TOM Issues! Confused.
 

Ok, I am not sure if this is the section I need to be in but here goes.

I take a bc pill (Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo). The pill is the best option for me, and I cannot take the "full strength" ones. They throw my hormones way out of wack & make my anxiety horrendous.

Anywhoooo - I have been on this particular pill for about a year. The whole time on it, I could set my watch to my period. Literally got it same day/same spot in my pack, same time every single cycle! Cool.

Well, I was at the beach Saturday (just my luck) & I woke up and had started my TOM. I was thinking, "What the $*%^?!". It was literally almost a week and a half early!!! So not only was I pissed to be at the beach, having my TOM, had only brought a WHITE bikini (of course, right?! lol), but now I am concerned.

I take my pill every day. I am NOT forgetful, ever, when it comes to that. I take it at virtually the same time every day (within a 2 hour window, max - and that's only if I am very busy at work).

So I am wondering, what could have caused this? It wasn't just spotting. It was full blown :( Only things that have really changed are my diet & acitivity level. I don't think I am particularly stressed about anything? Idk.

Has anyone ever had this happen?

Dieting can make hormones go haywire, and I see no reason why being on the pill should make that less likely to happen.

My guess would also be diet & exercise, because that's what has changed, but it could (in theory) be something more serious. I don't think one isolated event is something you should be concerned with unless there are other unusual issues associated with it (there's more or different pain or bleeding than a typical TOM for you, or if it lasts longer).

However, if you continue to see pattern changes, then you probably should see your doctor, just to rule out anything serious.

I agree. Changes in your eating and exercise patterns can affect your hormones even when on the pill. I have been taking a different pill for many years. Always very regular just like you. The last couple of cycles I have started TOM early - and full blown, not just spotting. My OB/GYN says this can happen with any version of the pill at any time. Our body sometimes just has a mind of its own. He gave me an estrogen pill that I could take to stop it if it happened again. But luckily I have not had any issues since seeing him. So hopefully yours will correct itself as well - especially since you are hormone senstive. Hope that helps...........

Thank you ladies. I am going to the dr's for something unrelated tomorrow, so I will bring it up while I am there. I just didn't know if exercise/diet changes could do that... I have had it STOP/go away for a couple months from being more active... but never start early.. lol.

Originally Posted by nikkinouille:
Only things that have really changed are my diet & acitivity level.

That will do it! Change in diet and activity level can mess up your TOM. Like i just had surgery the end of May and only got TOM 2 weeks ago for 3 days and feels like i'm getting it again. Go figure....joys of being a woman ;)

A few summers ago, when I started running every day after a lifetime of no physical activity, I started getting my periods every three weeks for awhile. It died down eventually! But if you're already going to the doctor, it doesn't hurt to bring it up.

Well - went to the drs yesterday. She said that sometimes these things happen & for now, not to stress over it. She told me that if it continues to happen, we might need to try a different pill. Sounds easy enough.