Health Dept. Blues

[Idunno22]

If anyone goes to the health department for their routine exams then someone may be experiencing the same things as me.  I have been going there since the birth of my son. I finally decided when my son turned three to take myself off of birth control ( i had been on the depo for three years)....well now, after being off of the shot for almost five months, the health department wants me to try birth control pills (for irregular periods).  I am taking them as suggested, but I am a little confused, and they wont shed any light on any of my questions.  Instead they are like "take these pills, we're doctors, we shouldn't have to explain anything to you."
I had a bad experience when i stopped the depo.  I had irregular breakthrough bleeding that would last thirty days at a time.  I am 22. I want more children one day.  But I am afraid that with me just getting off the depo, and then jumping into birth control pills that my cycles will never get right again or my hormones for that matter (had a m/c earlier this month...not very far along)....all I want is regular cycles....something I can go by...or atleast a reason why they are irregular....but the doctors and nurses there just don't seem to be concerned....I think I just needed to air out some of this irritation....thanks for listening...

[Crritter]

Sorryto hear about your Dr.'s  I know that when I am on the pill it really regulates my cycles, I was a mess on depo though.  I'm sure they put you on the pill to get you regular, but keep asking if you are unsure.  Good luck, it can take awhile to get ontrack.

[malqahtani]

If you were on the Depo for 3 years then it's gonna mess you up when you get off.  And you will have breakthrough bleeding, irregular cycles, and so forth for up to 1 year after getting off of it.  There are pamphlets that you should have received when you were first given Depo to further educate you on the side effects.  I think that you should first give it a few months without any bc, just use condoms and if you want to be extra safe wear them and still use the withdrawl method.  Your cycles should be able to regulate themselves, it may take awhile, especially if you were regular before getting on the Depo.  You are just going to have to be patient for a while.  They even warn that with some birth control pills that prolonged usage can affect your cycle and ability to conceive for up to 1 year after you stop using them.  Depo is stronger than the pill, it's one big dose every 3 months.  It will get better, but I would suggest getting off of the pills for a few months.  Good luck.

[Idunno22]

previously (before i got on the shot) i hadn't even had a period...I am the text book version of "you can get pregnant without having a period"....then right after my son was born, they offered me the depo without explaining the side effects until i had already been on it for two years and had begun experiencing problems...so where to go from here? I have been excercising and drinking plenty of water (as I have heard that it will help get the depo out of your system quicker) but it is just so depressing....because if i stop the pills i will have continuous-non-stop breakthrough bleeding....but if i stay on them it might put me even further back (meaning i will just have another hormone that will take forever to get out of my system)....so i guess i am just confused...

[malqahtani]

You need to talk to a good Gynecologist.  If you weren't getting periods before then the bleeding you are experiencing now may just be from the Depo withdrawl.  You really only need to be concerned if the blood is bright red, that means it's fresh blood.  If it's brown, maroon, or deep red then it's old blood.  Just keep in mind that you will have to go through this again when you plan to have more children.  Maybe you can get on a low dose pill.  Get an ultrasound done to see if there is more to this than meets the eye.  Good luck.

[AngieEMT]

I had problems with having no periods and then having non-stop bleeding. After years of dealing with it, they finally did a D&C on 12/1. My doctor is hoping it will help. It also served to allow the doc to "have a good look around in there." If you are having problems, I think it might be better to see a regular gynecologist. If you can't afford that, I would insist that they explain things to you until you understand. If money is an issue, you might check into early start/medicaid at you local dept of Job and Family Services.(assuming you are in the US) They generally cover the child and parent. That would pay 100% for you to see a regular gynecologist. Good Luck!