Sensitive subject/female question?

[Deedlbugg]

I don't know what board to post this on other than this one so here goes...:blush: <clearing throat>...
Do any of you ever try to somehow manipulate your cycle to avoid having
to deal with *it* at Disney?? I know it sounds kinda dumb, but I have some major cramping then and not to mention bathroon trips, flight issues, just YUCK!! If you do, how do you do it? Could a few birth control pills alter a cycle? I realize even as I write this that it may seem like an outrageous question, but I've gotta take the chance in case someone here has a brilliant answer!!
:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:

[LegoMom3]

.... Could a few birth control pills alter a cycle? ...


If you're not already on them, start them so that "the" week doesn't fall during your trip. Pretty easy to manipulate. If you already take them, I guess I'd just ask your doctor if they can be adjusted somehow to work as you want. I can totally understand!!!!!! ;)

[wilma-bride]

I am on the pill and I usually take it right through so I don't have to worry about it while on holiday :) I don't know about the US but here in the UK you can get some tablets from the doctor which 'stop' it from arriving - I took them just before my wedding a couple of years ago :thumbsup2

[3princesses4us]

I did it last September by starting my next month's set of pills instead of taking my placebos. (It was our 10th anniversary trip and we went with no kids!) It worked fine but I will warn you that I was tired and more emotional (weepy) that month. Not positive it was caused by that, but it's certainly possible that playing around with your cycle can cause mood swings.

[irishbosoxfan]

This was actually something i've done--i hadnt seen my hubby for so long and when we were going to finally be together i was due to have my menses so i made an appt with my ob/gyn he was very sympathetic and changed my birth control for that month and even gave me free samples so i wouldnt have to pay for the pills I was a bit blah for a few days but it worked out fine--just make sure you make an appt w/your doc so he/she knows whats up and they can actually give you something that is best for what you need it for and the length of time you need it for

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Thank you for posting this question. I was thinking about the exact same thing this morning, but had no idea who to ask. It's never too early to start planning the timing to have a perfect vacation.

[katiesmom2]

I know exactly how you feel. I thought my period would be due exactly when we'd be in DW in March, but this month's period is so late coming that it should arrive after our trip now. I am so relieved! It certainly is problematic if it comes during your trip.

If you are already on the pill, you can skip the placebo pills and go right to your next pack.

As a PP said, if you aren't already on the pill, start them in time to avoid your period while on vacation.

Good luck!

[sara74]

I have manipulated my cycle by starting the next cycle of pills without taking the placebos of the previous month like a previous poster said. I never had any probs with it, no weepiness or mood swings but we were just talking at work and a few people mentioned that they have had spotting later in the month when they do that. I have done this several times - if you think WDW would be bad, try a wilderness backpacking trip! It worked great for me - good luck! :wave:

[rhiannonwales]

Yes, skipping the placebo is a good way to prevent it from coming.The popular brand name bc pill Seasonale is exactly that - 3 months of pill with no placebos. I would advise getting on it ( or skipping the placebos) at least 1 month before you plan to go, becaseu it can cause breakthrough spotting - the first month i did this i "spotted" for almost a month straight.
Sherrie

[rt2dz]

I'm nursing, so no pills. I don't like the daily thing either. Anyhow... I get depro shots which stop it totally. Might take a few months (3-4), but if you're not planning on getting pregnant soon (it can take awhile for fertility to return), it's really nice.

Other than that, just skip the placebos and go straight to the next pack (if on the pill). No period.

Or try the nuva ring. My ob loves it. She says just changes it the first of the month to skip the whole period thing. She advocates skipping *it* as long as it's safe.

[RangerPooh]

I have munipulated my period on MANY occassions. I do this by starting my next pack during the placebo (green pill) week. Sometimes there has been spotting, other times none. If you are not on te pill then check into it now, but ask you doctor. There is also Seasonale as another posted mentioned, I haven't tried but am interested in it.

[Deedlbugg]

I'm glad my question wasn't so loopy after all :)
Thanks for all your replies. I am not on the pill (DH was brave and snipped) and have never heard of the Nuva ring or Seasonale. What are they and do they have a lesser side effect than the pill? I can probably swipe a few from my sister as she isnt taking hers at the moment. Do you think that's safe or do I really need to go thru a doctor?

[RangerPooh]

have never heard of the Nuva ring or Seasonale. What are they and do they have a lesser side effect than the pill? I can probably swipe a few from my sister as she isnt taking hers at the moment. Do you think that's safe or do I really need to go thru a doctor?

