Brown Period?

[ellison.livejournal.com]

Hi! I hope someone out there can help me with this one. I have been on the same brand of birth control pill (estrostep fe), for about seven years now (I'm 25). I have incredibly consistent periods while on the pill. I always get them on the Tuesday night of my placebo week, so I always just put in my menstrual cup (which I've been using for about two years) and I start sometime while I'm sleeping. It's always over on Saturday morning. And the blood is always bright to dark red, but definitely, clearly red. That's how it's been for a good three years, at least.

So this cycle, I was surprised and unnerved to see a sliiiight bit of pink, some brown, and that's it. It's been super light, too. Otherwise, felt like a normal period - kind of crampy, very sleepy on Tuesday. But it's concerning me a little - it hasn't been this light in years, if ever, and has never been all brown with NO red! Has this ever happened to any of you??

Some history of what might be going on is that I recently took a long trip. Right before the trip, I had finals, so I just started a new pack to skip my period, and when my period came the next cycle, it was perfectly normal and a little tiny bit of brown was present, but otherwise, very red as usual. So at the end of the 5 week trip, I was due to get my period right when I got home, which I didn't want, so I figured there'd be no harm in skipping that period as well by starting a new packet, so that's what I did, expecting this cycle to be normal, perhaps slightly heavier. But that's not how it's turning out. And of course, I'm also slightly extra worried, because I screwed up on taking my pill regularly this month (forgot a few times and had to take it the next morning, and yes, had lots of sex this month).

Basically, should I be concerned?

I KNOW if I get my period, that I can't possibly be pregnant. The thing that's confusing me is, if it's light, and all brown, does it count as a period? Sorry if that's a horribly stupid question. It's just I don't know what "spotting" looks like with the cup, so not sure if this counts as just spotting, or just light, or what. But there was not nearly as much as volume as there usually is. Any thoughts/responses will be greatly appreciated.

blah

[miss-artiga.livejournal.com]

I know this is going to sound absurd if not redundant... but I hate cramps. I absolutely HATE them. The only thing I hate more than having cramps is having to walk around pretending it's a normal day and like my mood is just "great". Men will NEVER understand. Not ever. I suppose it isn't their fault. It's just right now all I can do is try to not consider suicide OR homicide=) but seriously f***ing OWWW!!! I'm sorry I just had to get that out and I guess this is the best place to do it. My grandmother just asked me if I was putting on weight... and I just laughed it off and said "oh I don't know gramma maybe" I felt like crying and commiting violence at the same time. ugh. I feel ugly.

birth control - skipping periods

[purrsnicketty.livejournal.com]

I know that to skip a period one needs to go on to their next pack of pills straight after finishing the last. Now for various reasons that wasn't possible this week, and I've not been able to get a new prescription for the pill until today. Let's take a look at the facts!:

- I take Microgyynynynynynnnyynynynnyn 30
- I took my last pill on Monday and would normally start taking it again next Tuesday.
- My period is due to start on Saturday.

Now my question is, if I started another pack today, would that stop/shorten my period for this month in any way at all? Yes? No? By how much? But most importantly, is it a wise idea? Will it mess my body up putting all out of wiggedy whack like that?

Thank you for your time ladies.
x