breakthrough bleeding

[Kiddoemo]

this is about the 5th cycle ive had it, and i finally talked to my mom about it. she said shes going to schedule an ob/gyn appt for me. ewwwwww i dont want to. she also said she wants to avoid putting my on BC but i personally opt for that. shes afraid there may be long term effects--please someone tell me there arent? agh...i dont want to go, im scared (first real appt) and i simply want this breakthrough bleeding to stopppppp. any help here? :-/

[Life2k]

If I were your mom I would be more concerned with making sure all your organs, glands, and hormones were healthy. BC doesn't have any long term effects unless that is what gives you the freedom to start having an active sex life. Or you forget to take it and you get preggies, now that is what I call long term complications.

[Foxy]

If I were your mom I would be more concerned with making sure all your organs, glands, and hormones were healthy. BC doesn't have any long term effects


Oh, if only that were true... :furious: Damn Doctors, the propaganda they spread and the blinders they wear :(

[Life2k]

Oh, if only that were true... :furious: Damn Doctors, the propaganda they spread and the blinders they wear :(
I could be wrong. I know how to be wrong. I've been wrong before. Listen to Foxy.

[April]

How old are you? Why are you afraid to see the doctor?

And I've also never read any long term effects of taking the BC Pill. Nothing other than people on these boards saying doctors are uneducated and selling us stuff.

[brownieB26]

What's breakthrough bleeding :confused:

[cymbeline]

Use google and www.webmed and other resources about the subjects. I'm not much up on it.

Beginning of your period may be irratic as I remember. I bet you don't have anything to worry about.

Don't worry about the doctor. If she wants you to go, just go ahead, because what harm is there in it? Think of it as something kind of fun.

Sound okay?

[rincaro]

Personally, I'm of the opinion that BC does have long-term effects. My periods were completely unpredictable when I was a teenager. It's not uncommon.

http://www.johnleemd.com/ has some good information about the hormones we take in BC, and the hormones we ingest and inhale and how they badly affect us.

[CarbLover]

I was spotting for 3 months straight and they put me on BC. That seems to be their solution to everything related to periods, really. I don't mind though, it's nice not having to worry about pregnancy either.

[zoebird]

god the sunset is gorgeous tonite. i'll answer in a few after i watch it. brb

[zoebird]

ok, birth control pills do have long term effects that could be related to ovarian, breast, cervical and uterine cancers, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, thyroid and related endocrine problems, and long-term infertility (requiring more hormones in fertility treatments to bring abour pregnancy).

There are other ways of working out the origins of 'breakthrough bleeding' that don't require putting hormones into your system and preventing pregnancy in regards to sexual activity.

First, i highly suggest that instead of going on BC, you consider fertility charting. From this, you, your mom, and your doctors can determine what the origin of the breakthrough bleeding may be. it'll inform you about how your body works all around. it's easy, fun, and empowering. I recommend two books: Garden of Fertility by Katie Singer and Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

Second, for the prevention of pregnancy, you can use the above method and *consistant* use of barrier contraception. There are many forms of barrier contraception available to you including diaphragm, cervical cap, and condoms. Using these with spermicidal gels may also help, though some people have strong physiological reactions to spermicides, so it may take some doing to find one that works for you. This combination should keep you pregnancy free for many years. But, like any form of birth control, you must be consistant withthe methods.

Personally, i'll never use chemical birth control unless there are absolutely no other options for me. I already know that i will never use fertility medications to try and get pregnant. I think it's horribly dangerous to play with these hormones, when there are alternatives available to us that are natural and healthy. they just take diligence, observation, and being responsible for ourselves rather than letting a doctor be responsable for us.

----

as for going to the ob/gyn, it's not terrible. it's not an 'ewww' experience as i thoroughly enjoy my body, just as it is, and i enjoy learning about it and keeping it healthy. i go for my yearly check up, and that's that. shift your mindset and the whole process will go by easier.

do you want to know what the exam will entail? it's the not-knowing that's the really scary part. It's actually a really simple process that doesn't take very long.