Personally I would go and see a doctor and get a perscription as the pills are usually geared to your body and needs (low vs high dose, etc). Seasonale is a pill that you take in 3 month spurts with no period until the end of the 3 months. Meaning you have 4 periods a year. I am definately considering this, I forgot to ask about it at my exam last spring. I would assume that Seasonale would have side affects similar to the pill such as possible weight gain, clearing of acne, etc. No clue about the Nuva Ring.

[brneyegirl24]

I would most definitely go see your OB/GYN. Like a previous poster said, you need to get birth control that is right for you. You may ask your OB/GYN about the patch. I know there have been problems associated with this method of birth control, but if you're not a smoker over 35(I think that was the age my OB/GYN said) than the risks are minimal. I've been on the patch for a little over 2 years now, and I've never experienced any problems. I like it because if I want to skip a cycle or even just postpone it a few days, all I have to do is leave the patch on. I've figured out with my body that it takes about 2-3 days after taking the patch off before I start. So if I know of something coming up that I want to avoid my cycle for, I just leave it on. Hope that helps.

[luvitmoreachtime]

if you are not on bcps already though it may be too late to get regulated by trip because you can have break away bleeding for up to three months until the hormones from the pill get stablelized. I tried this for my honeymoon and started on my wedding day. It stopped two days later and started up again about 10 days later. The first month of my marriage, I was "flowing" more than not. If you are already on the pill, it should be fairly easy to control the date you start.
Have fun!

[Kahana-ri]

I do this with every special event - wedding, vacations, girls trips. Totally agree. Who wants to be dealing with a period or PMS :crazy2: when you just want to run around WDW without worrying where the next restroom is. I usually just remove the *ring* early to get my period earlier to avoid trip times. I would talk with your doctor first though if you are not comfortable with manipulating your cycle on your own.

[princessesrule4]

I would not take them without them being prescribed by your dr. ! The pill does have side effects ,can interact with other drugs,shouldn't be used by those with high blood pressure,etc. Also, you may be asking for problems you didn't expect because when I started the Pill, I felt very nauseous on and off for the first 3 months! I totally understand your situation though, I manipulate my Pills so I won't be off them for WDW, but since you are a first timer I would definitely talk to my Dr. first. He may have other suggestions as well! Good luck! You'll have a great trip no matter what!

[problemchild718]

I take the pill all the time-365 days a year with no placebo (as prescribed by my GYN) I very occassionally get a cycle and when I do it is light. Numerous studies have shown this to be safe. When your body needs to, it will cycle. Seasonal is based on this concept. I have done this for years with no problem and when I wanted a pregnancy, I stopped the pills and was able to conceive. I don't miss my cycle or any of the junk tha goes along with it!

[katiesmom2]

I used the Nuva ring for a few months and didn't like it (for me). It is a ring that is inserted to just inside the ******. You leave it in for 3 weeks and remove it for one, when you'll get your period. My doctor said women like it because it works like the pill but most don't get the stomach upset sometimes caused by the pill because it doesn't get digested.
It made me extremely moody - DH begged me to go off it saying I was very mean. He never says stuff like this, so I really listened. It is easy and convenient as long as it doesn't mess with you emotionally like it did me!

Here's a link to some further info...

http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp?guid={0423DA46-2E29-4A46-B439-F546730CD01F}&sid=281752868

[rhiannonwales]

Seasonale is just a new packaging of a bc pill called Alesse.Alesse is a very low dose bc pill that has far fewer side effects for most women than traditional higher dose pills.I am VERY sensitive to bc pills.Orthos cyclen and Tri cyclen made me weepy and moody.After my DS was born they gave me Estrostep which gave me nausea -the fact that the placebo pills were iron supplements only made it worse.After my DD, i considerderd a tubal, but the midwife suggested i try one mor pill and if i did not change my mind about the tubal afer a year shed do it.She gave me Alesse.I never had any side effects from this one.The only caution is that you MUST take it at the same time every day, because it is low dose so if you take it at irregula times you take a chance o being unprotected.This goes double if you are overweight (like me) because heavy women metabolise it differently.
Good Luck!
Sherrie

[Enchanted]

I have the same problem, but I was too embarrassed to ask! Congrats to the OP for being so brave! :thumbsup2

Is there a way to do this without birth control? I'm turning 18 in a few days, and er, I'm not AT ALL sexually active (haven't even been kissed yet ;) ). I don't think I want to deal with all of the side effects just to delay my period. Does anyone know of a natural way to change your cycle? Maybe delay it or start it up early?

