Changing one's cycle

Re: Changing one's cycle

• ndearmond

  

  March 2012

  Thanks so much for your response, Crash2729.  As with all health situations, internet advice only goes a certain distance and must be taken with more than a grain of salt.  With the US health care system, it is extremely important to be an informed consumer, though. 
  
  I realized this yesterday and can't call my doctor's office until tomorrow.  I probably will not be able to talk to my doctor and will not be able to see him until April.  One of the best things about The Knot is being able to share stories with one another and I will share aspects of mine that can help others any time I can.

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• crash2729 member

  

  March 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_changing-ones-cycle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1124b602-1b44-4adc-a4d9-70b56839aaa1Post:f5e78e5e-c291-4f41-9984-733214fc0e8d">Re: Changing one's cycle</a>:
  [QUOTE]Thanks so much for your response, Crash2729.  As with all health situations, internet advice only goes a certain distance and must be taken with more than a grain of salt.  <strong>With the US health care system, it is extremely important to be an informed consumer, though</strong>.  I realized this yesterday and can't call my doctor's office until tomorrow.  I probably will not be able to talk to my doctor and will not be able to see him until April.  One of the best things about The Knot is being able to share stories with one another and I will share aspects of mine that can help others any time I can.
  Posted by ndearmond[/QUOTE]
  While this is true to a certain extent but just because 4 people say a certain BC made them gain 15 pounds and break out doesn't mean it will happen to you. <div>
  </div><div>April? That's only really a couple of weeks away now.</div>

  

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• Kristin789 member

  

  March 2012

  First, the extraordinary stress of a wedding usually postpones the bride's cycle by a week or two, so you probably will not have the symptoms you describe at the time you expect.
  
  Second, it really would be easier to take a midol for five days prior to your wedding.  That will totally handle any mood swings, PMS, bloating, whatever - and you don't have to artificially re-program your body.

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• AdeleDazeem member

  

  March 2012

  Yes, birth control can change your cycle, but only your doctor can really recommend what is good for you.
  
  Sure, being an advocate for yourself is a good idea.  However, this is true of ANY health system not just the US so I find your veiled annoyance with the system frustrating and short-sited.  It's best to arm yourself with FACTS and not random stories from internet strangers about how some bcp worked wonders for them.  Understand how the pill works and what other options are available.  But, if five people say they LOOOOOVED nuvaring, you will find and equal number who hated it.  It is a trial and error and process.
  
  Good luck.

  
  

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• Avion22 member

  

  March 2012

  I've done some messing around with my cycle using BCP.  If you're not already on the pill, then I wouldn't recommend trying to make that work in 80 days.  Everyone's body is different, but for me it takes 2-3 cycles to make any changes.  Even then I get spotting.

  
  

  If it's PMS, then I second the suggestion to take Midol during the time you're worried about.  Or you could ask your doctor to see if there is anything else they can prescribe you for PMS relief without altering your cycle.   

  
  

  
  

  

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• rlavach member

  

  March 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_changing-ones-cycle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1124b602-1b44-4adc-a4d9-70b56839aaa1Post:58354a94-33e4-4e2c-8a5b-b656c0d801d1">Re: Changing one's cycle</a>:
  [QUOTE]Just call your doctor and see if you can get on the pill.  <strong>Starting in April gives you more than enough time to alter a cycle for a June wedding. </strong> Also, everyone reacts to BC differently and your doctor can help you choose a pill that is right for you and your needs with the lowest risk of side effects.
  Posted by KindaSparkly[/QUOTE]
  That's not necessarily true, which is why it is so dangerous to take internet advice, OP.<div>
  </div><div>I'm getting married April 21st and wasn't able to get in to see a doctor until early February and didn't get to start taking BCP until Feb 12th. My doctor really really felt I shouldn't do it. You have to take BCP for 3 months straight before your body adjusts to the new pills. Before that, you can have skin breakouts, bloating, mood swings, spotting and more. While those are all side-effects that you can have at any point, there is a much higher chance of that happening during the first 3 months. </div><div>
  </div><div>Just because you have all of those symptoms does NOT mean it's not the right pill for you. It can & most likely will taper off after 3 months. The problem is by the time of my wedding, I'd still be in that introductory time. My skin did breakout for the first 3 weeks and I had spotting 3 times. One was quite heavy. I'm about to start the 2nd month now. The last thing I need is to have bloating or spotting while in my white wedding dress. That's the risk I take. </div><div>
  </div><div>OP, as you can see from the varying opinions on here, this is not the right place for this. Absolutely every person has a different reaction to the same medication. Every TK user can take the same BCP and have a completely different experience. Yet none of them can tell you what will happen for you. From the way my Dr. described it, it is very unpredictable. You won't know until you try.</div>