First, you'll likely have a consultation with your doctor where she will ask many questions. She'll probably ask things about your diet, exericse, habits, and routines that may affect your cycle. Next, she'll ask you things about your breakthrough bleeding--when it comes, how heavy, how long it lasts, and so on. Then, you'll probably have the exam.

I've never had an exam for a special reason, like you are, but this is what goes on in a general examination:

it's not much. every doctor is trained to talk to you about what she is going to do before she starts doing anything. She'll often explain the process and answer questions to make sure that you're ok with the situation.

it's very likely that your doctor will start by giving a breast examination. this is to check for lumps of any kind and make sure that your breasts are ok. Next, she'll move into checking your pubic area for any trouble (for instance, cuts and bruises, cysts/pimples, and the like). Next, a small clamp will be put into your vagina to hold the space open. If you're young and still a virgin, the clamp will be very small, likely slightly cold, and there will be lubricant on it to make it go in smoothly. This will hold the vagina open so that the doctor can look at the walls of your vagina and your cervix. She may take a sample from the cervic with a cotton swab for a pap smear--which is a test to determine cervical health by looking at the individual cells.

After this, it's likely that the doctor will remove the clamp and then do a uterus positioning examination. She'll put on new gloves, put lubricant on two of her fingers and place them in your vagina. She'll then press on your lower abdomen and feel the size and position of your uterus. She may also teach you how to do this on yourself--because it really is cool to feel and observe. After that, she'll let you get dressed and return to talk to you about the exam, to answer any questions that you have, and so on.

it's a really easy and painless process. The only thing that makes it painful is nervousness and discomfort. If you're too nervous and you need to calm down, ask your doctor to wait before moving into the new phase of the exam. But, all in all, exams take less than 1/2 hour. THe longest part of the exam is in the talking about what is going on and what your options are regarding how to treat it.

Again, i want to reiterate that birth control pills and similar hormonal treatments are not the only methods available to you. They only treat the symptoms and do not relate to the causes that can usually be easily discovered by simple fertility charting. Then, you can find a way to fix the cause, to cure the problem, rather than to simply treat it.

i wish you all the best! Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes.

[Jes]

I had breakthrough bleeding for the first two years of my period. Also, try to lay off the soy products, if you eat a lot of them. Soy can really mess with my period, I've found.

[Kiddoemo]

oh ok. well thanks for the info, however the idea of someone's fingers in there (other than a special someone's) is kinda scary. i dont know, i kinda feel better about it, but still a bit scared. thanks a lot though, you helped ease some anxiety. <3

[jl770567]

I was spotting for 3 months straight and they put me on BC. That seems to be their solution to everything related to periods, really. I don't mind though, it's nice not having to worry about pregnancy either.
WARNING: jus read this and thought id say something bout it. i took the pill the exact way that ur supposed to (everyday, same time every night, never missed a pill, etc) and right now i have a 22month-old son upstairs and a 1month-old son sitting behind me. even if ur on the pill, alternative precautions should be taken too.
19-year-old mother of 2

[rabid_child]

WARNING: jus read this and thought id say something bout it. i took the pill the exact way that ur supposed to (everyday, same time every night, never missed a pill, etc) and right now i have a 22month-old son upstairs and a 1month-old son sitting behind me. even if ur on the pill, alternative precautions should be taken too.
19-year-old mother of 2

Do you weigh more than 160 lbs? It lowers the effacacy. I've also known people it just didn't work for.

Anywho.. anticipating the first gyno visit is worse than actually going. Its quick and easy.

I've been on BC for 4 yrs and have no qualms about staying on it. My life is unbearable off of it. I've had no bad side effects. I think the 24 advil a day I was taking 10 days out of every 21 was more likely to kill me than the BC. Being on BC is also associated with reduced risk of an assortment of cancers. Do research yourself and with your doctor though. Don't just listen to strangers on the internet.

