I'm not taking BC and when I first started IP my period was barely nothing... I started again and again barely anything... I am okay with this coming from someone who is normally heavy for several days. Interesting how this has changed my period hmmmm.... good thing I am not worried about getting pregnant or that would be pretty stressful.

Can't help with a medical reference. IMO, this is a question for an endocrinologist. The endocrine glands and hormones are interconnected and interdependent: pituitary, pineal, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, ovary/testes. A hormone from one gland creates a reaction in another gland which then adjusts its hormone, and so on.

If you alter what's going on with one, e.g. decreasing insulin release from the pancreas on IP, it's not surprising that something will happen with the other glands and the hormones they secrete.

Carla,
Have you considered the Paragard IUD? No hormones, so no chemicals. Just a thought.

My coach (when I had one), had an RN do our initial meeting and she said it was due to the extra estrogen released from the fat. Don't know if that's right or not..

I may look into that although, truthfully, I haven't been on birth control in nearly a decade and I like how I feel. I also haven't had any issues or scares. And, I wouldn't be unhappy having children.

My sisters are in the same place as me with their birth control sensitivity issues. They each have 2 children spaced 8 years apart, none of whom were surprises. Even my mother managed to have four of us 4 years apart and then none for 19 years after the youngest and, prior to her hysterectomy. It seems possible to be sexually responsible and to not need the added medication. Given how much better I feel and knowing I don't want any unnecessary medical risks, I might just leave well enough alone.

I'm in week 14 of IP. My period started today with 10 days of active pills left. Yay. That's the first time it happened this early (month 3 it was with 7 pills left and lasted for 8 days) and in consecutive months. Month 1 my period was longer than usual (10 days) and month 2 was normal with painful cramps.

I originally typed more but apparently forgot to hit post last time so I'm keeping this one short!

Well I too had an excruciatingly painful time this month so... you just never know when your body kicks in lol

Ain't that the truth lol!! I'm almost excited this time though cuz I've finally realized that each time this happens, I see a significant change in my body composition -- body fat percentage does a major drop, clothing size changes, and at the very end a decent number of pounds go away. I've flown through the 240s and can already see the changes in my body so I'm sure that's why my body is freaking out. After an extended stay in the 250s I will gladly take it!

Makes sense. the pain is because of the hormones going wild (being released from the fat FINALLY) so yeah, BRING IT! hahahaha

Okay, I'm on day 8 of the cycle that started early, with 2 birth control pills left in my current pack. (My TOM should've been next week but it started last week when I had 10 pills remaining.)

Now I'm wondering if I should go ahead and start my next pack of pills on Sunday instead of being off for a week. I usually have the most cravings the week I don't take the pill so I think it might be a good way to avoid that. But who knows? I'm just typing out loud here.

I don't know. I might call the gyno and ask her or her nurse practitioner/PA/nurse.

I know it is a pain to have your cycle changing and doing weird things. Boy do I know, I just had mine 2x this month and both are 10days

am not on BCP so I can't skip it the next time. Even if I were, I just hate to interfere with what my body might be trying to correct or change. Just me and what I am thinking for my body. If I were on BCP, I might talk to the doctor and get her feedback before making my decision.

There are women, who with their doctor's knowledge and okay, do back to back packages of BCPs. It depends on the pills and your body. I can't remember what the protocol is called. When I remember I'll edit the post so you can google it.

Thanks Carla! I may try to give them a call tomorrow and see if someone actually calls me back. Does PMS drive you crazy? I find myself very hormonal right now.... angry, sad, angry, angry. After a brief crying jag, everything/one gets on my nerves

LCW - I have in years past taken pills continuously for 3-4 months to prevent TOM from coming because it used to cause debilitating back pain (endometriosis). Since my body is kind of doing what it wants to right now anyway, I doubt it will make much difference. Or maybe it will get me back on schedule. Thanks for the feedback!

I was never regular before bc, so my gyno ok'd me to take two pill packs back to back, as it creates a more normal flowing time. Sometimes, when I need to make it convenient, I even take three, but usually my symptoms come on stronger and sooner that way, so two is good for me. It depends on your body and doctor, of course.

I am on my sugar pill week right now after three packs... although I have been spotting daily for the past three weeks, and today should (typically, non-dieting) be my heaviest day, I have nothing. Maybe it's over after three weeks! Either way, I'm going to do two packs this time and see if IP does anything different with that.

I realize I contributed no answers to anything here. Just my experience!

As a women's healthcare professional, I will just kick in here and say that so much depends on which pill you're taking, if you're taking it the same time every day, how long you've been on it for, etc. Back to backing OCP's has been around forever, and again, depends on your pill and your body as to what will happen. Very individual. Sorry no real answers, but your health care provider can help there, they know you best.