Getting back on birth control?

[Shortcake26]

So my boyfriend and I have been on a break, and therefore, I've been off of birth control to save money. We're in the process of getting back together, and along with this, becoming sexually active again, so I need to get back on birth control. However, I was on the patch for a full year, and I'm not sure when to expect my next period (so I can start a new pack of patches within the first 5 days).

In everyone's experience, do you tend to get your period about 28 days after the last one started after your last one? If I was on the birth control for 12 months, is it possible there are enough hormones in my body to prevent a normal period for a month or two? If I don't get my period within the week I'm due (day 28), then should I start patches anyway?

The last time I started my period was on August 31st, so I'm due on September 27th (as the 28th day).

 

[SweetErika]

So my boyfriend and I have been on a break, and therefore, I've been off of birth control to save money. We're in the process of getting back together, and along with this, becoming sexually active again, so I need to get back on birth control. However, I was on the patch for a full year, and I'm not sure when to expect my next period (so I can start a new pack of patches within the first 5 days).

In everyone's experience, do you tend to get your period about 28 days after the last one started after your last one?

On BC, it ranged from 28-30. Off, it's more variable for me. When I've gone off BC, it's really varied...sometimes it was exactly 28 days, but others, it was up to 2 months.

If I was on the birth control for 12 months, is it possible there are enough hormones in my body to prevent a normal period for a month or two?

Yes, it's possible it will not come in 28 days.

If I don't get my period within the week I'm due (day 28), then should I start patches anyway?

No, you need to wait until you have your next period, and start the patch like you would normally (whether it's Day 1, or the first Sunday after it starts...I don't know which you were doing, but stick with that). Whatever you do, condoms are a good, and in my opinion, necessary idea for at least the first cycle (I've always gone 2 cycles), longer if either of you have interacted with anyone else during the breakup.

If you want to confirm this info (always a good idea), call up your doctor, any pharmacist, or local Planned Parenthood.

 

[Shortcake26]

Thanks for the info. But being fairly young, I'm very frightened of the idea of not getting my period on a monthly basis. If this happens, how do I handle it emotionally? It's one of the most nervewracking things that I can imagine happening.

Also, getting back on birth control is really important to me for safety reasons. If I don't get my period for three months, isn't it just less safe than putting on the patch anyway? Is there any way to get around this?

Also, I'm really not sure how the how getting off birth control thing works. When I was on it, I got my period a few days after taking off my third patch, after the hormones worked their way through my system. But now that I haven't had any hormones in my system for a month, I could possibly skip a period? Anyone understand how that works?

 

[CorsetLvr]

My best suggestion is to get back onto BC and stay on it. Regardless of whether you are in a relationship or not. You wouldn't be the first woman that is suddenly swept off her feet in a spontaneous moment of lust and left totally unprepared for it, with possibly tragic results. At the very least, carry some condoms with you and don't expect a guy to be doing so.

 

[Shortcake26]

Yes, that's the plan for me, since I don't like this waiting around and uncertainty.

Is it possible for me to start the Depo shot if I don't get my period soon? I know you have to wait for your period with the patch and pill--is it the same for Depo? I just really want to be back on birth control!

 

[BlueDaisy]

I went for an appointment about this very subject about 1.5 years ago after it became apparent to my hubby and I that we were going to be getting a divorce (still hasn't happened, but I'm working on it). He had a vasectomy after our son (now 12) was born. That particular child was conceived on birth control pills.

I'm almost 45 and don't want or need any more kids (also have a set of 19 year old twin girls). The nurse practitioner who saw me on that visit did a very thorough discussion of the subject with me and together we came to the conclusion that if I decided to have relations with a man other than my husband (yeah, like that's gonna happen) that I should stick with condoms and added spermacide. She based her opinions on my age, the fact that I already had a BCP failure, my family history, etc.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[SweetErika]

Thanks for the info. But being fairly young, I'm very frightened of the idea of not getting my period on a monthly basis. If this happens, how do I handle it emotionally? It's one of the most nervewracking things that I can imagine happening.

You're frightened because not getting your period monthly would make you think you might be pregnant? I understand that certainly, and have had the scares and "What if..." scenarios running rampant in my head every now and then in the past few years. Once in awhile on BC, my period would be 1-3 weeks late, or I'd miss it altogether. However, I was usually under a lot of stress, or there was something else physical going on when that happened.

