QuestionHi there.
Thank you for taking the time to read my question.
I am a 21 years old female and for the last little while have been experiencing a few different issues. My one issue is that since starting to menstruate (age 10), I have been prone to ovarian cysts. I have never had any removed, nor have I ever been told that I needed to. I have been on birth control pills since I was 14 with a couple breaks in between. My period has always been fairly light-moderate and always, ALWAYS on time and lasted about 5 days. In the last 4 years or so my period started arriving later and later. At this point, the last pill I take is Saturday night and only on the next Thursday or Friday does my period arrive. I usually would have to start back on the bill and still have my period. In the last 2 years or so, my period has only been about 3 days long, and very light. I have noticed that within the last couple of months, my period is almost non existent. It shows up, barely, and then stops sometimes within a day but usually lasts 2 days but is not constant, it can go 5,6,7,8 hours without any bleeding and then show up later. I barely need to use any product because it is so light. Please tell me if this seems normal, or if I should consult someone. With my history of ovarian cysts, I am starting to wonder if I may be infertile. Are there any other signs I could look for? Your help is very much appreciated as I am very, very stressed out about this matter.
Thank you again for your time,
Amanda (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
AnswerHello Amanda from Canada,
First, don't worry about the ovarian cysts. Most ovarian cysts are benign and are physiologic cysts, which means they come and go. The birth control pill should suppress these. These cysts will not lead to infertility.
Second, it sounds like you may have changed birth control pills and the dosage has been reduced. 7 years ago, the lowest dose pill had 30 mcg of estrogen in it. Nowadays, the lowest dose pill has 25 mcg of estrogen (estradiol# in it. You can check by looking at the package. If it is a low dose pill, then it will not produce much of a uterine lining #endometrium), and so , there will be little to shed at the end of the cycle. Hence, light flow or sometimes, no flow. Just stay on schedule. This is normal. If it is too worrisome for you, then you could ask your gynecologist to use a slightly higher estrogen dose pill.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf
