Question:
PreWLS=very regular periods; now post-op they've gone PSYCHO!
Ladies...all my life I've been regular like the clock on my wall. Three days a month, nothing too painful, usually one heavy day with a few lights days on either side. I had surgery in march, 05, and got my period the day of surgery. No problem. The next one, however, came early and with a vengeance. I'm sorry to get detailed here, but I'm talking soaking through tampons and 2 pads within an hour. So i had periods like that for about 3 months, then finally went to GYN and was put on BC pills. Started BC pills about 3 weeks ago, the sunday after I'd started my period, per the instructions. Two weeks after I started the pills ... boom..got another period. It's not AS strong, but pretty close, and has lasted over a week already, while I'm on BC. Sorry for the loooong winded post, but can anyone shed any light on this for me? It's driving me crazy, and seriously burdening my quite frankly blooming (thanks to WLS) sex-life! Thanks girls. — ro mama (posted on July 27, 2005)
July 27, 2005
Hi - I was getting flashbacks reading your email. I had lap RNY on 11-11-03
- same deal as yours my period started the day of surgery and for several
months - I would say close to a year my periods were every 2 weeks and
heavy.
My Dr told me that we do not absorb the birth control pill, so I switched
to two others and now I am on the depo shot.
Things seem normal since the depo (after 4 months).
I mentioned the bleeding to Dr's and they were not sure why this was
happening.
Good luck - Michelle
— Michelle S.
July 27, 2005
I keep reading about how after WLS, hormones tend to go a little haywire...
I've even seen something about estrogen being carried in fat?
Everytime I read about people having monthly problems post-op, I shake my
head, because for me it has been the COMPLETE ABSOLUTE opposite! I had
some major issues prior to surgery... a part of it caused by problems with
my thyroid, but even after starting on synthroid still had major bleeding
that lasted for days, weeks, even months... it was wild. I was about to
become anemic, it was so bad. Biopsies discovered nothing thank God, and
after I started the BC pill things got a little better... but sorry, I'm
getting long-winded here. Long story short. AFTER surgery I'm now Ms.
Regularity. It is probably the one benefit that's made me the happiest
after surgery.
Anyway, someone already told you that BC pills won't be very effective as
they are not absorbed the same anymore. So maybe the patch or shots are a
better choice for you...?
GOOD LUCK and I hope you get this resolved! Believe me... I KNOW HOW YOU
FEEL!!!
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
— [Deactivated Member]
July 27, 2005
You likely won't absorb the pill enough for that to be effective for you.
You might check into the patch. Depo is something some women like but I've
heard a lot of women complain about weight gain, so for me, I'd avoid it
like the plague.
Estrogen is indeed stored in fat and you will likely have some hormonal
issues while you lose weight. I had PCOS and was very irregular prior to
surgery but went all over the place for about the first year. I had really
long periods, short periods, long time between, short time between, heavy
heavy HEAVY and light ones. I have appeared to settle into a fairly
regular cycle for about the last 6 months or so and I'm about 16 months
post op. I think once the majority of your weight is off your hormones
should start to level out a little. There are always variables, but this
has just been my experience. At least you know it's somewhat normal!
— Dinka Doo
July 27, 2005
I also had a similar experience. When I talked to my PCP about it, she said
that estrogen is stored in fat cells so by losing weight so rapidly, I was
actually releasing all kinds of estrogen that made my hormones go haywire.
I started using the NuvaRing and I absolutely love it. Although this month
I did get a light, two-day period in the middle of my cycle, then when it
was time to have my period...nothing. So I think my hormones aren't exactly
back to normal yet, and it's been a year in May since my surgery, but then
I never really was regular either. So I'm not sure what is going on, but
when I first had my surgery my periods were really heavy. And it has gotten
much lighter now since I am on the NuvaRing, and since time has passed. So
although it is probably driving you nuts now, it will probably get better
as time passes and your hormones level off. Best wishes for health and
happiness.
