Irregular Periods & Ortho Evra: What to Expect & When to Seek Help

Question
I HAVE A HISTORY OF HAVING AN IRREGULAR PERIOD.  I WAS TOLD BY MY GYNOCOLOGIST TO GET STARTED ON BIRTH CONTROL TO HELP REGULATE MY PERIOD.  WELL I DID START ORTHO EVRA(THE PATCH) TWO WEEKS AGO AS INSTRUCTED.  I STARTED THE FIRST DAY OF MY PERIOD WHICH WAS 3/19/04 AND I HAVE NOT STOPPED.  I AM NOT BLEEDING ALOT BUT I DO HAVE CRAMPS HERE AND THERE AND I AM STILL SPOTTING.  I WANTED TO KNOW IF I NEED TO STOP NOW OR IF I SHOULD JUST RIDE IT THROUGH AND SEE IF MY PERIOD STOPS ON ITS OWN.  I AM PRETTY WORRIED BECAUSE MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND WANT TO START A FAMILY VERY SOON AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL EFFECT MY CHANCES OF EVER GETTING PREGNANT.  IF YOU COULD HELP ME I WOULD REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Answer
Hi Sonya,
usually birth control is started the first sunday after your period. I would call my ob and tell him you started the first day of your period and see what he says, he may make you stop and let your period come on as usual and then restart or may know of some other way. Let me know what you do.