Birth Control Pills and PMS

LATeagno
LATeagno Posts: 620 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
OK, honest question here, ladies. I'm sitting here at the computer this morning on the brink of tears. My skin is usually clear and over the last four days or so, I've gotten this AWFUL acne all over my chin. Like massive, bright red, under-the-skin, feels-like-someone-punched-me zits. The kind that take ages to go away *sigh*

Over the same period of time, I've also gained 5 lbs. mysteriously, despite sticking to my eating regimen religiously. Each day has brought with it a 1.5 - 2 lb. gain. Today was no exception. I know it's water weight, because I definitely haven't eaten enough to accumulate that much fat, and it's not muscle because I'm not doing any workouts other than light cardio.

So basically, I'm having crazy PMS. Yesterday was my last "active" birth control pill-- I'm now on placebos for the next seven days. I've been on the same pill for three years-- and before that i was on another pill for two.

Does anyone else experience crazy PMS in their last active week of pills? Like your body seems to "know" you will be having a period? And even with that, isn't the pill supposed to stop you from having a "real" period? Like-- no ovulation to make all these crazy symptoms happen?

So frustrated. I'd love to see if anyone else has this happen...

Replies

  • clockworkgeisha
    clockworkgeisha Posts: 48 Member
    Yep, I totally PMS a good 2/3 days before my last pill of the month, and sometimes I'll even start bleeding a day early too. I asked the nurse about it, she says it's cool and I'm covered contraceptionwise, but it did confuse me, as like you I figured my hormones would be more regulated by the pill!

    I can always tell when I'm in PMS mode - it's the only time of the month I really NEED chocolate. I can do without it, normally.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member

    ... isn't the pill supposed to stop you from having a "real" period? Like-- no ovulation to make all these crazy symptoms happen?


    Yes it does stop u from having a "real" period (except if you ovulate by chance in which case it is a real period) but depending on which pulls you have, it might have the same hormones in it that cause PMS in non birth control women. It's also possible it didn't stop you from ovulating this time and hence you're getting full on PMS.
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    Consider switching pills, I take it you're on a multiphastic pill...(hormone dose changes each week). Try a pill wherr the dose us the same all month with less placebo days. Did wonders for me and I typically have pmdd.
  • LATeagno
    LATeagno Posts: 620 Member
    Consider switching pills, I take it you're on a multiphastic pill...(hormone dose changes each week). Try a pill wherr the dose us the same all month with less placebo days. Did wonders for me and I typically have pmdd.

    I'm actually not on a multi-phasic, which is so weird. I take Ortho-Cept.
  • LATeagno
    LATeagno Posts: 620 Member
    Yep, I totally PMS a good 2/3 days before my last pill of the month, and sometimes I'll even start bleeding a day early too. I asked the nurse about it, she says it's cool and I'm covered contraceptionwise, but it did confuse me, as like you I figured my hormones would be more regulated by the pill!

    I can always tell when I'm in PMS mode - it's the only time of the month I really NEED chocolate. I can do without it, normally.


    So glad it isn't just me then. I mean I'm having straight up PMS right now, complete with the awful acne, mood swings and water weight gain. Gosh I hate being a girl sometimes.
  • LATeagno
    LATeagno Posts: 620 Member

    ... isn't the pill supposed to stop you from having a "real" period? Like-- no ovulation to make all these crazy symptoms happen?


    Yes it does stop u from having a "real" period (except if you ovulate by chance in which case it is a real period) but depending on which pulls you have, it might have the same hormones in it that cause PMS in non birth control women. It's also possible it didn't stop you from ovulating this time and hence you're getting full on PMS.


    VERY good to know. This actually might explain why I sometimes-- but not always-- get sore breasts on the pill. It's usually only one or two months a year, but it always freaks me out and makes me think I'm pregnant. Gah!

Categories