The pill wreaking havoc on my period?

[Lindsey]

I got into my first real relationship in October and got myself on birth control shortly after.. I'm currently on my first period since starting the pill and it's hell! Usually I barely notice my periods, I don't have pain or any problems. This period is lighter than mine usually are, but I've got stabby cramps and a sick stomach and I feel useless and unproductive because all I want to do is lie in bed.

I'll go back to the doctor if this ends up being a major problem for me, but has anyone else had issues like this starting birth control? I've never been on the pill before but I thought it was supposed to make your periods easier, not worse.

[TawnyMyst]

I know when I first started taking the pill it was because my period was bad, heavy cramping, long, lots of bleeding, and on no type of regular schedule. The doctor warned me that it would take 3 - 6 months to even out and it did. I also had to try three types of pills before they settled on one. The first couple of months my period was way worse than without the pill but it did eventually settle down.

My advice is to talk to your doctor, the brand you are on may not be the right one for you. You also may have to give it a few months to settle out.

[MaggieTheCat]

Yeah, not all pills are the same, so the one you're on right now might not be for you. Currently I'm taking Yaz, which I've heard a lot of negative things about, but it works great for me. My periods are short and light and I do still get some cramps, but they're much less severe than they used to be. But I've read stories of women who have terrible mood swings or other negative side effects with Yaz. Definitely talk to your doctor about trying a different brand.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

I can only offer my sympathies, as I have only my hormones to deal with (I even take efforts to not use plastic etc). I recommend becoming well-hydrated, as it is good for anyone not prone to sudden drowning, and when I manage to be well-hydrated the entire month(ish), my periods are beautiful. But, that's slowly changing, and naproxen always works if I catch my dear Auntie in time. If It gets its' claws around me, I'm down for the count. Otherwise, three or four pills for one or two days, and I'm done. (aside from the sanitary napkins, natch.) Hot things like heating pads, Bed Buddies, overly-warm boyfriends, hot bath, the like, work too-- I find that my upper thighs (usually the tops rather than the sides or bottoms), and my lower back below my kidneys are the best place to position the heat, even though it's right above my bladder/(where you would think it would hurt) that feels like it 'hurts.' Pain is fun. (not.)
I've also noticed that if I remember to take my vitamins/health supplements (fish oil, etc) my periods aren't as icky in the process, like fewer clots, more regular flow, reasonable scent (it's blood after all, not... something else!)... you get the idea. <--- possibly tmi alert. You know what to (not?) do.
You might not want new medications to mess with your blood/pressure, so I'd stick with stuff like making sure your body has all its' raw materials, which is good anyway. Also, some people have issues with dairy or wheat or whatnot that make just that special-time worse. Like zombiequeen, I believe...
EDIT: ginger. Ginger is a miracle, straight from $DEITY. Ginger in any form that is actual ginger is excellent for nausea. (also, I totally spelled nausea right the first try, +1 English Nerd Point). Just... don't eat too much of it, or your stomach will overheat like it has heartburn!

[trailerparkmedic]

When did you start the pack--right after your normal period, in the middle of the month, right before your normal period? If you started right before your normal period (and therefore skipped it), that could explain the extra ickyness, and I'd wait and see what happens next month. Otherwise, if you're unhappy, talk to your doctor. With so many birth control options, there's no reason to be stuck with something that makes you feel gross.

If you do change your prescription, don't forget to talk to your doctor about when it is and isn't effective, since I think (not 100% sure) that changing drugs and/or doses may make you fertile for a short time. And yay you for being responsible!

[zombiequeen]

I heard myself being mentioned, so I thought I'd drop in.
Yeah, I kept a diary of all the ickiness and such that my pills caused, and talked to my doctor. She switched me to the pills I was on last year, and I can now have soy again without dying. I was on Ocella, and it made my lactose intolerance so much worse, I'd need like 10 lactaid for a half-cup of dairy. Plus I was becoming soy-intolerant. It also was causing scary amounts of blood clotting, and the doctor decided I was in the wrong risk group for those brand.
My pills I'm back on are a lower dosage, so of course...I'm at higher risk of becoming pregnant, but I'm also able to walk and I'm not cramped up all month.
One thing the doctor said though, was red meat is a trigger for worse symptoms. Too much iron and protein together too close to the start of your period sometimes makes the nastiness worse...or it can make you so sick the first few days you cannot eat. I've changed to just making sure I get iron (COCO wheats for the win!) the day before I'm supposed to start and the first day of...but then again that's basically all I can keep down my whole period. I also take Vitamin E now three days before my period and the first three days of it, it's supposed to help with the pain. Add to that a heated corn-bag, cuddles from hubby, and lots of Ibuprofen, and I'm able to survive and not die.

