Question:
Has anyone had irregular periods (as a post-op) while ON the pill? I am almost 3 mos

post-op, and have had regular periods UNTIL now. Mine started a WEEK EARLY! I've been on the pill for years and years and never had that happen. Even worse, it's... oh, geez, this is graphic... but the bleeding looks "old," not new. (I'm sorry, that's disgusting!) Not the bright red tint it should have to it. Should I be concerned? Is it maybe because I'm not absorbing the b/c pills and therefore they're not regulating my periods normally? (Even when off the pill, though, I'm normally REGULAR.) Help! I'm not sure what I should do. TIA!    — Susan W. (posted on July 10, 2003)

July 10, 2003
luckly I didnt have this problem post... BUT my surgeon recommended 'condoms', in addition to b/c pills at least for the first year so you dont have any 'accidents'. Since this isn't normal for you, I would suggest you call your OB and let them decide.
   — star .

July 10, 2003
I had the exact same problem! I even know what you mean about the "old looking" blood. My gynocologist agreed that the pill wasn't being absorbed properly into my system. I have switched to the Ortho Evra Patch and have had great success. Other than my "scheduled" period I only get break-through bleeding for like one day a month. Switching from the pill to the patch was the second best decision I ever made. The first was my surgery.
   — klinzey

July 10, 2003
I agree to WATCH OUT - I had been on the pill for years - was told by both my surgeon and my OB/GNY that it was not safe to rely on the pill for birth control after surgery, as there could be no guarantee that it would be absorbed properly (might be, might not - but I wasn't willing to take that risk). If you are having irregular periods, I would suspect that you are not absorbing the pill properly, and I don't think you should rely on it for birth control. Examine other options!
   — johanniter