Hi Ashley,

Firstly thanks for your advice on my issue, it was really nice to hear from someone.

Okay now, I'm coming from a position of relatively little information. Only what I can remember from uni, a bit on the net and from what I've experianced.

Okay so Loestrin is a type of Norethisterone, which works the same way as Progestogens.

From the Australian Medical Handbook (there is a website on the net - AMH)
When used as contraceptives, progestogens thicken cervical mucus to impede the passage of sperm and change endometrium reducing the potential for implantation. They act on hypothalamus and suppress pituitary LH surge and may inhibit ovulation.

Now on that website they list the potential side effects of the drug:

Common: menstrual irregularity, prolonged bleeding, spotting, amenorrhoea, breast tenderness, depression, acne, weight changes

Infrequent: nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, lethargy.

These things seem to match what you are experiancing.



However, did the doctor tell you to wait untill after you had finished a week of the active pills before becoming sexually active? He should have. Because the way that the pill works is that by taking it every day you are sort of topping up your dose in you body. But it can take about a week to get to that dose when you first start. So that's why he would have said to wait a bit.



Regarding you period. When I first started my pill, my period changed and hasn't really reverted back to "normal." Usually it takes my period about 3 days to come after switching to the sugar pills (probably red on your packet).



Also I assume that the hpc's that you did were pregnancy tests. They check for the presence of hCG (type of protein) in the blood as a result of being pregnant. These protein may not appear in the blood immediately after fertilisation.


However, I strongly suggest that you go back to your doctor, who prescribed you the pill, tell him what you've experianced and tell him about being sexually active during that early time period and ask him whether you could be pregnant. If you don't feel satisfied with his answers get another doctor, there is nothing wrong with being concerned or wanting to be extra-sure!



I wish you all the best of luck and hope that everything turns out okay.



Keep me posted on the developments, Elspeth