Continuous Birth Control Pills Still Have Period

09-07-2009, 04:04 AM	#1
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Hi, I had problems with very heavy and debiliating periods. These started about 8 months ago, after previously being normal. They were so bad, there were days when I couldn't leave the house. I am 41 and have been sterilized as I have 2 kids and don't want anymore. GP suggested I take the pill continuously to stop my periods altogether. I have tried 3 different types of pill, but they don't stop my period. My period has been continuous since I started taking the pills. It is light, but I have to wear a normal sanitary towel permanently, although I only need to change it once a day. Although this is better than what I suffered before, it has affected my sex-life and I haven't been able to swim all over the summer. Also, my vagina is sore - probably from the constant covering up. I am currently on Yasmin pill, and have been taking it for 3 months. I have no unwanted side effects from this pill (other than larger breasts!!) and would highly recommend it, however my period has not stopped. I am a football coach, so it is really important that I can be active. I have to go back to see my GP this week, as my supply is running out, but I'm not sure I am happy with carrying on with this style of treatment. I don't need contraception, so really the pill is just being used to try to stop my periods (which hasn't happened). I have read horrific stories about the mirena coil (which was her next suggestion if the pill didn't work), and am wondering what other things I could have done. I am seriously wondering about requesting a hysterectomy and be done with all this! Any advice please?

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09-08-2009, 04:03 AM	#2
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Ok, went back to GP and she has kept me on the Yasmin pills, but has referred me for an endometrial biopsy to "rule anything out", as she seemed concerned that given the length of time I've been taking the pill continuously, I should have stopped bleeding by now (although it is very light). I've already had an ultrasound and internal examination, and they were all clear - no sign of fibroids etc, so what will they be checking for? Now I'm worried!

09-11-2009, 10:03 PM	#3
Dragonomine Senior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 185	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! I would ask about the uterine ablasion and partial (taking uterus only) hysterectomy. If you're not gonna use it anymore, get rid of it if you're having problems. One of the best things I've ever did for myself.

09-14-2009, 02:10 AM	#4
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Quote: Originally Posted by Dragonomine I would ask about the uterine ablasion and partial (taking uterus only) hysterectomy. If you're not gonna use it anymore, get rid of it if you're having problems. One of the best things I've ever did for myself. Hi, Thanks for your reply. With the partial hysterectomy, does that stop your periods? Why did you have to have the ablasion as well? Sorry to be a bit thick, but this is all new to me!

09-14-2009, 04:41 AM	#5
Dragonomine Senior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 185	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Quote: Originally Posted by SammiH Hi, Thanks for your reply. With the partial hysterectomy, does that stop your periods? Why did you have to have the ablasion as well? Sorry to be a bit thick, but this is all new to me! The ablasion I had 2 years before my partial hysterectomy. I was spotting 3 out of 4 weeks and my fibroids were painful during sex. The procedure strips the lining from your uterus, thus not having periods anymore. They did it laproscopically and there wasn't much pain after. After a couple years I did start to spot every now and then so I opted to take the uterus out completely. Again, I was lucky that they could do it laproscopic but it did hurt like a b****h for a few weeks.

09-14-2009, 05:02 AM	#6
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Quote: Originally Posted by Dragonomine The ablasion I had 2 years before my partial hysterectomy. I was spotting 3 out of 4 weeks and my fibroids were painful during sex. The procedure strips the lining from your uterus, thus not having periods anymore. They did it laproscopically and there wasn't much pain after. After a couple years I did start to spot every now and then so I opted to take the uterus out completely. Again, I was lucky that they could do it laproscopic but it did hurt like a b****h for a few weeks. Thanks again for reply- personally I want to go for the partial hysterectomy, but not sure my GP would agree to it (not that I've asked)- other than the constant period while on the pill, or very heavy ones off it, I've no other problems (unless something shows up in the endometrial biopsy). They found no fibroids or polyps when I had the ultrasound, so not sure what the biopsy is for?

