Expert: Norman Solberg - 8/26/2010

Question
Hello,


Firstly, I want to say I am a US citizen currently working in Kathmandu, Nepal.  I am a patient w/ Planned Parenthood and would normally contact them, but it is very difficult due to my current location.  I will be returning to the US on Sept. 20th and am hoping I can find resolution to this problem as I really don't want to have to visit a gynecologist here!!


I have been on Cyclessa for around 3 years with no problems.  My last period begin on Aug. 19 and ended on the 22nd and was completely normal.  I started my new pill packet on the 22nd.  However, on the 23rd I began to bleed again and lost a lot of blood for me (about 7-8 mL, rough estimate) and have been bleeding ever since the 23rd, and bleeding heavy for me ( my periods are always very light).  My labia was very sensitive at first but that is now becoming less sensitive.

Some more information you may need to know:
~I am 28 years old.
~Never been pregnant, never had an abortion.
~I have not had intercourse for over 1 year so there is no chance of pregnancy.
~I have never had an abnormal pap smear.
~I had intestinal parasite and took antibiotics August 2-6
~I have not had a very nutritious diet here and am probably not getting enough protein or calcium.


I hope you can offer some insight so that I do not have to visit a gynocologist here.  I look forward to your response and thank you so very, very much for your help.

Answer
Hi Jessika,
Sometimes women who have been on the pill for some time will develop bleeding due to the very thin uterine lining that the pill produces.  I suspect that's what is happening with you.  If that's so, then going off the pill for a month or so will usually solve the problem.  Remember that if you go off the pill, your next normal period often comes a week or 2 late.  Best wishes.