I've been on extended cycle BC for years, but I recently changed to generic seasonale and also recently lost ~60 pounds.
I was previously diagnosed with PCOS and historically didn't have regular cycles, but often cycled at the most inopportune times - like while traveling internationally or on the weekend I planned to go to the beach. Thanks, ovaries.
Since getting on the generic seasonale and losing weight, I've found that my body is "cycling" after 3-4 weeks on a new pack (i.e. I'm having a period about a month after my previous period) BUT I'm still taking a pill every day.
I know that these extended cycle BCs can be prone to spotting, but what I'm dealing with is more than just a "spot."
So...
1. I seem to believe some old wife's tale about not using tampons unless you're on your period, but since I'm dealing with period-volume flow, but I'm not technically "on my period," is it ok to use tampons?
2. Do you have any suggestions with how I should deal with this situation? Do I stop taking pills and let myself have a period, or do I continue using pills and let it go away on its own? Other ideas?
3. Does this sound like it's more related to weight loss (i.e. the PCOS symptoms have been alleviated by the weight loss and my body is trying to cycle normally) or to the generic formula?
Re: TMI question about seasonale BC
It sounds to me like your body is not getting along with the generic version of your pill. I would talk to your dr. about how to change that - I'm assuming you want to go 3 months w/o a period if you're on extended-cycle BCP, but if not, maybe switching to a regular 28-day cycle pill would work better for your body.
As to the tampon issue, if you're bleeding as much as you would on your period, you should be fine to use them. You're just not supposed to use them if you're not actually bleeding, or if you're just spotting a little.
28/60............................ ........................1/5
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Ugh. It's so much more expensive. =(
When I first started seasonique I had a couple months where I was getting break through bleeding so I would stop taking the pill and just let my body do what it needed. Once I stopped bleeding I would resume the pill.
I let my gyno know what at my yearly check up and he said that a doctor just came out with a study that said you could stop taking the pill for 3 days and then once you resume you shod stop bleeding. The study said that sometimes your body just needs to "reset" a little and 3 days seemed to be the magic number.
I'm sorry I dont have the study i can copy to you. This was just what my doc told me. Of course you know that if you stop the pill you'll need to use other protection
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