i just had a baby 5 months ago and had an absent period for about 5 months. i finally did get a period which has lasted 3.5 weeks. i called my dr and the nurse told me to take ibuprofen every 6 hrs around the clock for about 5 days no longer than 5 days.  i am to do this because it will help the bleeding to decrease. i was told to do that and since i'm on birth control my period will and should go back to normal and the bleeding won't be excessive! have you heard of this?
205791
your body has been through total madness hormones everywhere as well as emotions....despite using the pill ur periods may still be all over the place due to the changes your body has been going through...as for the ibuprophen i have only heard that anything with asprin in thins the blood (more bleeding occours) so avoid any asprins and if your at all worried consult your doctor and ask for a secound opinion if you feel he hasnt been to thorough
380542
I've been on the ring for about 3 years.  I love it.  I actually chose not to get my period at all so I cange it the 1st of every month.  My OB said it was fine to go without getting my period at all or I can go every three months...at the end of my third month I would take it out for a week then put a new one in on the 1st as usual.  But I had stopped using it back in April since my husband and I had decided to try to have another baby.  I noticed that my sex drive has increased a bit since I am no longer using it...I had realized during the 3 years of using it, that my sex drive had slowly decreased,  I thought it was because I had a baby and I was tired and stressed with work, my daughter and keeping up the house.  But I think now that the birthcontrol had a little to do with it too.  But other then that the Nuva-Ring was GREAT...at first my husband felt it...but after a few times he didnt even notice it.  Good Luck!
163408
I know that getting on the pill is something you don't want to do, but it would be best.  Not having your period for that long of a time can cause serious problems.  If nothing else, your doc should put you on a hormone to force you to have a period once every three months.  This is only a ten day hormone treatment and is not like the BCP.
231946
it all depends on what your cycle was like before you started the shot. if you were irregular when u started then chances are u will be irregular when u get off. it may take up to 2 yrs or more for your body to get back to where it was before the shot. You may want to bring this up with ur OB the next time you visit. I totally understand wat you are sayin i was on the shot for 5 yrs and  now its going on 2 since i have been off and the time of periods change sometimes i have one and some times i dont. but talk to your OB
355087
Since you have recently started your menstrual cycle, your hormones and everything may not be in balance. I would go to see a gynecologist and see what he/she recommends for you.  It is typical for them to prescribe oral contraceptives to help control and regulate your menstrual cycle.\n\nBy recent....I mean, that you haven't had one for 5 or more years.
329443
It's normal to not have a period while you're nursing.  This is because you should not be fertile while you're nursing (although don't rely on that for birth control since there's a chance that you might be fertile).  Once you start weaning the baby, your period should return.  Most likely, you not having periods is because of breastfeeding, not because of the pill.
561898
i'v been on the pill for that reason for 5yrs!! i came off it 2 months ago, and so far (fingers crossed) my periods have been lighter and shorter! on the pregnancy side of things, yes it is hard for some but not for others. my mate got pregnant after 3weeks of being off the pill, and i'm still trying 2mnths later! it says on the packet it could take up to 2yrs to get pregnant after you stop taking them. but if your not trying for a baby then be safe, coz theres no gaurenties. good luck.
131692
Some periods can go on 9 to 11 days.  It is perfectly normal.  But when was the last time you had it (IUD)checked?  That might make a difference.  But otherwise I wouldn't be alarmed.
512149
I wish I could help you, because I have a similar problem.  I just put on my new patch yesterday.  I am supposed to be patch free NEXT monday and begin my period NEXT week, but I started my period today! Is this normal??  Should I tell my doctor? Yeesh.
380112
If you stopped taking birth control, you are not experiancing break through bleeding. Break through bleeding is a term used only to describe bleeding while taking active hormones. \n\nWhat you are experiencing is a period. If you were irresponsible about going off birth control and stopped half way through your pack, then the bleeding could last much longer than your regular period and your cycle is going to take some time to go back to normal. You messed up your hormonal cycle. If you were smart about it and waited until the end of a pack to go off birth control, your bleeding should only last as long as it usually does each month when you get your period. \n\nSince you are planning on becoming pregnant, you should wait about 2 to 3 full natural cycles to attempt to get pregnant. Right now your body is getting used to being off hormones and you may not ovulate for a few months or experience irregular cycles. It may be better to wait. No worries though, if you were fertile before going on the pill, you should have no problems becoming pregnant soon. \n\nThese sorts of questions should always be directed at your prescribing doctor though, so go see your doc!
