too coming out.
(i wasn't in anyway, shape, or form sexually active at the time.)
my doctor told me it was a "normal" side effect. and i should just suck it up and keep bleeding my little brains out.
i went off the pill and eventually recovered.

i think she was also the doctor who told me that "all" bcps would affect me the same way, though.

i havent had much luck in the area of bcps and doctors.

[erleichda.livejournal.com]

That is not true!!!!

Not only are there several different levels and combinations of hormones, but there are different forms of hormones. For example, I've been on three different kinds of estrogen even though they were all at the same level and they had different effects!

Yes, for a lot of people the pill is an easy fix, something they can take and not think about. But for a growing minority experimentation on the pill is neccessary.

You should find a new doctor and keep track of different side effects you have on different pills, it will help to make a more educated decision about pills in the future.

Stupid Doctors make me so mad!!!!

[rkt.livejournal.com]

i know that's not true.

ive tried 3 different times and 3 different horrible side effects. i have yet to find a supportive doctor who actually knows her (or i guess his) shit.

the last time, i ended up with vile migraines on mircette. (i have a history of migraines.)

right now, i'm in a resignation sans bcp stage. the side effects tend to linger for awhile. i went off them in march and im only now getting the rest of my sex drive back.
grrrr.

[erleichda.livejournal.com]

Does estrogen make your blood pressure go up? That would explain why mircette gave you migraines since they're usually triggered by the tiny bllod vessels in your brain.

I'm sorry, that sucks. If you can go without the pill that may be the best option for you. I have awful side effects WITHOUT the pill, I need it to be "normal" so I understand (really and truly) how annoying all the different little reactions to each damn pill are.

[rkt.livejournal.com]

my blood pressure's normally on the low side.
i dont think they make it go up.
i have a history of migraines even without the pill. for me, they just made me a million more times sensitive to getting them.

again, if i ever manage to find a really good doctor, i'll try again.
sorry to hear about your own struggles.

[crankygirlie.livejournal.com]

Stupid Doctors make me so mad!!!!

And there are just so many of them. :P
I had basically the same experience (as the parent post). I've seen more asshole doctors than nice ones. No one's bothered to ever try to help me with BC options. Ever. I have had to take care of it all myself, and it ruined my life. :P

Now I've got an IUD and feel much better.

[erleichda.livejournal.com]

I lucked out and have an AWESOME obgyn who helped me to figure out all the little idiosyncracies every other doctor overlooked. But it still takes time, after seeing her for a year we're only finally getting things under control.

I freely recommend her to anyone in Los Angeles.

[crankygirlie.livejournal.com]

:( Too bad I am in Seattle. I've given up on all western doctors, especially after enduring the shit that has been going on with my grandfather's almost-two-week-long hospital stay.

Not. happy. with western doctors.

[childishdreams.livejournal.com]

I love my doctor too! He is seriously the best OBGYN I have ever been to!

[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

I also love my doctor. All of his exams start in his office for a Q & A, then you go into the exam room for the actual medical stuff, then back in his office for any more questions. It's so much better then sitting half naked trying to ask/answer questions while you're freezing cold.

[le-stutter.livejournal.com]

I would stop taking them. Seems like you arent on the right dosage for your body. I had to go down to Ortho Low because the patch did weird things to me. Make sure to drink a lot of water and take a vitamin!!!!

[erleichda.livejournal.com]

Don't stop takig your pills mid pack without consulting your doctor first. If you have to change pills or go off them completely it's easier for your body to adjust if you do it after your "period" break.

[katlynel.livejournal.com]

How long have you been on the Pill? Has it been this same pill the whole time? What Pilla re you on?

[womanthatrains.livejournal.com]

I'm on Desogen, I've been on this actual brand for almost 3 years, I took it's brand name counterpart (which I can't think of right now) for about a year before that. And I haven't taken any medications that would affect it.