I don't understand why you think you wouldn't get it monthly though. All I was saying is that it's possible you won't get your period on schedule after coming off of the patch. You had your period last month, and I'm assuming you haven't had sex since then, so you just need to wait for your next one to come, then put the patch on like you did when you started it in the first place. Then, you'll do the 3 weeks on, 1 off pattern like you always have, and everything should be regular. If you have had sex between your last period and now and are concerned, just go pick up a pregnancy test for peace of mind.

Also, getting back on birth control is really important to me for safety reasons. If I don't get my period for three months, isn't it just less safe than putting on the patch anyway? Is there any way to get around this?

What do you mean by "safety reasons"? Avoiding pregnancy?

I think you're jumping ahead of yourself, considering you're just now due for your next period IF you are in fact a 28-day person (some women are 25, some are 35, and everything in between). Is it safer to put on the patch like this Sunday than waiting for your period to come? I'd say no, unless you're planning on using it continuously, and I don't think that's recommended. The problem with not starting it in conjunction with your period is that your body could be messed up and ovulate during the week you're off the patch, leaving you open to pregnancy.

Again, please call up your doctor, pharmacist, or Planned Parenthood, and they can answer all of your questions with certainty. I'm pretty confident in my answers, but I'm not a medical professional, so you shouldn't rely solely on my advice.

Also, I'm really not sure how the how getting off birth control thing works. When I was on it, I got my period a few days after taking off my third patch, after the hormones worked their way through my system. But now that I haven't had any hormones in my system for a month, I could possibly skip a period? Anyone understand how that works?

It's different for every woman. You might get it today, or in the next week or two, or your body might be confused by the lack of hormones, and wait for a few more weeks or something. Reason would suggest you'll get it soon, but as long as you're certain you're not pregnant, don't worry about it. Worrying about it could possibly delay it as well. Your body's going to do what it's going to do, so just take a deep breath, and let it happen.

Yes, that's the plan for me, since I don't like this waiting around and uncertainty.

Is it possible for me to start the Depo shot if I don't get my period soon? I know you have to wait for your period with the patch and pill--is it the same for Depo? I just really want to be back on birth control!

I agree, staying on it might be a good idea. Planned Parenthood and most university health centers offer BC at very low prices, if you're still concerned about the financial aspect.

You'd need to talk to a health professional about Depo, but please, please, please do your research first. Yes, it's a good option for some women (particularly those who can't remember the pill, patch, or ring daily/weekly/monthly), but I've heard more horror stories about it, enough to never do it myself or recommend it to any woman who can handle the pill, patch, or ring. The fact that you're basically helpless if you have negative side effects is pretty damn scary, IMO...at least you can just stop using the pill, patch, or ring, and have the hormones out of your system relatively quickly. Yes, every drug has problems, but I haven't heard the same negative feedback about other forms of hormonal BC as Depo, and would be scared to try it.

 

[Sybarist]

Even if you took a poll of every woman on Lit you would not be able to accurately guesstimate your own personal cycle...

From personal experience, I can add that no matter how regular your cycle is there is no way to exactly guess when your most fertile time is. Both my kids dated later through ultrasound than either my or my doctor's guesses- and I had been plotting and charting for baby number two for almost a year!!

For your piece of mind, wait until you know for sure that you are protected before you have intercourse!! No matter how hard it may seem to wait for either of you (and I am thinking there may be some extra pressure on you in this case?? ) it is not worth the risk.

You said you are young.
That means there will be lots of time for catch up sex after you get back on your patch... (Also lots of things you won't get to do if you take the risk and lose!!! )
Think of all the other ways to have fun until you are safe and sure...

Good luck!
Syb.

 

[Shortcake26]

I want to get back on birth control for the peace of mind and the regularities it provides. I had the most painful cramps (as well as heavy 6-day periods) before I started the patch, but after I was on the hormones, things evened out and lightened, which was wonderful.

I'm planning on switching to the shot simply because the patch caused me more worry than anything. I couldn't do a daily pill because I'm too forgetful short-term, but the weekly thing was okay. But I would wear the patch on my bottom, more to the side where my underwear line would start to dip, and every time I went to the bathroom or took a shower, I was just way too paranoid about catching the edges or getting water where the patch would "tunnel up."

