Question about FEMALE issues. (possible TMI alert)

[Marseeya]

I'm going to turn 39 this week.

Yes, I know I'm over the hill. My kids remind me of this on a daily basis.

Anyway, over the past few years, my menstrual periods have been getting worse and worse. Very painful cramps, heavy bleeding, slightly irregular (by a few days, nothing more, but still more irregular than I ever was). I've always had a problem with painful ovulation, but the doctor has never been able to find anything wrong with me.

I just realized that I'm probably going to have my period through our entire WDW trip in June. I had a thought that if I were still on the pill, I'd be able to move my period back a week like I did when I was younger.

Am I too old to be on the pill? It's not a matter of birth control, as I had a tubal ligation after my DD, but being on the pill would probably help all the problems I mentioned, plus being able to "rearrange" it for our trip.

Is there anyone else out there my age or older who is on the pill? Do you think this is an option for me?

 

[hiwaygal]

We're the same age. I did the Depo shots for a few years (they were WONDERFUL!) but I stopped that over a year ago. I can't take BC pills (I smoke) so I just have to be careful.

But, the day I arrived in WDW for my WEDDING I started my period! UGH!! I called my doc and they called in a Rx for BC pills. They didn't work for me (slowed things down but didn't stop them), but I'll bet your doc might do the same for you!

I think you probably could still take BC, just ask your doc.

 

[hdecker]

I'm 42 and still on the pill just so I can arrange my periods around trips and work committments. Have no bad side effects at my age and the dr says its still okay.

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

I was just at the GYN.... im in a similar situation...only they want to be careful because of how young I am (im 14)

BCP was originally a medical pill to regulate periods and rearrange.

So we have to wait and see...I'd also check for Poly Systic Ovarian Syndrom....just as a precaution, but if they are irregular it maybe that, people who are overweight are more predisposed to have it. Im not saying that it is that or that you are overweight....I am though and Im under close watch by my GYN to watch for PSOS.

so youre fine for BCP...and youre not over the hill...yet!

 

[Alicia87]

Marseeya,

I am on the BC pill for the exact same reasons and I'm 37!! Believe me, things are much better now than they were!! My ovulation was excruciating and ultrasounds show no signs of anything suspicious. Another good thing about being on the BC pill is it cuts your risk of ovarian cancer (which my mom had in 1991 at the age of 41) so it's beneficial to me in many ways (hubby has had a vasectomy so I'm not using them for BC methods).

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.

 

[dmslush]

I am 33 and my obgyn gives me two packs of bc before any of my vacations in order to regulate my period before the trip. I think if you aren't going to use it long term (I have had my tubes tied), I think it will be okay.

 

[YourMajesty]

There are a couple of options that I have tried. They make a low dose BC for people over 35 so check into that (i used ortho-tri-cyclen lo) and did ok. You can also try to regulate and/or lengthen your cycle with progesterin pills. I'm guessing here but I think I took them starting around day 14 for 14 days to make a 28 day cycle. The later option is less medication. Good luck.

 

[aprilgail2]

I am 42 and my Dr put me on them a few months ago..I only stayed on them for 5 months to try to get myself reregulated and then went off them...its just not healthy to stay on them...I don't smoke but there is still a risk of blood clots so I prefered not to be on them. Have you already had a D&C???

 

[Pooh67_68]

Your problems sound almost identical to mine, and yes I am on BC to regulate my periods. I have never had a problem taking the pill longer to keep my period away while on vacation. I will be 39 in May, you are not to old for BCP.

 

[OhMari]

I PM'd you.

 

[Disney-Kim]

My Dr said since I don't smoke I can take the pill through my 40's. I am 39 and currently take the pill continuously. I don't have a period at all. At first I was supposed to have them about every 4 months, but they don't come at all.
I do this for migraines...and it has been a HUGE help.

I would recommend the pill for anyone my age who needs help controlling/lightening their periods.

 

[Narvon]

I am 35 and I'm on Seasonale because my PMS became debilitating - I would have severe migraines that had me in bed for about 4 days out of every 28. Now I have one period every 13 weeks and virtually no PMS. I did have some spotting the first pill cycle, but none after that. My doctor has given me the "OK" to not have ANY periods at all (just take the pills continuously), but I go ahead and take the week off. 13 weeks isn't a magic number - I can just adjust the number of weeks if my period is going to fall at an inconvienient time. Of course, it might not be right for you, but it has changed my life!

 

[Marseeya]

Thank you all so much for the advice and input!

I'm calling my gynecologist tomorrow. I just didn't want to go in there asking for something that I'd be too old for.

 

[spoon full of sugar]

Marseeya I was having this same experience with my periods and realized that it was a wierd reaction to soy! Since the goverment subsidizes soy production in the U.S. (especially genetically modified soy) manufacturers are putting it in everything because it is so cheap. Try avoiding anything with soy in it (it is really hard, it's in everthing) it may stop your period problems altogether and you wouldn't have to worry about chemically regulating your periods, it's worked for me so far.

 

[georgina]

Or it could be due to fibroids. My gyn has me take large doses of ibuprophen during periods to cut down on pain and heavy flow due to a fibroid. I'd rather not have surgery, so this works for me for now. I do know people who short-term have taken BC pills to avoid having period on vacation or for their wedding.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Marseeya - I could have written your post! (with just a couple of slight differences) I had a tubal a few years ago and I'm super regular - but I was so sick of having terrible backaches, heavy periods, and night sweats. Won't be 40 until June but the Doc thought it could be early menopause due to the symptoms. I asked him to put me on Seasonale and I'm on my second month of that. It's been great so far!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Marseeya,

I am on the pill for regulating my periods only. I don't think you are too old to be on them. Give you dr. a call!

 

[Blueberry]

I have two answers for you here....first you are not too old for THE PILL. I was on for 20 years straight after my DD was born and took them up till I had my hysterectomy at 43. Yes I regulated my periods forever with being on the pill and I made 8 trips to WDW without ever having a period there or even any spotting or anything.

Second you have real symptoms of fibroids which are no joke....get them checked out, as they can cause real damage to your female internal organs (if you are considering having more kids this is important) and will only get worse. I had to have a radical hysterectomy very quickly because of them which took me a bit to recover from.

Hope this helps some..have a good trip

 

[Marseeya]

Marseeya I was having this same experience with my periods and realized that it was a wierd reaction to soy! Since the goverment subsidizes soy production in the U.S. (especially genetically modified soy) manufacturers are putting it in everything because it is so cheap. Try avoiding anything with soy in it (it is really hard, it's in everthing) it may stop your period problems altogether and you wouldn't have to worry about chemically regulating your periods, it's worked for me so far.

I didn't know that soy could affect periods like that, but I know it's not good for people with thyroid dysfunction. I've been avoiding soy products (except Asian foods... I just can't help myself! ) for a while now.

Soy's in everything!