period problems.

I have always had problems with my menstruation cycle, I was never regular and have skipped up to three months at a time. I got on birth control last July to help correct the problem and some of the symptoms I would get, fatigue, nausea, headaches, very severe lower back pain, severe mood swings. I have been on the pill for awhile now, and granted I am not always the best at remembering to take it (I may miss 2 or 3 days out of a month at most, something I am trying to correct and have gotten better about by setting an alarm on my phone and leaving myself little notes all over the place). However even though I am on the pill and have been for some time, I am still getting fatigue and severe lower back pain, headaches etc. Sometimes my period doesn't sync up like it should with the pills (I will have my cycle the week before the placebo pills although this month is synced up.) I am going to see a gynecologist over my spring break (I am overdue for my yearly exam and I recently became sexually active) should I bring this up with her? Is this anything to be concerned about or is the dosage of my birth control not high enough? Has anybody else had problems with this?

Hey Popo,

Part of the reason you might not be syncing up with the placebo pills could be because you'll miss 2or 3 days. That really does affect your cycle. I know if I miss that many, my period pretty much starts. I would definitely talk to your doctor. They might decide to try a new pill. It amazes me, but each one works a little differently and affects you in different ways. Also, make sure you're using back up protection while you're figuring all this out (I know that if I missed my period for 3 months at a time, I'd be going crazy and buying ever pregnancy test out there...)

How long is awhile anyways? It can take up to 6 months to really get in a "groove." I noticed when I switched my birth control, the symptoms I was trying to deal with would get less and less each time I got my period, though my symptoms were more emotional/craziness than physical (at least this time around... last time it was because of horrible cramps, but that was years ago and I don't remember it very well)

In the mean time, set an alarm on your phone for the exact same time every day and keep your pills with your phone. Try to take it wherever you are. That works the best for me.

Good luck!!
<huuugs>

Yes, absolutely discuss it with your gynecologist. There are different dosages, and also different types of pill, and there could be other problems.

Thanks RoRo! I started birth control in July 2010 because the gaps between my period where so bad and the pain was getting worse. I just became sexually active this month, and because of that it has brought more attention to my cycle. I actually found out the other day I can get a check up and pap smear here on campus through my student health care and they can renew my perscritpion for my birth control or perscribe me a different kind. Pain and problems with menstruation seems to run on my mom's side of the family as I found out the other night, so maybe it is a genetic trait with the women in the family.

Definitely bring this up at the appointment - that's what those doctors are for Good luck!

If you have a smart phone like me I would set an alarm. I take mine every night at the same time. I started years ago and used to miss at least 1 a month but now I could be walking dead and still remember it.

Missing them can do a number on your body (as you have discovered!). Fatigue generally comes along with PMS but if it is severe and you experience mood swings to the point where people don't want to associate with you anymore lol.....it might be PMDD. In which case I would ask about Yaz or the like.

I used to get ruptured cysts a lot and had a battle with figuring out birth control type and dosage. The higher dosage was doing a number on me and for whatever reason my body was increasing my testosterone levels and causing me to break out, gain wait and I would have a cyst rupture at least once a month. I went off bc, back on, switched brands, went up and down on dosage, dieted, change everything about my lifestyle and eventually (about 3 or 4 years later) found a program that worked for me. It takes time but be persistent. It's YOUR body and do whatever you can to have a doctor listen to you. There isn't a reason for you to feel off like this every month. Hopefully you get some help! Good luck!