09-29-2009, 04:53 AM	#7
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Ok, just to recap, I have been on the pill continously to treat flooding and clotting in my periods. I have had a constant, but lighter period for 6 months! Due to go for a endometrial biopsy. This weekend, my period suddenly got really heavy, with clots size of dried figs and going through most absorbent pads every hour or so. Went to doc Monday. She has now taken me off pill, as it obviously wasn't working, but put me on Provera (Progesterone only) tablets, which I have to take for 10 days each month. I'm supposed to start them on 16th day of my cycle, but as we have no idea when that is, I started them straight away. The doc still tried to get me to try the Mirena coil, but I have read so many terrible stories about it, that I have been put off - also, as I have been sterilised, I don't see why I should put up with all this. They think it is all down to the perimenopause - I'm 41. All I know is, I can't cope with continual bleeding or these heavy periods - sex life is non-existant as I just don't feel like it. I'm also a soccer coach, so it's important to be in control. Assuming the biopsy is clear, do you think I should still insist (can I insist?) on a hysterectomy, or has anyone else found a good alternative to control the symptoms?

09-29-2009, 08:30 AM	#8
LilyL21 Veteran (female) Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 494	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! I'm not too familiar with your issues, but I just wanted to say that yes you can and should insist on hysterectomy if that's what you want! I really don't know what option are available except maybe uterine ablation? It seem to me like you've tried alternatives. Hyst sound like a pretty good fix to stop what sounds like some pretty intense bleeding. Good luck.

10-01-2009, 07:41 AM	#9
Perifedup Junior Member (female) Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Sammi, I had an endometrial biopsy done in August for a "thickened endometrium" and constant spotting. I got the results last week and it is benign. YAY But, during the biopsy, she caught fragments of a polyp so, I'm off to have a sonohysterogram because she said that during a normal vaginal ultrasound, they cannot see the polyps often. Picture your uterus as being flattened inside with both sides coming together. It's not this hollow, open ball as we see in diagrams. So, the polyps can become flattened and undetectable on a normal vaginal ultrasound, making it seem "thickened" when it could be a polyp or several. She said that a polyp/polyps could cause the bleeding as it is. That may also be true for you as well. Keep in mind that most polyps are benign. They rarely are cancerous in someone under 65 years of age and perimenopausal. A sonohysterogram (putting some saline solution into the uterus and ultrasounding with the fluid in) is the only way that they can expand the uterine wall to see if there's any polyps for sure. I'm wondering if this may be your case as well, given that you've tried the birth control pills to regulate it and it hasn't quite done the job. Perhaps, the progesterone will do the trick as polyps grow with excess estrogen or being estrogen dominant. Sending you lots of good wishes! I know how fed up you are as I am in the same boat but, determined to get this over with.

10-01-2009, 01:04 PM	#10
MSNik Senior Veteran (female)	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Sammi,, Illl give you food for thought too. im 42, three years ago the constant bleeding started. I lived with it, until I couldnt...about a year. I went in and had ablation and a tubal done. I WISH I HADNT DONE THE ABLATION. Read the posts on Novasure and youll hear my story... anyway, after that didnt work and I started having either polyps or fibroids constantly, I started having biopsies. You cant get a good biopsy once you have had ablation due to all the scarring! It ruined me completely for checking to see what is going on with me.. I was also stil bleeding after the ablation and now, almost 18 months later, am STILL bleeding! I started on Progesterone too....what is it? A hormone which is suppposed to stop the bleeding. I take it daily, and no- it hasnt stopped after 3 months on it. Im completely fed up and am now seeking a hysterectomy myself...I have another doctors appointment tomorrow morning to get another opinion! My gyn is trying to tell me that I should live like this...its not happening any longer! good luck to you. N __________________ RRMS- dx 05

