Oral contraceptive question

[EndoRN]

Hope this is the right forum.

I'm on Alesse, taking EXACTLY as directed. Haven't missed a single pill.

Well, last month (April) I started my period the beginning of week 3 of the pills, instead of wk 4 (the "off" week). I kept taking the pills til the end of the week, as directed, even though I was obviously having a period (not just spotting). But instead of taking the next week off, I started a new pack. I am SO afraid of getting pregnant!! (I have four kids!)

So I took the whole pack. Last week was my week off for May and NO PERIOD!! I took a pregnancy test at work and it was neg.

I started a new pack this past Sunday, as directed, even though no period.

What should I do?? I'm afraid of getting pregnant. I'm afraid that maybe I am pregnant (maybe it was too early for the test at work to pick it up) and the pills could cause birth defects. (I also take ambien, what could that do?)

I'm just really worried and not sure what I should do. My husband is scheduled for a vas next month. Wouldn't it just figure that we may have an accident, now ?!

It seems unlikely, though, that I could be pregnant.

Feedback, please !!

Amy :)

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Well, my usual experience is with post partums, and they're always bleeding, but I'll take a stab at this.

My personal experience with pills is that when starting new ones (or switching to another kind) all bets are off in terms of the occurrence, amount, and duration of bleeding. It usually takes several months to regulate. You probably should have taken the pills as prescribed (not skipping the "off week" to start a new pack). Starting a new pack too soon is probably what has caused you to miss this period.

I knew a girl in high school who had it figured that she would be on her period for prom. Well, she intended to get some action that night, and someone told her that doubling up on pills would cause her to skip that period. If this is indeed true, it could be a similar thing with you.

FYI, I don't know if she actually missed that period, but the boy dumped her that night anyways

Keep us posted!

Heather

[shay]

I have personal experience in this department...with Alesse, that is, and funky periods.

I skipped my period for a whole month....I should've just bought stock in OTC pregnancy tests that month, we would be millionaires today...lol! Anyway, my midwife told me then that Alesse is a 'weaker' pill in either the progesterone or estrogen side...can't remember which...and makes those who take it prone to irregular bleeding sometimes. Also makes you prone to skipping periods.

SO.....I agree w/Heather in that being pp makes your hormone balance whacko from the get go, which could most certainly contribute to your freaky periods. However, I feel that it's more due to the Alesse than mother nature. I'd ask your doctor.

Oh, yeah, and take a pregnancy test....btw, the most effective (i.e., sensitive) otc pregnancy test is (drumroll...) CVS brand. Next up is Wal-Mart brand. Yep. Floored me too. First response and ETP are the least sensitive. Okay, so I was more than neurotic when I thought I was pg...I went so far as to research which test was the most sensitive. Sue me and pass the prozac.....

[wsiab]

Is this a new pill for you, it also may not be effective for you. Let your doc/np know that you are having irregular bleeding on it. Try another pregnancy test next week if no period yet. You might want to try condoms or another form of birth control for the month to use as back up, in addition to the pill, if you aren't sure the pill is working, just to be safe.

[nursechar]

Depending on how long you've been taking the pill may be to blame for your not having a period. Many times after a woman has been on the pill for a while, her endometrial lining does not build up enough to have anything to shed(a period). As long as you are taking your pills as directed and have not been on any antibiotics recently, your odds of being pregnant are pretty slim. If in doubt, ask your provider to run a blood pregnancy. Good luck.

[EndoRN]

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate all the replies. :)

I've been on the pill on and off since I was 16. I have been on the Alesse for about three years.

I did take another preg. test at work. Still negative!! :) And I haven't had unprotected sex (can I say SEX on here??? ) since the first preg test. So I'm sure I'm not. AND my husband is scheduled for a vas June 12th. No more scares for us, thank you!! With four kids I think we've made our contribution and then some.

Thanks again!

Amy :)

[pkmom]

I had the exact same thing happen to me with that same pill except I'm a week behind you I think. Took a pg test wednesday and it was negative. Gonna start the new pack on sunday. So are you guys saying I should ask for a higher dose pill?

[shay]

I personally felt I had to switch pill prescriptions because that whole missed period thing was just too much for me. However, my midwife didn't seem to think it was a big deal and only switched my rx per my request. It's a personal thing. Stay w/alesse if you feel comfortable, it is a good rx in general. Your body may settle out and stop all the spotting and skipping after a while. If it really bugs you, though, I switched to ortho tri-cyclen and have been pretty happy with it.

[pkmom]

thanks shay