Regulating my Cycle WITHOUT HBC

[wood-bine.livejournal.com]

My period has been out of control lately. As in, over the past 3 and a half months, I've had it 6 times. And it's not short or light. It starts with heavy spotting, heavy enough that I think it's a light period. That lasts a week. Then as soon as I think it's over,  the main event shows up with cramping and heavy bleeding (35+ mL in a day) and lasts 3-5 more days. This starts all over again 2 weeks later.

I am not currently taking hormonal birth control and would prefer not to. The 3 I have tried  (ortho-evra, nuva ring and yaz) caused me to gain weight, have migraines, serious mood swings, made my boobs grow and completely killed my sex drive, so much so that until a few months ago, I thought I just didn't like sex. 

So, my question: Is there anyway to get my cycle under control without hormonal birth control? I've read a few things about inducing ovulation naturally, but that's kind of the opposite of what I'm trying to do.

I do have a history of severe endometriosis and had a pretty intense surgery about a year and a half ago. As far as I can tell pain-wise, my endo has not returned. When my endo was at it's worst, my period completely stopped. 

Thank you! 

Comments

[somniumdraconae.livejournal.com]

Don't give up on all HBC just because of the three you tried. There's DOZENS of options. And the 3 you tried are pretty notorious for side effects, from what I've heard. You could try a lower-dose HBC (Yaz in particular is higher, and prone to side effects). Maybe that new one Lo-Loestrin, the 10mg one?

With endo, things can be tough. Are you following the endometriosis community? We're friendly :) but there are options to help control your cycle and symptoms and not all of them are HBC. Frequent periods, frequent spotting, heavy bleeding, lots of cramping - those are all endo symptoms. Yeah, for you maybe your period did stop when your endo was really severe, but what you're going through sounds a whole lot like mild endo right now anyway... A reproductive endocrinologist that specializes in endo would be the best doc for you to look up right now. Your insurance company or your current OBGYN should be able to help you find one.

[wood-bine.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I'll definitely check out the endo community (I can't believe I didn't join it before!) and make an appointment with my doctor. I wasn't sure if I should go to my gyno or to my endo specialist, looks like endo specialist it is.