QuestionDr. Solberg:
I am using birth control pills for endometriosis.
It has worked fairly well for about 5 years - periods regular and not alot of pain. (I am 45) Sometimes my period will break through like the 2nd or 3rd week. One time it did after I took a hard fall. I don't know what to do so I just stop the pill wait for 7 days and then start them again. I don't know if this is the right thing to do but; I am in the moving process and will get to a doctor as soon as I can but right now I can't.
I take Ortho-cept. (This sort of pill I believe is supposed to contain the same amount in each pill for 3 weeks???, it is not like the ortho-tri-cycline I have also taken before.)
But also sometimes when I have tried the generics for ortho-cept it also causes me to break through early. I don't know what to do... I feel my body is a mess right now. They say these pills are all the same but I certainly don't believe them. Any direction you could offer would help.
thank you.
AnswerHi Leah,
It sounds to me like you're doing pretty well, at least not having a lot of pain. When your period seems to break through, I would just stop the pill for 4 days and re-start. That's usually enough time for the period to come.
You're correct that Ortho-cept has the same amount of ingredients in each pill. And although generics are supposed to be identical, I don't think that's always true.
I think that the pill is good to suppress endometiosis, and the best way it can do that is by taking it continuously. So you might try taking an active pill every day, and if your period is breaking through, stop for 4 days and then re-start taking an active pill every day. On the other hand, I think you're doing pretty well the way you are. Best wishes. (I have a daughter named Leah, so I'm very partial to your name).
