Skipping Periods
#18840 - 08/28/03 09:05 AM
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Obviously a question for all the ladies... 
I've always had painful cramps since my menstrual periods began - inherrited that from my mom. Lately, though, they've been horrifically painful to the point where I am doubling over and fainting from the pain. So I talked to my ob-gyn who took one look at my file, saw that I had IBS, and told me the IBS was making my cramps worse. She says that when I get my menstrual cramps, it stresses my body - then my colon starts acting up as a result of the stress with abdominal pains - which starts the cycle all over again by stressing out my ovaries (or whichever organ starts the cramps). She says I get stuck in a vicious cycle and since I'm already on the highest dose of pain relievers without going into narcotics, there's really nothing she can do about the pain.
What she did suggest was that I "piggyback" my birth control pills so that I only have my period ever third month. On the 4th week of my pills, instead of taking the white pills that would normally start my period, I should just start taking a new pack immediately.
Now I've done this before, but have only skipped a maximum of one month - and this was because my medical tests (sigmoidoscopy, etc) always seem to fall on the week of my period. (Murphy's law) I've read in magazines that there is no scientific evidence that says skipping your period will be harmful to your health.
What I'm wondering is if anyone else has done this? I'm scared that skipping my period twice will somehow make the cramps 10x worse come than third month. But at the same time, it might be worth it to only have to take days off of work once every three months instead of every month.
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- Jennifer
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Although I never tried it when I was on the pill, I've heard of it. And, I also heard that it's safe.
As a guess, I wouldn't think the cramps would be any worse. Probably the same as when you have your period now, because piggybacking is just putting off what would happen, not increasing your period or anything.
Again, that's just a guess. Hopefully, someone else will have some concrete details for you. 
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One of my bridesmaids does this all the time....and she is fine. However - you may be a little "touchy" the first month because your hormones have to readjust. But I know it is safe and you will be fine.
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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Hi, I've been skipping every other month for about a year and a half. Sometimes when I try to skip 2 in a row, I will have some breakthrough bleeding. With going every other month, I don't notice the cramps to be any worse, sometimes I may bleed a little more but nothing to really complain about. I do notice I will get the "PMS" symptoms (grumpy, sore breast, and water retention) even on the months I skip but it doesn't seem to bother my IBS nearly as much and when I actually have a period. Sometimes I will also get more constipated during the "PMS" phase regardless if I'm skipping that month or not so I usually up my fiber supplements and insoluable fiber that week to compensate. My OBGYN also said there was no reason to have a period every month so why would you want to?!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thank you guys soo much! I feel so much better now about the whole thing.
Also thanks for the warning about the breakthrough bleeding, Michelle. My OB/Gyn didn't tell me about that part and now I'll be expecting it 
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- Jennifer
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Yeah, the breakthrough bleeding only happened the first time I skipped than when I tried to skip 2 in a row. I think your body adjusts after a couple months, so if it does happen, stick with it, it will probably go away!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I've had the same problem but I never took that many pills to stop my period. I feared having a period because every month the periods became more and more painful.
It is true about the IBS causing worse periods for some people. Our bodies go into mild contractions when we have our period so it stand to figure that our colon would do the same thing.
Have you ever tried the depo shot? It should stop the period all together. It's what I finally had to do because the pain was so bad and the regular pills and major pain killers didn't help. The minute my period started I would be on the toilet with the worst IBS attacks that I ever had.
I finally figured it was worth having the depo shot to avoid the problem all together. Plus you wouldn't believe how much money you save on tampons, panty liners, and pads!
That was the solution to my problem. I had all the test done and surgery to make sure nothing was wrong and nothing was so... I felt that the shot was my option and it is an inexpensive perscrition.
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Unfortunately I have needle-phobia so don't think I would do the depo shot. I'm already terrified about getting bloodwork done next Friday. I'd much rather take the pills and have the cramps - yes, I am a huge wimp when it comes to needles!
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- Jennifer
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I get the shot because it's so easy and it's not like taking blood it's easier but if your are still afraid I think they may also have the depo in pill form now though i'm not sure.
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I'm afraid I've never heard of Depo-Provera in pill form. Besides the birth control pill and Depo, there's Norplant, which is what some of the women my mom used to work with were on--it's implanted in your arm and is effective for up to five years (my mom worked with women with drug and alcohol problems, and these were not women who could afford an "accident" once they got their lives back on track!). But I haven't heard of Depo in a pill form--anyone else?
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