two questions

[mutt182.livejournal.com]

So my cycles average out at around 44 days, which drives me crazy, and my periods last about 4-5 days. I've tried BC pills in the past, but had to come off them as they had a HORRENDOUS impact on the bladder disease I suffer from, which is greatly affected by hormones. I keep asking my DR is she thinks I should go back on the pill because I am worried why my periods are so far apart, but she think it's nothing to worry about and that they're not that irregular, but I thought "regular" was 21-32 days, in which case it does seem like a far time apart. I drive all my DRs absolutely crazy over my cycles. I actually phoned up my DR in tears last month convinced I had uterine cancer. I'm a naturally hysterical person so I tend to need to be reassured I'm not dying a billion times before I even consider believing it.

Before the past year I used to get my periods every second week and they'd last for about 10 days a time, so it does bother me they've gone from one extreme to another. Also, this month I didn't get any "warning" discharge like I usually do before my period. I just went to the bathroom yesterday feeling normal and then as I was peeing the blood start coming out kinda fast (TMI! SORRY!) which is weird for me..but can that be "normal" too?

My 2nd question is, I've heard of a BC pill that can mimic pregnancy hormones, is there any pill that can mimic the hormone levels you get in the first few days of my period? With the bladder disease I suffer from - which is very exhausting and painful - the first few days of my period are the only times my symptoms are ever remotely bearable. What happens to your hormone levels at this time? Is there anything that can fool your body into being like that all the time..only er, without having a period every single day obviously?

Sorry, I know how dumb this might sound, you know what it's like when you have too much time to ramble on!

Comments

Go back to your doctor. Bring this post with you.

[winifred.livejournal.com]

You've asked this before. I remember your previous questions, and they were similar.

Which of your doctors are you asking about The Pill? Is it the same doctor that monitors your bladder condition? Get a second opinion. If nothing else, it will make you feel better. Most likely your doctor does not see a problem because your body is being consistent. Consistency is good. And yes, surprise gushing can be normal. If it's accompanied by heavy clotting, abdominal pain, and fever, then you can worry.

The Pill does not mimic pregnancy hormones. It mimics "I've already ovulated" hormones, thus preventing ovulation in the first place.

Like I said in the subject, take the questions you've presented here to your doctor. If you don't like your doctor's advice, go to another doctor. The advice you'll get here is anecdotal at best, and when it comes to birth control pills no two women are going to experience the exact same side effects or benefits.

Re: Go back to your doctor. Bring this post with you.

[mutt182.livejournal.com]

I've seen a few DRs and they all tell me that being irregular is nothing to worry about. Yes my same DR monitors my bladder condition, but the other DRs know about this also as I've had to see them a few times for "emergency appointments" when mine wasn't available. My DR just thinks the inflammination from my bladder might be causing my body to be sluggish, but the only real reason I'm not happy with that is because, like I said many times (sorry I'm terribly repetitive!) they used to be so close together so it's just weird they could suddenly go from one extreme to another.

I can't even get an appointment with my DR until the 21st of december, and that's just a phone appointment, the soonest in-surgery appointment I could get isn't until January! The GPs in my county are ridiculous, but I do see the most "indemand" DR there :-\ thanks for your advice, I'm sorry I know I've posted similar questions before but I hadn't worked out my cycle properly before and also wanted to ask the 2nd question lol <3

Re: Go back to your doctor. Bring this post with you.

[winifred.livejournal.com]

The anonymous post (pending) is mine. Whoops.

[lnorigb.livejournal.com]

why not an iud or the ring, why pills only?

~

[mutt182.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure they'd be any good to me as I find even tampons to be too uncomfortable..although I've never really considered or asked about them, maybe I should, I just always thought BC pills were the first option to regulate your periods without really needed to use it for Birth Control methods also. x

[lnorigb.livejournal.com]

duh! you want regulation not prevention. sometimes i read too quickly, sorry.

~

[mutt182.livejournal.com]

lol that's ok, I tend not to make myself clear!

[taldragon.livejournal.com]

IUD and the ring (and Depo) are all hormonal and therefore regulate as well as protect.

also, there are many different Pills - try a few varieties/brands, you might find one you like.

[geminigirl]

Not necessarily-progestin only methods, which include the Mirena IUD, Depo Provera and the Minipill don't regulate periods, and can actally cause more frequent irregular bleeding or spotting in some people.

[autumn-sylver.livejournal.com]

"...I thought "regular" was 21-32 days..."

The average is 21 - 32 days.
Regular is more like having the same number of days between periods. Meaning your period is always (or most of the time) 28 days apart, or 30, 31, 32, etc.

[crazykittylady.livejournal.com]

Irregular periods are often caused by stress, weight loss/gain, athletic activity, adolescence. Birth control pills will not "regulate" your cycle; you will simply have withdrawal bleeding every 21 days, mimicking a period. By irregular, I mean periods that are not consistent.

If you want a form of birth control and find birth control pills don't help because of the withdrawal bleeding, have you considered taking the pills every day without a week off every month?

Seriously, unless you're concerned about pregnancy, there's nothing for you to worry about here. (and if you are concerned about pregnancy, I would suggest you buy them in bulk for about 60 cents each and just take one every month for peace of mind) The charts that doctors have defining what "normal" is, are based on averages. And guess what, many healthy people are not average. My period has never been between 21 and 32 days apart. When i kept track of it, it was closer to 36-38 days.. and i'm healthier than most people with average periods.