Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: piggybacking birth control pills

Alesse should not be used for piggybacking and skipping periods. Only pills that are monophasic should be used where each pill the packs will contain the exact same hormones amounts. This can also be better for IBS (no fluctuating hormones) and for side effects like nausea etc associated with fluctuating hormones.

I have been skipping periods for a long time now, and have been on 2 pills (switch to fix acne problem) and both worked fine. They are Ortho 1/31 (NOT ortho tricyclen) and Marvelon.

I also don't suggest the progesterone-only ones, they are meant for people who cannot tolerate a normal combination pill, and have more side effects/risks associated with them.

Many monophasic combination pills are low-dose, and there are some that can help more with endometiosis. Normally your doctor would be able to tell you which one is best, but from the sounds of it your doctor doesn't understand bc pills very much.

Another safe option is the Nuva Ring. This has much much lower doses of hormones and should be easily tolerated. It's safer than the Depo shot, and you should stop getting periods.

I suggest going off or going back to using Alesse the 'normal' way until you can switch pills, which should stop your period. Sorry that you had to endure 17 days it sounds just awful!

Hope you get this resolved quickly,

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Kat

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