Chapter 30: A Period Update

I had my first period since January this week. My periods were still coming too often (like every 3.5 weeks), so my surgeon said there was no reason for me to have a period. Since then, I've been skipping the inactive pill week and going right into the next pill pack. The PA that I see at my OBGYN's office said that once I start spotting again, skip a week of the active pills and "give myself" a period. Here are some observations I've noticed since January. Obviously everyone's bodies are different, but this is what I've noticed.

When I first started skipping the inactive pills, I spotted for about a month. It was annoying but definitely something I could live with. After that, I didn't have periods or spotting, which was fantastic. However, I still PMSed, which was weird and hard to keep track of when I wasn't bleeding. I'd find myself wondering, "why am I so emotional right now? Why can't I stop eating? Why did that commercial make me cry?" and sure enough, I'd look at my pill pack and I'd be a few days out from when a period would normally start. Once I realized this, it was way easier to manage and keep track of.

Last week I started spotting, so I listened to the PA and stopped taking the pill. Since it had been 5 months since I bled, I was super concerned that I was about to unleash Niagara Falls or that blood elevator scene from The Shining. Luckily, that wasn't the case. I had super light bleeding and manageable cramps the entire time. Did I feel my best? No. Was it way better than anything I experienced pre surgery? Yes.

I started the active pills again on Tuesday night and the minimal bleeding stopped. I feel fine again. So, all and all, I recommend this if your doctor gives you the okay. I was initially concerned about skipping periods all together. Would I feel like something was off with my body? Would I feel like my uterus needed its monthly shedding to feel normal? Turns out the answer to both of those concerns was no. I'm on the combination pill (as opposed to the progestin only "mini" pills). Birth control prevents pregnancy in 3 ways: the hormones prevent ovulation, change cervical mucus and decrease the lining inside of the uterus. The last one is key here- there just wasn't that much blood for me to deal with. And it was fantastic. This seems like a great way to continue to manage my symptoms and I plan on using it for as long as I see benefits.