I definitely recommend keeping a diary or list of what days you feel worse, what you ate, and what time you take your pills. Show it to your doctor, and ask them about it. It sounds like you are just getting used to the pills, but it's always good to find out what you need. Thank you for being responsible and good luck!

[trailerparkmedic]

My pills I'm back on are a lower dosage, so of course...I'm at higher risk of becoming pregnant,

Low dose pills mean that you need to be very careful about taking your pill at the same time each day (I vary by a couple of hours and *knock on wood* they work fine) and if you totally miss a dose you need to use backup for the rest of the month. Other than that, they are essentially as effective as regular dose pills.

I've been studying for my pharmacology exam all weeken, so I've got drugs on the brain.

[fma_fanatic]

I'm on Micronor and have been for quite a few years. It's the only pill I've been able to take that doesn't involve me curling up in the fetal position every month begging for someone to kill me because of the pain of cramps. Multiphastic pills did no good for me and actually made my periods worse.

I would definitely go back to your doctor if your periods are still bothering you and you have problems. I think I went through a few different pills until my doctor finally got me on Micronor.

[zombiequeen]

Low dose pills mean that you need to be very careful about taking your pill at the same time each day (I vary by a couple of hours and *knock on wood* they work fine) and if you totally miss a dose you need to use backup for the rest of the month. Other than that, they are essentially as effective as regular dose pills.

I've been studying for my pharmacology exam all weeken, so I've got drugs on the brain.

Yeah, I try my hardest to take it within a one-hour timeframe every day. Generally it's the same time. Although I generally am careful either way...don't need to make a mistake with something like birth control.

[CaroPhoenix]

Be thankful you're not like me: between my possible PCOS and my pre-diabetic condition, I ended up having no periods for the 5 years I was on Yaz. My gyno wasn't too surprised. Coupled with my weight, the reason for them not coming could have been: I was too fat for my body to function properly, my PCOS (which I have all symptoms, but my ovaries are really good looking - should be in an anatomy book ) was causing my body to skip my periods, or I had developed a sort of reaction to the pills that caused my body to stop responding properly.

Since being put on Metformin, I've had a period every month. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but at least my body is acting "normally"?

[jedimaster91]

I was on Loestrin24 for a couple years. The first month was horrible with the constant spotting and horrible nausea. Then I figured out taking them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach wasn't such a good idea. I switched to taking them right before bed after I'd eaten dinner and things evened out.

It does take a little while for your body to adjust to the pill. Definitely keep track of how you're feeling and keep your doc in the loop like others have said, but don't freak out just yet.

[CaroPhoenix]

Yes, yes yes! Keep your doctor informed. He/she might shrug it off, and say "that's normal for people on this type of pill for the first few months" or whatever. But you know your body better than anyone else.

[Seshat]

Don't let a doctor shrug it off if it doesn't sort out after your fourth period with the new pill, though.

[kpzra]

When I first started taking BC pills I was on on that didn't "take over" my periods, causing me to have two a month,then I was on Yasmin, which was horrible. It caused BAD back cramps and eventually blood clots in my lungs. I used Ortho TriCyclin after that and liked it but had to stop when my insurance ran out. After my bebe was born I had the Implanon implant put in since I'm nursing. I'd say give it 2 month, then talk to your doctor if it doesn't get better. If your doctor won't listen, find another one who will. I had to do that when they just wanted to refill the Yasmin and I REFUSE to take it again.

[Eisa]

Yeah, not all pills are the same, so the one you're on right now might not be for you. Currently I'm taking Yaz, which I've heard a lot of negative things about, but it works great for me. My periods are short and light and I do still get some cramps, but they're much less severe than they used to be. But I've read stories of women who have terrible mood swings or other negative side effects with Yaz. Definitely talk to your doctor about trying a different brand.

Hey, me, too! And it was funny how my gyn told me that it would take 3-4 months for it to really work, and don't expect any miracles...I mean, my hormones were all over the place, I felt all up and down mood-wise, my periods were HORRIBLE, kept bleeding at the wrong times...everything.

Within the WEEK, I felt better. Like...instantaneous transformation. I love Yaz. *loves on it*

Although I think that's really, really atypical and yeah, you're supposed to give it a few months. If the side effects get REALLY bad or it's not working then, doctor time for sure.