Don't get me wrong--the thing worked fine for a full year. But it got to the point where I would slap my boyfriend's hands away if they even wandered near that point. Maybe I wasn't wearing it in the best place, but just the idea of an external patch that could flip up or tunnel up on me just made me more paranoid than anything. I think having the hormones inside my body from the beginning will be a great peace of mind.

Thanks for your warnings about Depo. I understand it's a pretty big committment since it's a 3 month dose instead of a one week dose with the patches. I got a prescription from my doctor and she seemed okay with the idea and was very casual about it. She just stressed the point that I needed to get the first shot as soon as possible during the off-week of patches.

Once again, thanks for all you're great advice! I'm only 20, and have been sexually active for a year, so this is just a little overwhelming at times, so I'm glad to know there are so many people who are willing to help.

 

[Shortcake26]

Also, about my pregnancy concern: I'm most likely overreacting. I just really am afraid of the idea of skipping a period when I'm no longer on birth control. I also don't like the idea of skipping one or more periods and then having to wait one or more months to go back on birth control. But here's a rundown anyways, to let you know about the situation and give me any new advice you might have in light of the new details.

The last time I had unprotected sex was on Thursday, August 25th. It was my third patch week, and I removed the patch the following Sunday. I got my period on Wednesday, August 31st.

I didn't put on another patch at the end of my off week, because my boyfriend and I were officially on a break at that point. I figured this would be safe because I'd already gotten my period, and sperm can only survive in the body for up to seven days, and I would've had to wait 10 days to put on the first patch of a new box.

In the past month, my boyfriend and I have had sex roughly 4 or 5 times, always with condoms. He has never come inside me with the condom on because we thought it would be safer not to risk that. One did break, around the middle of September, but he pulled out, took it off, and I didn't feel any moisture on the tip of him, and he didn't go inside me again after that.

Also, like most young people do, I'm reading way too deeply into things and thinking, "Oh, my God, I have fatigue, that's a pregnancy symptom" when I'm really just tired because I'm a college student. The main thing that worries me is my recent increased urination, but it feels more like a kidney infection than anything else.

If any of you nice people could reassure me, it would be much appreciated. In all this confusion, I've realized that my normal cycle without BC was 30 days, so I shouldn't be worried until after Thursday, I suppose.

 

[SweetErika]

Also, about my pregnancy concern: I'm most likely overreacting. I just really am afraid of the idea of skipping a period when I'm no longer on birth control. I also don't like the idea of skipping one or more periods and then having to wait one or more months to go back on birth control. But here's a rundown anyways, to let you know about the situation and give me any new advice you might have in light of the new details.

The last time I had unprotected sex was on Thursday, August 25th. It was my third patch week, and I removed the patch the following Sunday. I got my period on Wednesday, August 31st.

I didn't put on another patch at the end of my off week, because my boyfriend and I were officially on a break at that point. I figured this would be safe because I'd already gotten my period, and sperm can only survive in the body for up to seven days, and I would've had to wait 10 days to put on the first patch of a new box.

In the past month, my boyfriend and I have had sex roughly 4 or 5 times, always with condoms. He has never come inside me with the condom on because we thought it would be safer not to risk that. One did break, around the middle of September, but he pulled out, took it off, and I didn't feel any moisture on the tip of him, and he didn't go inside me again after that.

Also, like most young people do, I'm reading way too deeply into things and thinking, "Oh, my God, I have fatigue, that's a pregnancy symptom" when I'm really just tired because I'm a college student. The main thing that worries me is my recent increased urination, but it feels more like a kidney infection than anything else.

If any of you nice people could reassure me, it would be much appreciated. In all this confusion, I've realized that my normal cycle without BC was 30 days, so I shouldn't be worried until after Thursday, I suppose.

Nope, you shouldn't worry at all if you got your period after the last time you had sex.

If you're not completely decided on Depo, you might do well to look into the NuvaRing. You put it in, and leave one ring in for 3 weeks, take it out for the week of your period, and insert a new ring the following week. Not likely to come out, easy to remember, and I've heard often fewer side effects than the mid-dose pills or patch because it's more localized. Plus, you still get the lighter/shorter period benefits, etc.

I was on tons of different formulations of the pill for 8 years, and finally quit last year to give my body a break, but if I was going to go back to hormonal, I'd definitely give NuvaRing a try first.

Good luck!