Side effects or pregnancy?

[saturnine]

For a year now, I have been on Apri, skipping sugar pills, and only getting my period four times a year. At first it was GREAT, I had no issues with break through bleeding, and my body seemed to accept the new routine pretty well. But then when I would get my period, it felt worse than when I was getting them every month. I told my gyno, and she switched me to Nortrel, same routine. I've been on Nortrel for about six weeks now.

Both on Apri and Nortrel, I've had probably one or two pills that I took an hour later than usual. My boyfriend and I use condoms every time, and I'd like to think we're pretty careful.

What are my concerns, then? I've gained all this weight in my stomach..I look pregnant. Silly, I know. My breasts are slightly fuller, the nipples themselves are tender. I have rather large nipples and small breasts so pain is sort of hard to pin down, but I'm pretty sure it's just the nipples. The areolas MIGHT be a little darker, but if anything, the nipples themselves seem to be the darkest. Being that my pill situation is such that I don't get periods, that's not a very accurate marker for me. I'm not due for another period for another 3 weeks. I've been on many different types of birth control for a period of about eight years now, and I've never had these breast symptoms.

Anyway, any opinions? I know my chances are slim, but I'm just wondering if this weight gain and breast changes are side effects of Nortrel, or pregnancy. Thanks in advance.

[NurseNatashia]

I have a theory about the belly weight gain and skipping periods. I have been skipping my periods for 8 months now, and have gained 15 pounds mostly in my belly as well. I believe that skipping periods and thus not going through the natural cycle of menstruation tricks the body into thinking you are going through menopause, making it more difficult to loose weight and even causing weight gain (the type of weight gain that would be expected in menopause). I have increased my exercise and have a clean protein based diet. I am lacking a bit on sleep, which could contribute a little to the weight issue, but the scale won't budge. It doesn't make sense. Anyhow, I am looking at this as a temporary problem. That it is something that can be figured out and fixed. I am going to allow my body to have periods again for a few months and see if the weight falls off, with changing no other behaviors other than the manner in which I take my current monophasic bc. I will keep you ladies updated, as I am sure inquiring minds will want to know. Skipping periods may not be good to do for long periods of time.

[saturnine]

Well I took an HPT this morning anyway and it's negative. So that puts my mind at ease...now if I don't get a period when I'm supposed to (weeks from now) I might worry. But for now this has satisfied me. Thanks for your help!

[gretchen36]

Maybe if you search it on the internet you can find out what's in the pill. They will normally have it listed on certain sights. You can try that too and see if you can find anything on the Apri.

[saturnine]

Well I no longer have the info for the Apri, so all I really know is that they're both monophasic. I'm not 100% sure but I thought the Nortrel was a lower dosage than Apri, because part of the reason I went off Apri was because it have me horrid migraines. Thanks for responding!

[gretchen36]

Is there much of a difference between the 2 types of pills as far as ingredients? That might help you figure out if maybe this is being caused by switching to the other form of birth control. It doesn't sound too likely that you would be pregnant if you used a back up method such as condoms when you took your pills a little later. I would compare the ingredients of the two and see if there are any major differences in the two. Like as far as estrogen levels. Hope this helps.