A while ago I started having irregular periods due to stress, and the last one even came a week after the one before. My doctor put me on Alesse to regulate me again. (It wasn't generic Alesse, which seems to give my doctor problems ... she gave me a card to give to the pharmacist for the real thing)
During my first month on it, I had break-through bleeding (Alesse is low dose, so this was expected) for a week before my period, but it was on time. It lasted a couple days longer than a week. Otherwise, it was like a normal period. The next month, it was on time with only a bit of break-through bleeding the day before. I think it lasted a day longer than the prescribed week. It was lighter than the month before, but still like a normal period.
This month my period came two days late, but I suspected that's because I was stressed out again. It's a normal period, the flow is light enough to warrant using pads and tampons for regular to light flows. I still get some of the cramps I used to get (which used to be excruciating, they are getting better) and I still seem to be a bit emotional.
Thats a lot of information to take in, and I apologize! But I wanted to know, if birth control is supposed to give you "fake periods" why do mine still seem like normal ones, and get lighter slowly?
I saw my doctor last week, and I didn't think of bringing this up then because I was having a pap test + quick physical and she said everything looked fine. But I wanted to know if I should wait it out, or go see my doctor again.
During my first month on it, I had break-through bleeding (Alesse is low dose, so this was expected) for a week before my period, but it was on time. It lasted a couple days longer than a week. Otherwise, it was like a normal period. The next month, it was on time with only a bit of break-through bleeding the day before. I think it lasted a day longer than the prescribed week. It was lighter than the month before, but still like a normal period.
This month my period came two days late, but I suspected that's because I was stressed out again. It's a normal period, the flow is light enough to warrant using pads and tampons for regular to light flows. I still get some of the cramps I used to get (which used to be excruciating, they are getting better) and I still seem to be a bit emotional.
Thats a lot of information to take in, and I apologize! But I wanted to know, if birth control is supposed to give you "fake periods" why do mine still seem like normal ones, and get lighter slowly?
I saw my doctor last week, and I didn't think of bringing this up then because I was having a pap test + quick physical and she said everything looked fine. But I wanted to know if I should wait it out, or go see my doctor again.
If you have any concern at all, I would contact your doctor immediately. At least phone, and let him/her know what is on your mind. So often, women assume what they go through is just normal, or they do not want to complain, so they just endure. Some of those are the same women who find out they have some sort of reproductive organ cancer, or something of the kind. No harm in asking!!!
There isn't anything I am particularly concerned about. I just wanted to know if my birth control is working how it's supposed to, based on the things I have described.
From my own experience, i would say your right where your supposed to be. As you get further into your regimen, you will pretty much be able to calculate to the day your period will show up. Your system will get used to the bc and everything will begin to run smoothly. Eventually you probably won't even get a twing of a cramp. I used to get them so bad i would have to stay home from work and remember sitting on the heater in the fetal position. I would pass enormous clots and my flow was ridiculously heavy and sometimes my period would last for a good 8 or 9 days. The pill was a blessing and what a relief. I did not have any where near what i had experienced before and eventually i didn't even know i had started my period until i had to go to the bathroom.
I say give it a bit longer and i betcha things will taper off and become increasingly easier for you.
I say give it a bit longer and i betcha things will taper off and become increasingly easier for you.
I feel for you! My cramps used to be crippling.
Your response is very comforting! It seems to be getting better just after the first day of bleeding.
Thanks so much! :)
Your response is very comforting! It seems to be getting better just after the first day of bleeding.
Thanks so much! :)
You are certainly welcome :-D