281852
You betcha! I'm on my period right now cuz I missed two damn pills!! And I was in the middle of my damn pack. (Sorry if thats too much info lol.)\n\nWhen your not on any BC, you period comes every 28-35 days depending on ur cycle. Right? It knows when to come. BUT when your on birth contol, the pill is tricking your body to think its pregnant, so it prevents your period, and when you stop taking these pills your body knows your not preg and starts getting rid of the blood, fluids and uterin lining (i.e. your period). So, considering we're all tricking our bodies, you could have your period, go on your pills for a week or two, stop taking them and it would come again. \n\nIt sucks, I know, but its a good way to remember to take your pills or you will suffer the consequences of getting your period more then you should. And I'm sure we can all agree that thats the last thing we need or want.\n\nP.S.- If your period comes, DO NOT try and stop it by taking your pills when you're already bleeding, it will make your period heavier and longer! Trust me. (This is a whole nother subject that I'm not even gunna get into unless you wanna know, then by all means send me an e-mail.)\n\nHope this helped!\n\n****** I just read the answer above mine, ok NO, you never have to take a break from your pills! If you don't believe me, look it up on the net or ask your doctor! Taking a break is completely unnecessary. The pills need to be constantly taken to be regulated in your body. If not, they won't be effective towards pregnany. *******
315100
YEs it's very, very normal not to have a period after a prolonged course of contraceptive pills, (providing you are using alternate birth control obviously!)\n\nIt can take the body up to 12 months to re-establish a regular cycle after being on the pill, try to enjoy the break from cramping, and don't worry - you know it only makes them later the more you worry!!\n\nIt is basically due to the 'artifical' periods you have when you are on the pill, which are induced and regulated by the hormones.  It just takes the body a while to settle down, and if you are lucky you might just have light spotting for a few months. \n\nTRY AND ENJOY!!
263077
I got one about 2 years ago, and it was an awesome decision on my end. I had been taking birth control for years, paying all types of money for it every month and always switching brands.  Since I got this, I do not know it is even there and even my health has gotten a little better. There is a little cramping at first, but it is worth it. Just uncomfortable. You don't get your periods that much and eventually kinda just go away!! I would defintely recommend this. Plus, when you are ready to have kids, you just go back to the doctor and get it removed. Good Luck!!\n\nTake some tylenol before you go to get it in though!! Just a heads up!
385487
Yes, it's normal. It's like when you are pregnant you do not get a period for nine months and the blood just builds up inside and finally when you have the kid you have a really heavy period for like three weeks. You can try taking midol. It should help you feel better.
479934
You can use birth control pills to safely skip your period for as many times a year as you like, but many medical doctors reccomend having at least 3 or 4 periods per year. There are some women who use 'the pill' to skip their periods all the time though.\n\n Menstrual supression works better if you are using a monophasic pill such as Alesse as opposed to a triphasic pill like Ortho-tricyclen lo. Check your pill packet. Are all the pills in the package the same colour and the same dosage? If so, you are taking a monophasic pill. Just skip your placebo week or your 'week off' and move on to your next pack.\n\n It's okay to do this, but if you don't believe me (and you should never believe any one on the internet giving away medical advice) check with your doctor, pharmacist or a 24 hour nurse hotline.\n\nIf you are using the patch, it's not advisable to skip your period this way because of the recent problems with side effects and blood clots that patch users have experience. Any low dose combination birth control pil should work fine. Pills with 30ug of estrogen or less. (most new pills are considered low dose)
175479
Yes you could be pregnant but not because of the lack of bleeding. I wouldn't be alarmed, it takes our bodies a while to really adjust to the pill. The pill basically is tricking your body with hormones and it can take 3-6 months to adjust. If you miss your next menstrual cycle, take a pregnancy test. To help your body adjust quickly, take the pill at the same time every day. This will also ensure the highest effectiveness.
193564
Yes this is perfectly normal... when i first got my period it lasted about a week and a half, then i got it again about 3 weeks later. Your period will be irregular to begin with until your body gets used to the change. Once this happens you will only get it roughly once a month and most periods only last for about 3-7 days depending on the individual.\n\nIf further down the track your periods continue to be irregular you might want to consider the pill (contraceptive). The pill will make your period regular and will stop you from bleeding for as long. The bonus out of this also is that you can tell exactly when you'll get your next period and the pill also gives you the option to skip periods which is actually good for girls (only if you skip it once in a blue moon, so like say every 3-4 months).\n\nHope this info helped, if you have any further questions consult your doctor as they are the best people to get this kind of info from. Good Luck Hun : )