question about the "mini-pill" (progetrone only)

[Ashelen]

aren't you supposed to NOT have your period while on the mini-pill? Because I have it every month like clockwork, but the insert with my BCPs says that you should stop ovulating on so many of your cycles and that even on the cycles you ovulate your period should be light. But I've used CM monitoring and OPKs over the last two cycles just to see if I was ovulating and yep...and my period has been just as it always has -heavy as heck, lol. So I'm wondering...maybe the mini-pill isn't protecting me as well as it might? I'm kinda worried about it because the only other girl around where I live who is on the mini-pill says that her periods stopped when she started taking it.

any input is appreciated

[Ashelen]

ahem I wanted to put a little addendum....because I realize that "I kicked my husband out of the house" and "we're fine if we DO get pregnant" seems a little...er...contradictory? LOL...but I wasn't kicking him out for a divorce, I was kicking him out so I didn't throw a pie in his face or something because my period had me really moody and he was being a child. Just thought I should clarify so I don't come of sounding a bit crazy ;-)

[Ashelen]

Thanks ladies I have had such a crazy week I totally forgot that I asked this question, lol. Here's more of my situation that I didn't get a chance to ask (I kicked my husband out of the house over the weekend...he came back, but as you can imagine it's been a heck of a week so far):
we avoid intercourse during my ovulation time. i'm very good at predicting my ovulation because I get very clear signs, and both times I got pregnant I was able to pinpoint my upcoming ovulation and conceive the first month trying...so we do that for a few days.

also...I take it at EXACTLY the same time. you guys would laugh if you saw my schedule...I have Windows 7 and it has a "sticky notes" program that I keep open all the time on my desktop, and when I take my BCP I put the time, date, day of the week, etc....and if you look for the last FOUR MONTHS every single dose was taken between 9pm and 1030pm....except when I missed one about 3 months ago due to kidney stones making me vomit, lol.

So I mean we're taking precautions and not just having sex straight across my ovulation dates or anything, and if we DID get pregnant right now we'd be fine with it (we've discussed the "what ifs") but I don't have much of a choice as far as switching BCs goes....because of my headaches (if any of you remember that whole deal), progestrone is the only friendly bc for my body....and as for condoms, well...ah..we could use them, but the scar that I have left over from my tears with my daughter's delivery always chafe with a condom no matter how much lube we use and it always makes me bleed. the doctor said they could fix it, but it would take surgery.

So..yes, I sound like an irresponsible teenager whining about not wanting to use condoms, lol, but we really do try to avoid my ovulation dates.

I was just curious about the whole period thing....like right now I'm having a completely normal period, and it just make me wonder. DH is allergic to spermicides, so we can't do that either (sorry thinking/typing aloud here).

Hm i'll have to brainstorm...but thanks, ladies :-) I just wasn't sure if anyone else had their period while on the mini-pill.

[Limonada]

I was on Micronor....but seeing as I recently stopped BFing, I've switched to a combo pill (Apri - generic form of Marvelon), have just about finished my first pack of it.  

I didn't start my period until 11 months PP - and I'd been taking the minpill since 6 weeks PP.  I was still on it when my period came back and I was having my usual "o" cramping - so I figure I was still ovulating...but DH and I were using condoms as well so I wasn't evern concerned about it.

The safest thing to do - as others have said - is to use another form of BC while you're taking it, ESPECIALLY at your most fertile time.  The mini BCP is NOT reliable!!

[spade22]

The minimill is not a very effective form of birth control and must be used with a secondary form of birth control to prevent pregnancy (spermicide or condoms) - my dr was very clear about this when it was prescribed to me. Not sure about e answer to your question though.

[HeatherLF16]

Maybe her period stopped because she was breastfeeding while taking it?  When I was researching birth control options after I gave birth I looked into the mini pill as well.  To my understanding it is the same as regular birth control in the sense that it stops you from ovulating, but you have your period anyway just like on a regular combo pill.  Unless of course you are breastfeeding.  Mini pill you have to be more careful with your doses and have to take it the exact same time everyday or else it's less effective.  Regular birth control you can miss a dose once and double up and be fine.  I am on ortho tri cyclen because I am not breastfeeding and it has helped with my heavy periods.  I would for sure talk to your doc about it.  You could try that birth control where you skip your period for three months all together if you wanted to get rid of the AF for a while :)

[SunWorshiper_26]

The mini pill is not as effective as other forms but it's the one that is safe while BF. I would tell your OB about it and see what they say. I would assume that no it isn't effective for you. Sorry :(

[Ashelen]

sorry in the title that should be *progestrone only....