[Kiddoemo]

lol i weigh 115 (im 15), and im a virgin. yeah....im not worried really about its effectiveness, because to me sex will wait until its absolutely the right guy, and so fourth. i have had ovarian cysts before (ouch ouch ouch) and breakthrough bleeding. reading what youve said, im a little more secure, but i talked to my friend who got on BC without an internal exam (her cycle was crazy) and got a good luagh when she said, "i hope they dont have to root around in your cooter!" haha yeah. i just dont like that idea. i dont know. i think ill be ok, but my appt is scheduled for feb 9th which is less than a month away and im really nervous. anyways, thanks girls

[rabid_child]

They don't do much rooting. Its one-two-six and its done. Sometimes mild cramping with a pap smear, but its nothing worse than a period cramp. My doctor talks to me about things not related to my feet-in-stirrups the entire time, and it kind of distracts me. (So does my dental hygenist now that I think of it, only i'm clothed for that! haha) I think my gyno is actually my favourite doctor because she's quick, efficient, to the point, and good natured.

[zoebird]

re: the pill as failed birth control

it's not just weight that reduces efficacy. some people are put on very low dosages of hormones which work to balance out hormonal problems, but may not work as a form of birth control. This is the case with my sister. Although she now manages many of the hormonal problems through diet, she still takes a very low dose of the pill. Her doctor informed her that a low dose may not work as well as a form of birth control, that she needs to be aware and use other methods. Other higher doses caused problems for her, so the low dose is her only option.

if used as the only method of birth control, it would proove ineffective. this is why cycle charting and other methods are still important as methods of birth control.

re: waiting until the right person before having sex

this is the best idea i've read in a while. it's what i did--and it was/is worth it. i'm still with that right guy. :) yay! he's fabulous. everything works out well when you're consciencious.

re: vulgar language related to medical procedures and anatomical areas

when people use phrases like 'rooting around in your cooter' and the like, i find myself being grossed out. I don't like the vulgar idea of 'rooting around' and calling my lovely feminine parts by vulgar names. I have a vagina, a clitoris, vulva, labia, a clitoral hood, a cervix, a uterus, ovaries, and the like. I do not have a 'cooter,' a 'cootchie,' a 'pussy,' a '****' or whatever other language that you can come up with to demean my anatomy and thereby my sex and gender.

similarly, doctor's don't 'root around;' they examine. they're trained to look for specific problems; they're trained to advise based on those problems. they're trained to be respectful and quick and painless. They're doing something that is appropriate, acceptable, and healthy. they're not doing something as disrespectful as 'rooting around.' In fact, if you are allowing someone whom you care about to touch your genitals in a sexual, loving way, then they are not 'rooting around' either. They are caressing, emoting, sharing, pleasuring, and so on.

changing your language in regards to your body will build confidence about your body and the appropriate ways to care for it. One of the appropriate ways to care for it is to make sure that people don't call your genitals something that they aren't without your permission, that people don't call actions that they would do to you or would have someone else do to you actions that are demeaning and fear-inducing.

Another aspect of taking care of your body is getting regular examinations, particularly if there is a problem. A doctor is going to examine your vagina, cervix, and uterine position. It's not scary, it's not painful, it's not bad or embarassing. It's a simple procedure that is done to take care of your body.

Another aspect of taking care of your body is making sure that you give permission to the individuals who will touch you--particularly in a sexual way. You're never required to have someone touch you in anyway, and knowing yourself, your body, what you want and what you like is an important aspect of this. Similarly, these people or single person will touch you in ways that you find loving, safe, and appropriate. They will not be 'rooting around' in your 'cooter' but more likely gentle caressing your genitals. YOu and your partner may come up with a speical "pet name" for your genitals, but this is neither demeaning nor vulgar, because it is done out of love and common expression of joy in honor of one's sexuality and sexual bonding as a couple.

Remove the vulgar language from your vocabulary and become proud of what and who you are. Have the confidence to take care of your lovely body in all the different ways that it needs to be cared for.

[Kiddoemo]

oh chill mom. :rolleyes: dont worry. i am not at all demeaning my body at all. right now im taking an advanced biology course, and i have deepened my respect for the human body. i simply found it funny the way my friend called it that--nothing more. if i was offended i would say something immediately. i appreciate what you are saying however, the idea of it being a normal procedure makes me a little more secure about it. thanks though.