Ladies - question!

So I am on the pill and I have been on some kind of hormonal b/c since I was 14 for a variety of medical reasons.  The last few years if I am very very stressed out I tend to get a breakthrough period.  I don't understand how this works.  If my hormones can rage enough to over ride the b/c to cause a period does that mean it would still work to prevent pregnancy? It makes me so nervous.  My analytical brain says that when you stop taking the pill you get withdrawal bleeding - so if I bleed mid month does that mean my hormones are too low?

Great question. I know that if you have D or vomiting, it can stop the absorption of that day's pill . . . . so one thing to talk to the doc about would be if you are having either of those. I wonder if they can test to see if you are anovulatory (not ovulating). I bet your question and answers will help others here who depend on "the pill" for b/c. Be sure to post with info if/when you talk to your GYN. Blessings!

I agree that if you have D then you may not be absorbing the bcp as well. If you think absorbtion is the issue could you try Nuvaring or the injection? It could also just be the dose is too low. But in my mind breakthrough bleeding is something you should discuss with a gyno.

Fitzy, I do think it is not unheard of to have breakthru bleeding from stress. I usually get a period during finals week. But I would ask the gyn about all this.

You should definitely talk to your Dr. Maybe you should look into a different form of bc. I always had break through bleeding with the pill as well as long periods which is suppose to be the opposite. I tried many different kinds of pills, the patch etc. and decided to give up on them as I always had bleeding issues. I have the Murina sp? IUD now and my periods are better but still longer than they said they would be. Most woman have little to no bleeding at all and of course I fall into that small percent. I hope you get some answers, keep us posted. Good luck!