bleeding for 11 days now while stacking alesse

[fun-tabulous.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone! I come to you with a very annoying problem...

I've been on Alesse since Sept. 2011. The last 3 packs, I have stacked, meaning I have taken continuously, with no breaks in between. Starting the first week into the third pack, I have started bleeding, at first light spotting, gradually getting heavier and redder with clots. I thought this might go away, but I am on my 11th day now with no signs of it letting up. What should I do? Should I just stop taking it, giving myself the seven day break? If so, what then? Or should I just put up with it until the end of the pack and go on my break (I really would rather not do this, the bleeding is starting to wear me out)? In the future, should I just stack for 2 months at a time?

Thanks so much for reading and (hopefully) responding! :)

Comments

[kate-mct.livejournal.com]

What did the doctor or whoever gave them to you say?

[archangelbeth]

Sounds like your uterus has decided that it has enough uterine lining built up, it's gonna bleed some, whether the hormones are right or not. So, basically, you have two options.

1) Keep taking the pills. For some people, the uterus eventually gives up and stops spotting.

2) Take a 4 to 7 day break, showing your uterus what a real hormone drop looks like, letting it kick out the spare uterine lining -- and then go back on for at least 21 days of active pills.

In the future -- assuming you don't pick option 1 successfully -- you can decide to go 2 months of stacking at a time, or you can decide to go till you start bleeding and take a break then. (Following the 21/7 rule, of course.)


[The 21/7 rule: 21 or more days of active pills, 7 or fewer days without them = protection even during the no-hormone days.]


Good luck!

[fun-tabulous.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that is helpful!

After my break, so long as it isn't longer than seven days, once I start up again, will I be protected against pregnancy?

[agentscuiy.livejournal.com]

I used to stack Femcon FE continuously until my body decided to have a period. It was sometimes 6 months, sometimes 2. But I found that continuing to take the pills would just drag out the period. As soon as I started spotting, I'd stop taking the pills for 4 or so days, have a period, and be done with it. But like the other commenter said, make sure you're taking the active pills at least 21 days.