Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

Since you ladies are the resident experts on the female human body...

I've been on the pill for jeez, 12 years now. Started taking it at 18 to regulate my cycle.

For the past year or so, I get AF 4-6 days before my pills run out (as opposed to a few days after the last pill in the pack). This happens about 10/12 months of the year.

In my opinion, if the pill isn't regulating AF like it should... is it really protecting me from getting pregnant? (we are using back-up methods in addition to it to be on the safe side)

I mentioned this to my gyno in passing and she brushed it off with a "no, it's working fine" <I'm getting a new gyno, believe me>

If the hormones in the pill aren't good enough to stop me from getting AF early, how are they good enough to create a "fake pregnancy" (my poetic way of explaining what the pill does) and serve as protection?

Any insights would be much appreciated!

ETA: I don't mean it comes during the sugar pills. That's when it's supposed to come. It comes the week before that... usually Wed/Thurs (when the last "real" pill is on a Saturday)

Message edited 11/26/2008 1:34:14 PM.

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

when you say you are getting it 'early'....what is early?

i used to get it in the middle of the FINAL row of pills - the white ones - the fake pills....

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

Do you take the pills that have a week of reminder pills?

If so are getting AF when your taking the reminder pills?

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

No.. I'm not talking about the sugar pills... During the last row of pills with hormones in them So I guess technically there are 10-12 pills left if we include the sugar pills.

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

i am no doctor, but that doesn't sound right to me.

it could be that your body isn't responding to the hormones anymore.

i know in my case, i went on the pill when i was 18 because my cycles were very short - anywhere between 17 and 23 days. i never had a problem (no breakthrough bleeding ever), and went off BC in september 2007.

in your case, if you are considering TTC soon, i would stop all birth control and make an appointment with a NEW OB/GYN to find out if there is something going on - or if it really is nothing.

good luck!

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

Posted by headoverheels

i am no doctor, but that doesn't sound right to me.

it could be that your body isn't responding to the hormones anymore.

i know in my case, i went on the pill when i was 18 because my cycles were very short - anywhere between 17 and 23 days. i never had a problem (no breakthrough bleeding ever), and went off BC in september 2007.

in your case, if you are considering TTC soon, i would stop all birth control and make an appointment with a NEW OB/GYN to find out if there is something going on - or if it really is nothing.

good luck!

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

I'm going through something similar right now. AF actually comes later than it should opposed to coming early like it is for you. I went to my gyno b/c I have been on the pill for many years too and the past 4 months or so AF comes Friday of the placebo pill and hangs around until Wednesday of my new pack (hormone pills). My gyno said my body was "getting used" to the dose I was on and she switched me to a lower estrogen dose. Could be that your body has adapted to the brand/level of estrogen you're on.

I'd definitely see what another gyno has to say. Good luck!

Re: Not TTC (yet) but have a question about cycles..

Thanks both PPs.

My dr. told me that breakthrough bleeding is perfectly normal. Even if it is, I still doubt the pills effectiveness with the BB happening every MONTH!