Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Last Reply:
Includes Expert Content
What does it mean?
avatar
lioness_5688 posted:
Hi,

I am 24 years old and have been on birth control since age 17. I was on the patch for 5 1/2 years and had a regular period like clockwork every month. Last year at age 22 I switched to the pill (Nortrel) and my period has been irregular ever since. About once or twice or year, I miss a cycle. This past month, I spotted for 5 days and never had a normal flow. I am 5'6'' and weigh 114 lbs. I have never weighed more than 126 but last year I was 118 and lost 7 lbs but have since gained a few lbs. What could be the cause for this and could it in any way effect pregnancy for the future? I have never been pregnant nor had any STDs.

Thanks
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:What does it mean?Hi,<br /><br />I am 24 years old and have been on birth control since age 17. I was on the patch for 5 1/2 years and had a regular period like clockwork every month. Last year at age 22 I switched to the pill (Nortrel) and my period has been irregular ever since. About once or twice or year, I miss a cycle. This past month, I spotted for 5 days and never had a normal flow. I am 5'6'' and weigh 114 lbs. I have never weighed more than 126 but last year I was 118 and lost 7 lbs but have since gained a few lbs. What could be the cause for this and could it in any way effect pregnancy for the future? I have never been pregnant nor had any STDs.<br /><br />Thanks
Reply
 
avatar
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear lioness (love your screen name!): There are two types of Nortel birth control pilsl (BCPs). Both have 35 micrograms of synthetic estrogen. One has 1 mg of the synthetic progesterone and the other version has half that amount (0.5 mg). Forty years age a 35 mg estrogen BCP was considered low dose. Currently the 20 mg estrogen BCPs have that designation. Thus a 35 mg BCP is considered at the higher end of the range of low dose pills. My best GUESS as to why this BCP was chosen is that the OrthoEvra actually gives a somewhat higher blood level of estrogen so your GYN/clinic was possibly not wanting to change things up too much.

Given what you have shared, my best GUESS is that you might be experiencing breakthrough bleeding due to a change in the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your current BCPs. Alas, this is can be very common. It should not impact your future fertility as it is a common side effect for users of all types of hormonal birth control.

If your poor cycle control does not level out by the end of your third pack of Nortel go back to the GYN who prescribed your BCP. Usually a change in the brand or formulation (eg to the other version of Nortel) of a BCP will resolve the problem. As an aside, this erratic bleeding pattern should not interfere with your protection from pregnancy--this is just a terrific nuisance!

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:What does it mean?Dear lioness (love your screen name!): There are two types of Nortel birth control pilsl (BCPs). Both have 35 micrograms of synthetic estrogen. One has 1 mg of the synthetic progesterone and the other version has half that amount (0.5 mg). Forty years age a 35 mg estrogen BCP was considered low dose. Currently the 20 mg estrogen BCPs have that designation. Thus a 35 mg BCP is considered at the higher end of the range of low dose pills. My best GUESS as to why this BCP was chosen is that the OrthoEvra actually gives a somewhat higher blood level of estrogen so your GYN/clinic was possibly not wanting to change things up too much.<br /><br />Given what you have shared, my best GUESS is that you might be experiencing breakthrough bleeding due to a change in the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your current BCPs. Alas, this is can be very common. It should not impact your future fertility as it is a common side effect for users of all types of hormonal birth control.<br /><br />If your poor cycle control does not level out by the end of your third pack of Nortel go back to the GYN who prescribed your BCP. Usually a change in the brand or formulation (eg to the other version of Nortel) of a BCP will resolve the problem. As an aside, this erratic bleeding pattern should not interfere with your protection from pregnancy--this is just a terrific nuisance!<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
Reply
 
avatar
An_247467 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Hi Jane,

I have been on the Nortrel 7/7/7 0.5/0.035mg, 0.75/0.035 mg, and 1/0.0.35 mg for more than a year (I started it February 2011) before that I was on the Ortho Evra patch, then the Ortho Tri-cyclen pill for about 2 or 3 months. I started on Ortho Evra at the age of 17.

My doctor is sending me to a specialist to find out the issue because since switching to the pill I have only had about a handful of normal menstrual cycles.
Report This| Share this:What does it mean?Hi Jane,<br /><br />I have been on the Nortrel 7/7/7 0.5/0.035mg, 0.75/0.035 mg, and 1/0.0.35 mg for more than a year (I started it February 2011) before that I was on the Ortho Evra patch, then the Ortho Tri-cyclen pill for about 2 or 3 months. I started on Ortho Evra at the age of 17. <br /><br />My doctor is sending me to a specialist to find out the issue because since switching to the pill I have only had about a handful of normal menstrual cycles.
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

See Related Women's Health Communities

See All Communities

Featuring Experts

Profile
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP Expert
Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP, is a nurse practitioner and has been a practicing women's health care specialist for 15 years. She was on the facul...More

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

extended period
I have had a period for almost three weeks. The first week was normal with a lot of cramping. The second week was like when you are almost ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
46 of 96 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Expert Blog

Below the Belt: Women's Health - Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, RNP

From HPV to irregular periods to PMS to fibroids, Jane Harrison-Hohner, RN, is here to share her knowledge and insight...Read More

Related News

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.