Irregular Periods After Starting Progestin-Only Birth Control: What to Expect

Question
Hi Diane,

I'm 21 and on my third month of taking birth control pills.  I take progestin only pills because I have migraines with visual symptoms and therefore can't take the pills containing estrogen.  My first two periods were fairly normal, but they lasted a little longer, started out light and got heavy (which is opposite of how they normally are), and the cycle length was shorter.  However, this past period was very strange.  I barely bled at all and it lasted for a week.  Now, five days later I have my period again.  It is heavier and I feel sick and strange.  There's really no other way to describe it.  I have cramps and stuff, which would be normal, except I just don't feel right.  I feel really weak and tired and nauseous.  I'm not sure if it just a weird birth control thing or if I should really be worried. Please help. Thank you!

Answer
Dear Lorelei,

Thanks for your question. I have to ask you if you are sexually active because you really didn't say. If you are, then it is possible that you are pregnant. Or it could be a side effect of the birth control pills, since they are hormonal. So I suggest that you get a free pregnancy test just to see. You can find a place to get a free test by going to this website http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Contact the pregnancy center closest to you and find out how to get the free test. Let me know what happens. You can email me privately at CHERYL51@aol.com

Hope to hear from you soon.

Diane Cheryl