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Mentrual Cylce
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MrsGerbrian posted:
I just recently switched from the Depo Provera to Reclipsen BCP about 3 weeks ago. I was on the depo shot for a little over a year without having a Menstrual Cycle. How long should I expect until I start my cycle again?
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear MrsGerbrian: The reason women on DepoProvera often do not have periods is as follows. Simply stated, if the uterine lining is like grass or lawn, estrogen is like the fertilizer (causes a thickening of the lining) and progesterone is like the lawnmower (keeps the lining thin by three different mechanisms). This is why DepoProvera (high dose synthetic progesterone) brings about a thin lining, and why birth control pills (relatively progesterone dominant) bring about shorter, lighter periods. There is less lining to be shed.

Your new birth control pill (BCP) still contains contains synthetic progesterone but it also contains 30 micrograms of estrogen. Thus you should be having more of a flow after the first month or so of using the BCP. It can take a while for the lining to regrow--especially if it is very thinned out. If you are still without a flow after pack number three (and you want to have more of a flow) contact your GYN or clinic. They can change the brand or formulation of your BCP to create more of a flow.

Yours,
Jane
 
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MrsGerbrian replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Thank you Jane, I appreciate your response and it is helpful. My lining is pretty thin, per my OB/GYN. I have three children and I've always had a normal Menstrual Cycle.

I had another question, I had the Mirena IUD inserted back in 2006 after my first born. I only had it in for 9 months and got it removed because of some very sharp pains on my left ovary. My OB/GYN scheduled an ultrasound and they found nothing.

Til this day, I am curently having the same pains, but it's worst now. Everytime I use the restroom( urinate or Bowel movement) after I'm done, I can never stand up straight because of the intense pain. I am literally hunched over, almost in a fetal position. I know something is not normal. I had a c-section for my third child, I was thinking scar tissue, but this seems way worst than just that. Thank you for listening.
 
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP replied to MrsGerbrian's response:
Dear MrsGerbrian: I would wonder the same thing, that is internal scar tissue ("adhesions") on the left side from the C-section. Often, if pelvic pain is from endometriosis, the thinning out of uterine lining tissue from DepoProvera effects will shrink active endometriosis implants as well. Yet you mention that is pain has been consistent and escalating even during the year of no flow on Depo.

Given the severity of the pain this is something that should be evaluated by your GYN. An ultrasound can image ovarian cysts or masses, but does not show adhesions or endometriosis. A laproscopic surgery is needed to look directly inside the pelvis.

One last thought. Upon bearing down to void or stool one does a modified "Valsalva maneuver". Pain elicited by bearing down can sometimes be a marker for impingement on a nerve in the spine by a disc--- or other neurologic condition.

Hope you can get an accurate diagnosis as this pain sounds very disabling.

Yours,
Jane


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