[Tiff27]

Wow, sorry there are so many typos in the title!

Okay, I have a couple of questions!
I went to an appointment on July 27th to start birth control. I went on it to help with mild acne and heavy periods with clots and irregular periods. My doctor gave me ortho tri-cyclen Lo. I told her that my last period started July 10th. After telling her this, she said, "Oh that was recently, so start taking the pills tonight." I never thought anything of it at the appointment, but when I got home and read the directions, I thought that was strange. The directions say to wait until the start of your next period to start taking the pills. My first question is if it is odd that my doctor told me to start the pills right away instead of waiting until my next period.

So I did start the pills that night. I've been taken them the same time everyday. I got my period August 12th, around the time that I would have normally gotten it. I had taken the 17th pill that day, so I got my period 5 days before the inactive pills started. My period was light to regular the first two days, but the past 3 days it has been really heavy with a lot of clots. Usually my period is heavy the first two days with clots and then becomes a lot lighter and ends on the 5th or 6th day. Well, right now it's the 5th day and it's still really heavy.( I have to change a regular tampon in 1 hour and 30 mins and a super lasts me about 2-3 hours) I'm worried that it's never going to end! Is this just a side effect of starting the birth control, since it's the first month? I'm worried that my cycle is going to be totally messed up.
Since I got my period before the inactive pills, should I skip them and go right to the active pills of the next pack?

I tried calling the office of my doctor, but I would have to set up an appointment to get my questions answered and I really need an answer soon. I'm kind of freaking myself out here!

Thanks for the help!

[sourpuss]

I think if you just keep taking them as directed your body will adjust. Give it a few months to get on a regular cycle and things should even out. Remember to start the active pills on time, don't wait for your period to end.

[Tiff27]

I plan on continuing to take it. I'm just confused as to what's going on. I guess it's just a side effect. I hope it ends soon though! I'm getting sick of it being so heavy and lasting so long!

[sourpuss]

It will get better. If it's still like this after a few months, maybe talk to your doctor about a different pill.

[lime_lemur]

I've been on and off all sorts of birth controls within the past year ever since I got sick in the hospital and had to stop taking it for a few months. I was on Orth Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 3 years, and it really regulated and shortened my periods for me. But I always took it on the first day of my period.. I'm not entirely sure why your doctor told you to start taking it then. Everyone responds differently to different kinds of birth control. Lo tended to make me throw up or feel nauseous after the first pill or two every month, but my periods were like 2 or three days.

So this is the first time you've ever taken BC? Keep taking it, because your body always had a hard time adjusting to new pill. I've barely had a regular period for the past year because I've tried three different types of birth control. They'll eventually regulate after a month or two.

I kinda miss those nifty radial pill packs that Lo comes in, lol.

[Tiff27]

"I kinda miss those nifty radial pill packs that Lo comes in, lol."
echoskybound, I love the dial packs! They are so easy to use!

I'm now so confused as to why my doctor told me to start taking the pills right away instead of waiting until my next period. I now feel like she told me to do something that was wrong or completely unnecessary! :-/
My period is still kind of heavy, I went through a super in 3 1/2 hours, which is longer than before, so I think it's finally getting lighter! yay!
I really hope this doesn't happen again next month. It's been such an annoyance having to go through so many tampons, feeling weak and tired, and in constant worry of leaking!

[Tiff27]

Just wanted to give an update. My period finally ended today, so I had it for 11 days. I've been doing some searching and found other forums on different sites where women complain of long periods after starting birth control. Some even talk about their period being very heavy with clots. So I'm pretty sure that it was just a side effect. I hope it doesn't happen again next month!

[lizzardb63]

I was on Ortho Tri Cylen Lo twice in my life, both for 3 months each. That birth control specifically made my periods last 10 days and I always started a few days before the inactive pills. I think your doctor should have told you to wait until the first day of your next period, but it doesnt matter much. I just think it would have made things easier to adjust to. I switched to Yaz after that and my periods were lighter and shorter. There were only 4 inactive pills with yaz instead of 7 with the ortho. I am no longer on any birth control pills now because they caused depression and extreme mood swings. (I always have depression to begin with so it was a risk i took and it didn't work out, everyone's different). If things don't change after the 3rd month, because that's usually how long it takes for your body to adjust, i would ask for a different pill. Everyone's bodies act different on birth control, just gotta figure out which one you like best!