38, heavy/missed/irregular periods, on BCP's since age 18

Guest · Guest

Hi, just thought maybe I could get some input here--
I'm 38 and have been on the pill pretty much nonstop since age 18. During my June menstrual cycle I had breakthrough bleeding during my 2nd week of pills. I called my gyn and I had bloodwork completed to see if I was going through perimenopause and the results showed that I was not--hormone levels were fine. Her instructions for me was to "bleed out" that week then start a new pack of pills on Sunday (I'm on Sunday start). However, that messed everything up since I was going on a backpacking trip in July and this would have my period start during backpacking. Her instructions to me then was to take my normal Microgestin 1/35 AND she added Loestrin 1/20 for just one month. Still I spotted a bit on the backpacking trip, even with the increased dosage of pills. I started my period the day after I got back from the trip and bled pretty heavily (usually my periods are light) and then started back on my usual Microgestin and had no breakthrough bleeding on the active pills. Now it's August--last week was my "period week" but I maybe had a bit of brown discharge, that's all. I took a pregnancy test just to be sure and it was negative. However, I have some bloating and a backache--which can be early signs of pregnancy. Also I have been told by co-workers who said that their hormone levels showed up fine but they were still in full perimenopause with hot flashes, etc. Anyone experienced this?
Thanks, Tricia

38, heavy/missed/irregular periods, on BCP's since age 18

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK