Ladies - Hormonal/Cycle Questions

[MickeysMommy]

I will be 38 in September and I've been on bcp's since I was about 19. Since I was about 35 my cycle has been off. I can go maybe one or two months where it's normal (get it during the placebo pills) and then for a couple months I will spot a few days before the placebos, leading to my period. Sometimes my period is what you consider spotting (and I know it's a "pill period") other times its heavy. Last month I got it right on the first day of placebos (usually I'm around the 2nd day or so) and it lasted a few days. This month I am spotting on my third week of pills - week before placebos . WTH???

Anyone have any similar experiences? Help! This is making me

 

[pigletgirl]

Sounds like "breakthrough bleeding"? I would get everything checked.

 

[RadioNate]

I am the same age and have been having a similar issue. I just switched pills but they did suggest that I make a full appointment to biopsy the uterine lining. Sorry if that is TMI or scary but while she did stress that it is likely normal and the progesterone in pills helps guard against things like uterine cancer this is a common age for things like that to start showing up. So I'm getting it checked.

The pill change hasn't helped me (but it has only been a week) but she did say that usually fixes the issue.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Did you switch pills 3 years ago by chance? Or go from the brand formula to generic? Generic version versus original version has such a miniscule difference in the formula, but when it comes to hormones a small difference can make a big difference to you.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I am the same age and have been having a similar issue. I just switched pills but they did suggest that I make a full appointment to biopsy the uterine lining. Sorry if that is TMI or scary but while she did stress that it is likely normal and the progesterone in pills helps guard against things like uterine cancer this is a common age for things like that to start showing up. So I'm getting it checked.

The pill change hasn't helped me (but it has only been a week) but she did say that usually fixes the issue.

I'm sorry you are going through this too. Hope it's all ok

 

[MickeysMommy]

Did you switch pills 3 years ago by chance? Or go from the brand formula to generic? Generic version versus original version has such a miniscule difference in the formula, but when it comes to hormones a small difference can make a big difference to you.

I've always been on generic of whatever pill because that's what insurance allows. I did go through a period of time where she switched me from one type of pill to another but I've been on this one (generic) a few years. Maybe I do need to switch to a different one.

 

[RadioNate]

I'm sorry you are going through this too. Hope it's all ok

Thank you. You too. I'm not worried. I am having it checked but my Dr was pretty clear that this age is when hormones start being wacky, that breakthrough bleeding is common with generic pills OR it could be an early sign of something serious.

I wanted to pass it along because I just went in last week. My first assumption was a pill change was needed because I was getting older and things are changing. And that is the course of action my Dr took.

My annual is due in June and we scheduled the biopsy then. There was no indication that she wanted me to rush into having it asap.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Thanks for the info! Good luck