posted
First off, understand that the pill cannot regulate a period. To be more clear, while ON the pill, you don't actually have a real period, but what is called withdrawal bleed. Generally, the pill causes that to occur on a very regular schedule. But the pill doesn't change your menstrual cycle, so once off the pill, your period will go back to its usual ways.
(However, since a lot of women start the pill before their periods HAVE regulated, it's not uncommon to find that years later, by the time they're off the pill, it's become more regular. But that's due to the passing of time, not to the pill.)
In any event, now and then, due to various changes in the body, even on the pill, that bleed might be lighter. Eating less or weight loss, hormonal shifts, stress, illness, the body metabolizing the pill a bit differently now and then: all these things and more can cause that.
If over the next three cycles, you notice more changes, a total lack of bleeding, or a lot of intermittent spotting, call your gynecologist who prescribed the pill. But otherwise, don't sweat one different cycle. (And if you're not up-to-date with your annual pelvic exams and STI screens, go ahead and schedule that regardless.)
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quote:Originally posted by Miz Scarlet: First off, understand that the pill cannot regulate a period. To be more clear, while ON the pill, you don't actually have a real period, but what is called withdrawal bleed. Generally, the pill causes that to occur on a very regular schedule. But the pill doesn't change your menstrual cycle, so once off the pill, your period will go back to its usual ways.
(However, since a lot of women start the pill before their periods HAVE regulated, it's not uncommon to find that years later, by the time they're off the pill, it's become more regular. But that's due to the passing of time, not to the pill.)
In any event, now and then, due to various changes in the body, even on the pill, that bleed might be lighter. Eating less or weight loss, hormonal shifts, stress, illness, the body metabolizing the pill a bit differently now and then: all these things and more can cause that.
If over the next three cycles, you notice more changes, a total lack of bleeding, or a lot of intermittent spotting, call your gynecologist who prescribed the pill. But otherwise, don't sweat one different cycle. (And if you're not up-to-date with your annual pelvic exams and STI screens, go ahead and schedule that regardless.)
thanks so much for the advice. it seemed to have taken a load off of my shoulders. i will definetely keep in eye on it for the next few months and then make an appointment if it changes.
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