Any one on the Pill experienced this?

I'd very much like to know if anyone else who is on the Pill has experienced this or if anyone might be able to tell me why it's happening.

I've been on several different pills over the last 3 years. The one I'm on currently (Yasmin) I've been on for almost 1 and a half years now. I had some nasty side effects when I first started, then it seemed to even out and now it's got just plain weird.

For the past 3 or 4 months, my body is reacting to my monthly "cycle" exactly like it used to before I started taking the Pill. I start getting cramps the same time I used to (up to 2 weeks prior to a bleed), I am getting hectic PMS (same as I used to, and I'm talking seriously bad here), even right down to getting flu like symptoms a few days before I am due to have a bleed (which I used to get as well). If I didn't know any better I would say that I wasn't even on the Pill or that for some obscure reason it stopped working all together (even though logically I know that's not possible)!

What is really puzzling me though is why my body is reacing this way, and how it knows when to do something?

Take for example the flu symptoms before a period. The only reason you get a withdrawal bleed on the Pill is because the inactive tablets withdraw the homones. It's an artificial cycle - the Pill essentially puts your cycle one hold. If that is the case, how can my body start exhibiting the symptoms of a bleed when it "doesn't know" that it's coming?

Bear in mind that this didn't happen previously - it's only been doing this for the past 3 - 4 months or so.

Has anything like this happened to anyone else? Or does anyone know why this might be happening?

 

Things like that is why I've always been afraid to take something like that. I feel like a month period is a good thing to have, I don't see how it could be okay for the body not to flush that out once a month.

Have you talked to your gyno about this?

 

I have spoken to my gyno and my GP about these issues before and they both told me the same thing: come off the pill & go onto Mirena (progesterone releasing IUD). They have both told me that my body seems to be one of those that doesn't take well to hormonal / estrogen containing birth control methods. I've tried extremely low dosage, and I've tried very high dosages. I have severe issues on them all. Neither the patch nor the shot are options either.

Dr. & Gyno both say that non-hormonal or Mirena are my only options. I am reluctant to go for the Mirena at this point as it is expensive and I'd hate to pay for it and a few months later we find it's not working out or DH & I want to start a family so it has to come out. Then it's money wasted. And non-hormonal routes are not really an option either, so I'm stuck on the Pill.

However, my whole thing with the question I posted was not so much about what can I do about it (I know the answer to that - come off the pill, but I can't!), but more about why it is happening/ what could be causing it. It is easier for me to deal with something if I understand why it's happening. The reason this situation puzzles me is because it wasn't happening before, and nothing has changed, so why has my body started doing this?

 

That's strange. I've never heard of anyone who couldn't use any type of pill, patch, ect.

Sorry I couldn't help you out.

Hopefully you'll be able to start working on starting a family and not have to worry about it.

 

I think our bodies just get used to doing certain things, and maybe its just like in the brain to make you feel this way at a certain time ya know?
I think I've experienced cramps that feel like I'm gonna get my period before monthly like that, though I guess it could be from something else. (I'm on a 3 month one too)
I actually seemed to have more trouble adjusting to the 3-month thing more than anything else. I think because its a light dosage, if I missed a few my body would be kinda confused. Everyone is different though and reacts differently to birth control.
I'd say your body will probably adapt to it, mine has I think... well good luck, if you're still having the same problems in a few months I guess try something else!

 

I'm on yasmin and it's doing the same thing. The only difference is that I'm spotting in the middle of the month.

My doctor told me that Mirena hasn't been "perfected" yet and tends to fall out on occasion. She also told me that you should change your pill once every other year. I've been on it for 2 years now and I think it's time to change. However, I need a period control method because mine get so bad. I still feel the same symptoms as if I weren't even on the pill-which as you said, can be mentally dangerous! I'm still passing out when I have my period (it's always happened to me) and I go through 2 pads every 2 hours.

Try another method. Do some research.

 

thanks for your reply lovelylyxmalia - it's good to know I'm not the only experiencing this!

 

That happened to me too but it doesn't happen anymore. I've been on a generic brand of Seasonale for about a year I think... maybe less.
But I guess if you've been on it for 2 years then it might not go away... I don't know..
I also noticed my periods got worse once I went on a 3 month one

 

I went to the doctors today and come to find out it wasn't even the pill...she did change it though because it is time.

 

The pill gave me bad sharp cramp like pains that were awful but only lasted a few seconds at a time although it was often. I got off of it quick. I say unless it’s for regulation, just use condoms…

 

I'm also on the generic brand of seasonale. Actually, i love it, because my periods are bearable while on it.

Maybe you should try the birth control ring? I've heard its very helpful. Or possibly the depo-provera injection? the only issue with that is weight gain, and some emotional side effects. I would personally (not professionally, i'm not your Dr) warn against using the injection if you've ever had a history of depression. When i was on it it seemed as if my depression had worsened tenfold. Then again, the injection really wasn't developed for teenagers, and I started using it when i was 16. Just be aware. The upside to the injection is that it can cause you to stop menstruating altogether. (this is not unhealthy. it simply causes your body to think it is already pregnant, so no egg comes down, and the uterus does not build up any lining. thus, no lining to flush)