— Donna F.
July 27, 2005
Thanks ladies for your helpful responses. Last night I was actually crying,
so frustrated with what has now become a week and a half of my period that
wasn't even due to be here yet. I don't know why it didn't dawn on me that
I may not absorb the bc pill. Duh. Absorption is an issue for us in every
other regard so that makes perfect sense. I will cautiously look into the
depo shot, tried in college once and spotted the whole time, so never went
back for a second shot. But I see that I could have a very different
experience with it now. Thanks so much!
— ro mama
July 27, 2005
I also had WLS in March. And had crazy periods. Thought it would regulate
when I started my BC pills. But I got my period at the wrong time, which
told me the pill wasn't working! I started the Nuva ring and things calmed
down. Had my period for the first 2 weeks straight! But now, the past 2
cycles have been a breeze and predictable as it should be. Real light, no
pain and at the right time! Who could ask for more?!? Ask you gyn asap.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 28, 2005
Sorry, I had the opposite experience. Between having a major surgery and
then starting BCPs, your body likely just needs to adjust. I know, not the
greatest answer. One question: Have you thought about getting an IUD? The
Mirena IUD release small amounts of progesterone directly into the uterus,
which reduces the amount of blood flow and the severity of cramps. I had it
for a few years (I've since had a tubal) and I loved it. There is a website
specific to the Mirena IUD and there are several factors that need to be
taken into consideration before you get one: are you monagamous? IUDs do
not protect against STDs. Also, one of the big myths about IUDs is that you
have to have had a child before you get one, which is BS--- if you are in
the right situation with regards to your relationship, the IUD may be for
you.
— lizinPA
July 28, 2005
It takes about two months(atleast) for BC to regulate your periods. At
first BC can make you bleed more or more frequently. This has been my
experience. Good Luck.
— Jacqueline K.
July 28, 2005
For everyone reading along, I was just doing a little online research for
depo provera shot..and read this: "Studies released in 2004 show that
Depo Provera is associated with a loss of bone density resulting in an
increased risk of osteoporosis. The bone loss appears not to be reversed
when the woman goes off Depo Provera." It was actually in bold, and
alarmed me given that as WLS patients we are already at higher risk for
osteoporosis as we may not be absorbing enough calcium. So, this kind of
red flagged that option for me, though I still plan to discuss it with my
doctor. Just wanted to put this info out there...thanks!
— ro mama
July 28, 2005
I had surgery in august of 2003...afterwards I had massive bleeding every
2 weeks for a couple months and then went to see my Gyne. He lowered my
birth control dose...and everything has been good since then. Since
everything has been the same as it was prior to surgery...regulated to a
period every 3 months or so..I know that the pills are working. He said
that since my body was going through some major changes and releasing more
hormones...we just had to adjust the dose. All has been weel now for over
a year and a half.
— AjAngelll
July 28, 2005
I'm not a medical expert but I always read all the stuff I see and I
remember not too long ago seeing something on that some researchers are
beginning to think that fat cells do not just sit around as only passive
store houses, but that they also have a huge role in the release and
storage of hormones in the body. So it would seem reasonable that our
cycles would get off. (I'm 12 days postop and my period came while in
hospital also. It should have waited a few more days, but I'm never been
regular enough to ever question when I'm off by a couple days.)
— Jenny X.
July 28, 2005
It's not abnormal for your cycle to go psycho post any significant weight
loss. Fat releases ESTROGEN which makes your period wacko. (yes, I like
to use technical terms- LOL) But, the BC pill prob won't do much for you,
being that no one knows exactly HOW MUCH of pills we absorb. Try the BC
patch when you're at a weight that's right for it or the Nuova ring or ONLY
IF YOU'RE NOT PLANNING ON TRYING FOR MORE KIDS ANY TIME IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS
OR SO...the depo drovera shot. DO be an informed consumer on Depo tho- and
read up on it before you choose it.
— LMCLILLY
Click Here to Return