Early Period while on Tri-Cyclen Lo birth control?! - Birth Control Message Board

curiosity · 02-03-2006, 01:12 PM

I'm just wondering if anyone could explain why I'd be having an early period, if I've been taking the same birth control for a few months now.
I usually start my period while taking the green pills, like I'm supposed to, but today I was rushing to the bathroom at school when I felt something coming out! I thought it was just discharge (because mine usually gets heavier before my period) but in the bathroom, I saw that it was blood!
When I got home, I looked at my pill packet, and I still have two light blue pills before the green (one of which I will be taking tonight).
Usually, when I start, I have really bad cramps, even while on this BC, but the only period symptoms I've had is sore breasts, which is normal along with my cramps.
Could it be that because I'm getting so used to the BC, my body is maybe becoming immune to it, or my lining is getting thinner/weaker?
I'm really worried! Please help. And thanks.

Lisa101010 · 02-03-2006, 02:01 PM

I've taken Tri-Cyclen Lo many times and for many years. And the same thing happened to me too.

Although for the most part my periods were normal while I was on it, there were times when things were a little bit out of wack. It is very common for it to take months, even up to a year, for your body to get used to the pill. During this time, your cycles might not work like a clock. Things will vary. I highly doubt that you are getting so used to the pill that your body is becoming immune. While that can happen after prolonged use (years), your body is most likely still getting used to the pill. And, I have never heard of the pill causing your lining to be weaker. Tri-Cyclen Lo is nice because it has lower amounts of estrogen and usually causes the least side effects, but that doesn't mean your body won't need time to adjust.

You said you still had two blue pills (the green ones are really just sugar pills, the only reason they are there is as a reminder to keep taking your pill everyday), so you were really close to getting your period anyway. If you had spotting during the middle of your cycle, I'd be more worried.

Did you miss any pills this month? Did you remember to take them at the same time every day? Sometimes I've missed a pill here or there (then took two the next day) and this caused my period to be irregular. Or, sometimes I wasn't taking them at the same time every day, and those months I'd either be early or late.

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. I doubt anything is wrong. Make sure you take the pill at the same time every day. And, if your period starts early, definately keep taking the pills you have left. If things continue to be weird, see the doctor who prescribed your pills.

Oh and as far as your period symptoms, and your cramps going away, even though you still had cramps when you first started the pill, its only been a few months. Now that your body is adjusting to the pill, your symptoms may start to go away. In fact, this is one of the advantegous of the pill. Some people take it just to help with cramps.

curiosity · 02-03-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa101010

I've taken Tri-Cyclen Lo many times and for many years. And the same thing happened to me too.

Although for the most part my periods were normal while I was on it, there were times when things were a little bit out of wack. It is very common for it to take months, even up to a year, for your body to get used to the pill. During this time, your cycles might not work like a clock. Things will vary. I highly doubt that you are getting so used to the pill that your body is becoming immune. While that can happen after prolonged use (years), your body is most likely still getting used to the pill. And, I have never heard of the pill causing your lining to be weaker. Tri-Cyclen Lo is nice because it has lower amounts of estrogen and usually causes the least side effects, but that doesn't mean your body won't need time to adjust.

You said you still had two blue pills (the green ones are really just sugar pills, the only reason they are there is as a reminder to keep taking your pill everyday), so you were really close to getting your period anyway. If you had spotting during the middle of your cycle, I'd be more worried.

Did you miss any pills this month? Did you remember to take them at the same time every day? Sometimes I've missed a pill here or there (then took two the next day) and this caused my period to be irregular. Or, sometimes I wasn't taking them at the same time every day, and those months I'd either be early or late.

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. I doubt anything is wrong. Make sure you take the pill at the same time every day. And, if your period starts early, definately keep taking the pills you have left. If things continue to be weird, see the doctor who prescribed your pills.

Oh and as far as your period symptoms, and your cramps going away, even though you still had cramps when you first started the pill, its only been a few months. Now that your body is adjusting to the pill, your symptoms may start to go away. In fact, this is one of the advantegous of the pill. Some people take it just to help with cramps.

Thank you! And about the lining thing...I just read that BC makes your lining weaker after a while--something like that.(Also, something about BC making many women not have a period after years of taking it.)
When I got home from school, I took out the tampon that I had in, and there wasn't much blood on it. I sat at my computer for a while, and even took a shower, and I haven't bled anymore since...Could it maybe be breakthrough bleeding since my period IS supposed to be starting?

(Oh! Yes, I have been taking my BC like I'm supposed to...Except I take it at 7:30 PM and took it a little early a few nights just so I wouldn't have to interrupt things I'd be doing around 7:30.)

Lisa101010 · 02-03-2006, 03:37 PM

Yes, sounds like just some spotting. Probably just your body getting used to the pill.

I actually remember when I was 16 and first got on the pill, after a few months I called a nurse because of the same thing. I wasn't sure if I should keep taking my pills. She told me it was normal and to keep taking them.

curiosity · 02-03-2006, 05:10 PM

So is there actually a small difference between spotting and periods?
Is it possible to know that you're spotting if you don't have cramps and usually do?