I know my cycle has changed to fit with the women around me before. I have a group of friends online, and we all have our cycle at the exact same time (We all giggle and blame it on cyber-pheromones. :teeth: ). I also link up cycles with a woman friend from my summer job once we start working together again. Do you think this might be my only chance? Or is there some other way to do it? Again, birth control really isn't an option for me. Thanks in advance! :goodvibes

[AllyCatTapia]

yeah I was going to say the same as above.... go see a DOC (cause of risk of clots etc) BUT if you are JUST STARTING pills it's probably already too late cause they will mess you up for a while.

[TravelinGal]

Quick female lesson before I offer my suggestion.

The first part of your cycle (menses to ovulation) is when time variances usually occur (ie stress etc). You many ovulate on day 14 as a general rule, but have a stressful week - ovulation can be delayed. Ovulation does not always occur on day 14 as is commonly believed. (charting your temperature is a great way to know exactly when you ovulate.) The second part of the cycle (the Luteal Phase) is, unless medically altered or pregnant, the part of the cycle that does not change. If it is 12 days, it will always be 12 days regardless of stress etc. The luteal phase is the time between ovulation and menses. Luteal phase defect is when the LP is less than 10 days - as is mine (makes it very difficult to get pregnant). But I don't ovulate until day 19 (or so) so I still appear to have a "normal" 28 day cycle. Using the following (b-6 and progesterone cream) I was able to add 3 days onto my LP, so it's not a huge difference, but 2 days may make the difference as far as not having "Aunt Flo" visit while on vacation... It usually takes 2 or 3 months of treatments to start seeing a change. If you are interested in trying this, I'd strongly suggest the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. This is good for young and old alike!! (including gals who are not sexually active - BTW- YAY! to you!! :cheer2: ) I found a copy in my local library so I didn't have to pay for it.

The luteal phase has been successfully extended by many women with the following over the counter items:

The two main things that help to correct a luteal phase defect with over-the-counter remedies are vitamin B6 and progesterone cream. Vitamin B6 can be taken daily in dosages from 50 mg to 200 mg. Vitamin B6 is perfectly safe to take during pregnancy as well. Taking vitamin B6 every day during the entire month will help to lengthen the luteal phase as well as ease PMS and morning sickness.

A progesterone cream is usually targeted for menopausal women, however this cream is also useful in lengthening the luteal phase. A cream with natural progesterone works best. Be cautious of creams containing wild yam - because wild yam contains estrogen as well as progesterone. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of progesterone cream spread on the inner arm, inner thigh, neck, and chest - alternating places - twice a day from ovulation to menstruation or until the 10th week of pregnancy. (Ask your doctor for advice before using the progesterone cream.)

Another safe supplement that can help lengthen your LP is Red Raspberry
(335 mg pure Rubus Idaeus twice a day) to strengthen the uterus, thus lengthen LP.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions - I've been doing this (charting etc) for many many years and am glad to share with anyone who is curious.

Hope that helps a little bit!
Robin

[beckmrk04]

I'm nursing, so no pills. I don't like the daily thing either. Anyhow... I get depro shots which stop it totally. Might take a few months (3-4), but if you're not planning on getting pregnant soon (it can take awhile for fertility to return), it's really nice.

Other than that, just skip the placebos and go straight to the next pack (if on the pill). No period.

Or try the nuva ring. My ob loves it. She says just changes it the first of the month to skip the whole period thing. She advocates skipping *it* as long as it's safe.

I am on the Nuva ring too, and it works similarly to the pill.... I would have been on myperiod for our wedding (aaaaaahh), but instead, when I should have left the NR our for a week, I just put a new one in right away. The pills work the same way. Instead of taking the placebos, you jump right to your next pack of pills. I had no probs, and a period-free wedding and honeymoon in WDW!! Good luck!

PS- the Nuva Ring is so easy to use,I have been on it about 2 1/2 years now. Liek another poster said, it's just a flexible little ring, inserted for 3 weeks, out for 1, I have had no problems, you leave it in all the time, I can't feel it, (no, he can't either- I get asked that a lot). I can't remember to take pills, so I knew that was not an option for me, and I gained 50 lbs on the Depo shot...I am surprised that more people don't know about the nuva ring, but anyway- it has the same side effects as the pills generally do, and it doesn't work for everyone. I love it though!

[Dina]

I did it before my wedding. I forget what exactly I did, but I remember counting days and figuring when to start a new pack (like a year before my wedding)

[mcgrawfan]

To those interested in Seasonale. I was going to use this after I had DD, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. It was going to be like $135 for a 3 month supply as compared to a copay of $10 per month. I forget what I am taking now but my "friend" is practically non existant. I like that. But had been thinking the same as the OP for my next trip if it is that time, I am just skipping the placebos as previous posters have said.