  

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• ndearmond

  

  March 2012 edited March 2012

  Thanks everyone.  I will call my doctor. I understand the pill as of 9 years ago and was one of the first to take it continuously.  I am simply interested in PMS symptoms and not at all worried about spotting or bleeding.  I will ask my doctor and pharmacist about Midol because I have never taken it and I try to take care with OTC meds, too.
  
  As for the US health system, I am not jaded about it, but I do know that knowing some of my options and having a list of concerns to present to my busy doctors can make all the difference in the world.  If I don't know what to ask, I may not get the answer that I need.  Even the Mayo Clinic recommends this as one possible use of the pills (weddings, although PMS is another one of the reasons I took it in the past).  And, TheKnot describes changing ones cycle no less than 6 weeks before the wedding.  So, now that I am at 81 days, I feel the pressure.
  
  My post-PMS brain may relax a little and I apologize for bringing this question here in my state of panic.

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• rlavach member

  

  March 2012

  TK keeps deleting my post! Grr. Like PP said, everyone is different. Don't believe TK regarding 6 weeks before the wedding. This is a wedding website, not even webMD or MayoClinic. 

  
  

  I totally understand feeling the pressure. After finishing the first month of this BCP, I brought the Rx in and my insurance doesn't cover it. I can't afford to stop it and restart with another brand that my insurance will cover because who knows how I will react. So, it looks like I'll be paying cash for the next 2 months until after my wedding is over, then I can try to switch to another. Not fun.

  
  

  Side note, what do you mean by 'one of the first ones to take it continuously'? Various versions have been around since the 60s...

  

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• ndearmond

  

  March 2012

  The ones that were used in the past were very high doses of synthetic hormones and I suppose that general usage could be considered "continuous."  My reference was to my doctor encouraging me to take my pills without the withdrawal bleed.  I had two doctors at the time and they, along with their colleagues, encouraged me to take them for almost a year without having the one week break each month.  I would imagine that this is more common now, but I don't have any girlfiends to talk to about it, so I came here for a casual conversation.
  
  I do know how much my insurance saves me on medication each month and I can hardly imagine having to pay two months out of pocket.  But, when something works well, I can see not wanting to change it right now.  I hope you can make a gentle transition to something that is covered after your wedding!  That piece of info will help me.  So, again, thanks!

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• ndearmond

  

  March 2012

  My reason is basically because I am in school and am far away from them and can't come in for an appointment now, although I am seen every 3 months.  I have never had contraindications or complications with BC in the past.
  
  I do not think I gave the impression that I am looking for medical advice.  I know that the doctors will make the final decision, but I also thought this was a perfectly appropriate place to speak to women who are going through this experience and those who have gone through it.  The experience is important to me and sharing it with others is helpful.  I will be more careful with what I ask here.  I have been so happy to have other knotties who can help with some of the things that I can't talk to friends about.

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• ndearmond

  

  March 2012

  Thank you all for sharing while claiming not to share.  I have my own level of medical training and I can tell you that even to tell a woman to pack medical supplies for her wedding is medical advice - advice that I can not legally give.  Telling a person that it really helps me to keep certain things on hand may help that person, though.  And, even with OTC products, we will all react differently.
  
