[summer16]

I just started my 2nd pack of BC, Yaz, because my periods were irregular and heavy. I started my period yesterday and it is just as heavy as before with clots, feeling of peeing on myself, etc. Plus I am getting bad cramps, something I didn't do before! So why is my period still heavy?
Will it get lighter as I continue BC, or should I switch BC?
I am going to see my gyno for a followup this Thursday.

Please reply quickly. Thank You!

[Mes T]

I think it can take a while for "side effects" to appear once starting birth control, I would wait another month and see how it goes.

I just wonder, did your gyno recommend Yaz or did you choose it yourself, and what were the reasons? Hearing stories from other people, it seems that Yaz is more prone to cause people problems. Just a thought.

[summer16]

I think it can take a while for "side effects" to appear once starting birth control, I would wait another month and see how it goes.

I just wonder, did your gyno recommend Yaz or did you choose it yourself, and what were the reasons? Hearing stories from other people, it seems that Yaz is more prone to cause people problems. Just a thought.

The gyno didn't really give me options of birth control. She just said, "Well, I'm going to put you on Yaz and see how it helps you and I will see you in a month for a follow up appointment." She explained how to use it and everything else, but I didn't choose. She said where it is the lowest dose it should help, and to disregard the horrible commercials about it because at my age, being healthy, and not smoking or anything else, I shouldn't have any problems.
I am 16 and went to the gyecologist because I was having heavy periods that would linger on for months at a time. I became enemic because of it. I am on birth control to help regulate my cycle and calm down the flow. But the flow isn't any different than before, and this is my first period on birth control. Not to mention horrible, horrible cramps! Which I never even had before.

[Mes T]

Yeah if this continues you will probably need to switch brands. It can take a couple of tries to find the right pill so don't worry too much about that...

And get in the habit of asking LOTS of questions at the doc's office. When I was younger I'd just do whatever they said as well but, experience has taught me that a lot of them aren't actually as knowledgeable as I thought! :-/

[summer16]

Yeah if this continues you will probably need to switch brands. It can take a couple of tries to find the right pill so don't worry too much about that...

And get in the habit of asking LOTS of questions at the doc's office. When I was younger I'd just do whatever they said as well but, experience has taught me that a lot of them aren't actually as knowledgeable as I thought! :-/

Thanks! She already has me on Yaz for a year. Can that be changed? And I was supposed to have a follow-up today, but I had to reschedule it. Urg.

[Mes T]

Yeah it can be changed, I mean it's not advisable to change birth control pills often but... If your side effects persist for a few months, then it'd be a pretty good idea to do so.

[mom30]

It's possible your body needs some time to adjust to the pill. It can take several months. However, on Yaz, I flowed heavy too and had cramps as well, so my doctor took me off of them.

I agree with Mes_T, it's not a good idea to change pills often. My ob/gyn has preached that to me often. It's not a problem if she has written you a prescription for Yaz for a year and it's decided you need another pill. She'll just write you another prescription for the new pill and you have that filled.

[summer16]

Thanks both of you!
I will probably not have a follow-up for a while and give the medicine the benefit of the doubt, and give it another month or so. I read somewhere that someone on Yaz also had a heavy flow with bad cramps for 3 weeks before she stopped! I'm almost at a week now, and 6 days into 2nd pack of my active pills. That aggravates me because it's the weekend and I can't do anything! Ugh...well...I'll give it until when my period is due in March. If my period isn't lighter, without cramps, and doesn't last amazingly long, I'll stick with it. If it's like it is now, I'm gonna talk to my gyno!