10-02-2009, 02:40 AM	#11
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Thank you all so much for replying. I feel a bit better knowing I am not the only one going through this - everyone else I have spoken to said their perimenopause just meant their periods got less frequent. I was convinced I had something sinister wrong with me. I hope to hear about my biopsy appointment soon - I've taken 4 provera and the bleeding is now just like a normal period, rather than the clotting I was having. Thanks for the advice about the ablation - it was something I was thinking about requesting. but now I realise that may just cause problems identifying anything from future biopsies etc. I do agree, MSNik, that I don't think we should just "live with it". It is a nightmare as I like to be active and it is having a serious effect on my sex-life too. Once again - thanks for replying. It has meant a lot just hearing from others in the same situation. xx

03-24-2010, 01:24 PM	#12
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Thought I would come back and update. I had a Novasure endometrial ablation on Monday (2 days ago). My consultant recommended we try this rather than do the whole hysterectomy job, as success rates have improved and recovery time is much shorter. This was done under general anaesthetic as a day patient. Went down for op at 3pm. I had a little problem of low blood pressure after the op and felt dizzy, sweaty and nauseous, but was well enough to be discharged after 2 hours and was home by 7pm. I've had mild stomach cramps, some bloating and light watery pinky discharge since. Main problem is feeling very tired (not to mention constipation due to the paracetamol and ibruprofen I am taking for the cramps!). I've taken a few days off work to recover and am not due back to work until next Monday, (so will have had a week off) . Due a period in about 6/7 days, so I guess that will be the big test. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for previous support.

04-28-2010, 03:09 AM	#13
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Just an update. 5 weeks post op and now had the courage today to stop using panty liners! Yay! Haven't had a period yet, so bracing myself for next week which is when it would be due. My biopsy was all clear and I have a date for my post-op check up in June.

05-07-2010, 06:17 PM	#14
ambermcc1987 Inactive (female) Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 17	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! Good Afternoon, I started this problem with my first period. I would bleed heavily and be in a lot of pain. The doctor put me on the pill ( something generic, I cannot remember the name) and I would still have "breakthrough" bleeding or even no periods for months. My doctor tried a different pill and I bled for TWO MONTHS. Sometimes it was the most embarassing thing of my life. I used to have to wear a heavy duty tampon and a heavy duty pad and still I would bleed through most ( being 16 and having your crush point to your leg and go, uh your bleeding more than once ) My doctor put me on Depo Provera I have been on this medication for over 6 years and I havent bled since. I have developed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome but my doctor said that this could have been the cause all along for my wierd cycles. I would definatly reccoment the DEpo-Provera shot to anyone. THis is a once tri monthly shot that you get in your hip or arm. I choose my hip because the area does become quite sore. I also prefer this methood because Planned Parenthood in my area (indy) has it cheaper than my insurance coverage. I pay 39 a year this includes a pap, then 30 dollars a visit for the injection. They give me the script for the shot and i pay 4 dollars a script. I like them because they are open on weekends. This is a place you might want to check out in your area, the prices may vary. All in all, I would say get off the pill and try the shot. The biggest side effect they talk about is bone density loss. Personally, I have not increased my intake of any Vitamin C and I got my bone scan three months ago and I was fine. This may be due to my age, (23) so you may want to talk to your doctor about it.

05-08-2010, 06:47 AM	#15
SammiH Junior Member (female) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Somerset Posts: 13	Re: Taking pill continuously, but had period for 5 months! I'm glad that is working for you - I think that at my age I would not be prepared to put up with injections on an ongoing basis, especially as I have done with having kids and don't "need" periods anymore. For me, the ablation has been the best thing, but if you are still of child bearing age / want more kids, then you need to try other things first, as an ablation means you will not be able to have them. I was on provera tablets for a while, but they had no effect either. It's just trial and error, it seems. Best wishes PS - my first post op period only lasted 3 days and was very light, so hopeful that that is the shape of things to come. Last edited by SammiH; 05-08-2010 at 06:48 AM.

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