  To know that my fears are not uncommon and to know the struggles that others have faced and overcome are things that we do here daily with one another and they can help.  The final decision would be between my doctor and I.  I suppose I was just looking for a little of the anecdotal "I've been there and..." while I wait for the nurse to return my call (if she ever does, which is unlikely). This process has helped me make many wedding-related decisions and many medical decisions, as well.  I had no idea this would strike a chord with so many others.
  
  All done.

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• rlavach member

  

  March 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_changing-ones-cycle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1124b602-1b44-4adc-a4d9-70b56839aaa1Post:696d4799-d39e-44c9-98fc-8a8b07b7f79b">Re: Changing one's cycle</a>:
  [QUOTE]The ones that were used in the past were very high doses of synthetic hormones and I suppose that general usage could be considered "continuous."  My reference was to my doctor encouraging me to take my pills without the withdrawal bleed.  I had two doctors at the time and they, along with their colleagues, encouraged me to <strong>take them for almost a year without having the one week break each month.</strong>  I would imagine that this is more common now, but I don't have any girlfiends to talk to about it, so I came here for a casual conversation. I do know how much my insurance saves me on medication each month and I can hardly imagine having to pay two months out of pocket.  But, when something works well, I can see not wanting to change it right now.  I hope you can make a gentle transition to something that is covered after your wedding!  That piece of info will help me.  So, again, thanks!
  Posted by ndearmond[/QUOTE]
  There are women who choose to do that and even some medications designed to give you only 4 periods per year, such as Seasonique. I asked my doctor about that since that seems much more convenient but I was quite skeptical. She was very against it. In her words, 'anything that goes against nature isn't good.' Yes, BCP change your cycle dates, but you still have your period every month. Making it 4x per year or even less, was dangerous in her eyes. There are several women on here who say they only break for 1-2 periods per year. Every doctor and patient is different. 

  

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• rlavach member

  

  March 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_changing-ones-cycle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1124b602-1b44-4adc-a4d9-70b56839aaa1Post:e582094b-ce18-4176-95af-b7159a2579fc">Re: Changing one's cycle</a>:
  [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Changing one's cycle : Going against nature?  Taking BC IS going against nature because it prevents you from ovulating and suppresses your natural hormonal cycle.  There is nothing "natural" about getting a monthly period on BC except that's what we're used to.  Honestly, if I had a doctor telling me this, I would switch doctors because I wouldn't trust her judgement or medical opinion about anything.  
  Posted by yaga13[/QUOTE]
  Yikes, no need to get so bothered. As I explained before, BCP are adding hormones do your body, but it keeps you with a period once per month, the same that you would normally have (if you are regular). So by 'going against nature', she was referring to having a period only 4x per year. If you weren't on any pills and only had your period 4x last year, you'd be getting all types of exams to find out what's wrong. 

  

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• crash2729 member

  

  March 2012 edited March 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_changing-ones-cycle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:1124b602-1b44-4adc-a4d9-70b56839aaa1Post:ff25d9e3-6c9b-40b8-ad9c-c5ec15a4a025">Re: Changing one's cycle</a>:
  [QUOTE]Thank you all for sharing while claiming not to share.  <strong>I have my own level of medical training and I can tell you that even to tell a woman to pack medical supplies for her wedding is medical advice - advice that I can not legally give. </strong> Telling a person that it really helps me to keep certain things on hand may help that person, though.  And, even with OTC products, we will all react differently. To know that my fears are not uncommon and to know the struggles that others have faced and overcome are things that we do here daily with one another and they can help.  The final decision would be between my doctor and I.  I suppose I was just looking for a little of the anecdotal "I've been there and..." while I wait for the nurse to return my call (if she ever does, which is unlikely). This process has helped me make many wedding-related decisions and many medical decisions, as well.  I had no idea this would strike a chord with so many others. All done.
  Posted by ndearmond[/QUOTE]<div>What? </div><div>if you are medically trained...why do you need to come here then?</div><div>
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